The Advent and Christmas Seasons:
Please note that the Book of Blessings contains the Particular Law for the Dioceses of the United States. Chapters 47, 48 and 49 contain the specific blessings and law for these Liturgical Seasons.

• “If the manger is set up in the Church, it must not be placed in the presbyterium. A place should be chosen that is suitable for prayer and devotion and is easily accessible to the faithful (#1544)
• The Blessing of Images of the Infant Jesus (A custom of Pope Benedict XVI) on the 4th Sunday of Advent is an adaptation of Chapter 36 of the Book of Blessings: Order for the Blessing of an Image of our Lord Jesus Christ
• The Gospel Reading at all Masses is to be proclaimed by either a deacon or a priest. With the exception of the reading/chanting of the Lord's Passion which occurs on Passion Sunday and also on Good Friday, which contains several options employing the use of multiple readers and voices and other readers who are not either deacons or priests, it is not permitted to have the Gospel (of the Nativity) proclaimed with multiple readers and voices. The Gospel is to be read (chanted) by either the Deacon or a Priest. (GIRM #109)
• Masses for Christmas for the traditional sequence: Vigil Mass, Mass at Midnight, Mass at Dawn and Mass during the Day. Please refer to the Ordo for pastoral notes regarding the use of readings.
• The Sacramentary Supplement contains both the Proclamation of the Birth of Christ (Roman Martyrology) and the Proclamation of the Date of Easter on Epiphany. Each of these may be sung (or recited) at the appropriate times by a deacon, cantor or reader.

Click here to read a memo from Father Bob Webster regarding the 2012 Rite of Election.

In addition to all the Sundays of the year, the following Holy Days of Obligation are to be observed in the United States in 2012:

Wednesday, August 15, 2012 The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Thursday, November 1, 2012 The Solemnity of All Saints
Saturday, December 8, 2012 The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception
Tuesday, December 25, 2012 The Nativity of the Lord
In the Province of Miami, the Ascension of the Lord is observed on Sunday, May 20, 2012

The "Domino Effect" of the 3rd Edition of the Missal in English:
Please be aware that the proper responses to greetings, dialogues, and the revised Ritual Masses, are found in the 3rd Edition of the Missal. There have to be made some adjustments to our current Sacramental and Ritual Books:

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults
The Rite of Baptism for Children
The Rite of Confirmation
The Pastoral Care of the Sick
The Rite of Marriage (The Order of Celebrating Marriage is to be published next)
The Order of Christian Funerals

The Misal Romano:Orlando Liturgical Conference 2013: Thursday, June 20 - Saturday, June 22, 2013
"Many Languages, One Voice"

Another great Conference is being planned for you and your people! Please mark your calendars now and note that we have moved the conference dates from August to June! The Orlando Liturgical Conference will once again take place at the Orlando Airport Marriott.The Bishops will soon be voting upon which translation of the Spanish text will be used in the United States. It is anticipated that the use of this new translation will be introduced on the First Sunday of Advent in either 2013. It might be prudent not to purchase any editions of the Misal Romano at this point in time unless it is absolutely necessary. Parishes and priests may only use the Mexican translation of the Misal Romano in the USA

The use of Sunday Celebrations in the Absence of a Priest:
The use of this ritual text is solely at the direction of the Bishop (#8, 10 and 14). Before the use of this ritual, permission must be given by the Bishop or one of the Vicars General.

Mass Stipends and Mass Intentions:
Only a single paid and published Mass intention can be made for a Celebration of the Eucharist. Please refer to Canons 946, 947 and 948. Separate Masses are to be applied for each offering. At a concelebrated Mass there may be intentions equal to the number of concelebrating priests.

Use of Ordinary and Extra-Ordinary Ministers of Holy Communion:
Just a simple reminder that Extra Ordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (EMHC) should only be used when there are not sufficient priests and deacons (Ordinary Ministers of Holy Communion) present at the Mass. (GIRM #162) Priests, distributing the Body of Christ, and deacons, distributing the Blood of Christ, take precedence over all EMHC in the distribution of Holy Communion.

Holy Communion under Both Kinds:
Holy Communion (in the Dioceses of the United States) can and should be offered under both kinds at any celebration of the Mass. The faithful should receive Holy Communion from hosts consecrated at the celebration of the Eucharist at which they participate (GIRM 85).

Regarding the Proper Use of Liturgical Books for Sunday and Weekday Masses:
The Following approved Liturgical Books in English are to be used for the celebration of the Liturgy:

• The Sacramentary (1985 edition)
• The Lectionary for Sunday Mass, Lectionary for Weekday Mass, and Lectionary for Ritual Masses (2002 editions)
• The Book of the Gospels (2000 edition)
• Order of Christian Funerals (1989)
• Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (1988)
• Rite of Baptism for Children (1970)
• Rite of Marriage (1970)
• Book of Blessings (1989)

Liturgical Books in Spanish:

The use of the Mexican translations of the Misal Romano and the Leccionario are properly used in the United States for the Celebration of Mass. These books, published by the Mexican Conference of Bishops, are available through Liturgical Press.

Click to download the pdf version.

WHY IS YAHWEH REMOVED FROM OUR HYMNALS?

The Jewish people would never pronouce the name of God aloud or in writing. In writing, they would remove the vowels and only the consonants would remain. When others did not adhere to this respectful tradition, they re-added the vowels (this was in Hebrew) and the "name of God" would either be Yahweh or Jehovah. Pope Benedict XVI, with a keen sense of our Judeo-Christian heritage has pronounced that, in keeping with this respectful Hebrew tradition, that the name of God would not be spoken aloud in Catholic worship as well. It has not been removed from just our hymnals, it is not allowed in the proclamation of the Hebrew Scriptures at Mass as well. Pope Benedict did this of his own accord.

 PURIFICATION OF VESSELS AT MASS

The following memo from Bishop Wenski was mailed to all priests, deacons, and directors of liturgy.

The 2002 edition of the General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) stipulated that the purification of vessels at Mass be done by the priest, deacon, or an instituted acolyte. (No. 278)

Because of the common practice in this country of giving communion under both species at large Masses with many extraordinary ministers, the bishops of the United States at that time requested permission for extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion to assist in purifying vessels.  In response, that same year the Congregation for Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments granted an indult permitting bishops “to grant celebrants the faculty to permit extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion to assist with the purification of sacred vessels after the distribution of Communion at Mass.” (Prot. 1382/01/L)

That indult was granted for a period of three years.  When the indult expired in 2005, the American bishops requested that it be extended or made permanent.  However, after consultation with Pope Benedict XVI, it seemed advisable for the Congregation of Divine Worship not to extend the indult, and thus to have the universal law apply also to the United States of America.

Beginning with the First Sunday of Advent in 2006, the Diocese of Orlando will conform to the universal law of the Church. Priests serving in the Diocese of Orlando must see to it that all sacred vessels are purified by a priest, deacon, or instituted acolyte.  Hopefully returning to the broader practice of the universal Church in our country may better illustrate the servant nature of the ordained ministry as well as the dignity of the Blessed Sacrament. 

This may cause some difficulty in parishes with large congregations that distribute Holy Communion under both species, especially when no deacon or instituted acolyte is available. 

Several pastoral options are possible: 

• The GIRM permits that vessels be purified either after communion or after Mass.  Priests, deacons and/or instituted acolytes may find it more convenient to do so after Mass.

In any case, all of the Precious Blood that remains should be consumed at the end of communion.  Extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, as is the custom presently, may consume any of the Precious Blood that remains after communion.

• The distribution of Holy Communion under only one species (the consecrated Bread) is a legitimate option when the proper purification of the sacred vessels can not be otherwise provided for.
• Also, the use of intinction is still a legitimate option (provided that Holy Communion in this form is received only on the tongue and never in the hand). Nevertheless, intinction since it is no longer a familiar practice here in the United States would require some prior catechesis.  Also, in larger celebrations of the Mass, intinction would not reduce the numbers of vessels to be purified. 

As I have stated in previous communications, the choice to distribute Holy Communion under one or both kinds remains at the discretion of the parish priest.

Download the Spanish version of this memo in pdf format here...

 

Five Questions on the Distribution of Holy Communion from the Tabernacle

Over the years, the Secretariat for the Liturgy has addressed the question of the distribution of Holy Communion from the tabernacle on numerous occasions. In the light of the more recent urgings of the General Instruction of the Roman Missal and the instruction Redemptionis Sacramentum, the following questions and answers are provided as a resource to our readers.

1. Should Holy Communion be regularly distributed from the tabernacle?
No. The General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) makes clear that “it is most desirable that the faithful, just as the priest himself is bound to do, receive the Lord’s Body from hosts consecrated at the same Mass and that, in the instances when it is permitted, they partake of the chalice,2 so that even by means of the signs Communion will stand out more clearly as a participation in the sacrifice actually being celebrated.”3

2. How is the participation of the faithful more clearly expressed by the reception of hosts consecrated at the same Mass?
This participation is manifested in the two great processions of the faithful at Mass.4 In the presentation of the gifts first, the faithful present the bread and wine for the sacrifice. Along with the gift of their very lives. The very same bread and wine which they have offered is them consecrated by the action of the Priest and returned to them as the Body and Blood of their Lord when they come forward in procession to receive Holy Communion.

3. What is the primary purpose of reserving consecrated hosts in the tabernacle?
consecrated hosts are reserved in the tabernacle for the administration of viaticum, the communion of the sick and adoration of the Most Holy Eucharist outside Mass.5

4. What are the roots of the preference for the distribution of hosts consecrated at the same Mass?
In 1742, Pope Benedict XIV urging the promotion of frequent reception of Holy Communion, highlights the reception of Holy Communion consecrated at the same Mass when “one and the same sacrifice is shared” by the priest and the faithful.6 This teaching was echoed by Pope Pius XII in his 1947 encyclical on the liturgy, commending those who “when present at Mass, receive hosts consecrated at the same Mass, so that it is actually verified, ‘that as many of us, as, at this altar, shall partake of and receive the most holy body and blood of thy Son, may be filled with every heavenly blessing and grace’ (Encyclical letter Mediator Dei, no. 121). The Fathers of the Second Vatican Council thus taught: “that more complete form of participation in the Mass by which the faithful, after the priest’s communion, receive the Lord’s body from the sacrifice, is strongly endorsed.”7

2 Cf. GIRM, no. 283; Norms for the Distribution and Reception of Holy Communion Under Both Kinds in theDioceses of the United States of America.
3 GIRM, no. 85; cf. Eucharisticum Mysterium, nos. 31, 32, and Immensae Caritatis, pp. 267-268.
4 Cf. GIRM, no. 44
5 Cf. Holy Communion and Worship of the Eucharist Outside Mass (HCWEOM), no. 7, Eucharisticum Mysterium
#49
6 Certiores Effecti, no. 7
7 Sacrosanctum Concilium, no. 55
55

5. How can this goal be practically achieved?
Pastors who have implemented this provision advise that the first step is the acceptance of the ideal of enabling the faithful to receive hosts consecrated in the same Mass.8 The training of sacristans, ushers, greeters and other ministers in determining the approximate size of the congregation has also been helpful in this regard.9

 

SUGGESTED PRAYERS FOR THE FAITHFUL

English Marriage

For Catholic marriages and non-Catholic marriages; may we uphold the union of one man and one woman in marriage as sacred in God's eyes and respected by our society, we pray to the Lord.

English Destructive Embryonic Experimentation

For the unborn; may human embryos be protected from experimentation in our society and throughout the whole world, we pray to the Lord.

THE USE OF MUSTUM AND LOW-GLUTEN HOSTS AT MASS
The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments have been trying to resolve the difficulties that some of the faithful encounter in receiving Holy Communion when for various reasons they are unable to consume normal bread and wine. New norms have recently been issued regarding the use of mustum (grape juice in which fermentation has begun) and low-gluten hosts (made solely of wheat with only enough gluten to effect the confection of bread).

The congregation reminds the faithful that those who are unable to receive Holy Communion under the species of “bread” may receive Holy Communion under the species of “wine” alone. This is an important reason that Holy Communion be offered under both species at all Masses celebrated. While it had previously been only under the authority of the local bishop to permit the use of mustum and low gluten-hosts, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith has granted that the provision of this may now be granted to pastors (Canon 137.1).

Since there is a distinction made between clergy and the faithful in the use of mustum and low-gluten hosts, the Chart provided by the Bishop’s Committee on the Liturgy is reprinted in this edition of Praenotanda. The documentation for this is found in the November 2003 edition of the BCL Newsletter which may be found either at the USCCB website or on request from the Office of Liturgy.Ω

 

CLARIFICATION ON CHANGING OR MODIFYING SACRAMENTAL RECORDS: 

On September 30, 2000 the National Conference of Catholic Bishops (now the USCCB) was granted recognitio by the Congregation for Bishops for the following Complementary Norm:

The National Conference of Catholic Bishops, in accord with the prescription of canon 877 §3, hereby decrees that:

For children baptized after their adoption is finalized, the following information shall be entered into the register:

1. the Christian name(s) of the child as designated by the adoptive parent(s); the name(s) of the adoptive parent(s);
2. the date and place of birth;
3. the names of the sponsors selected by the adoptive parent(s);
4. the place and date of baptism;
5. the name of the minister performing the baptism; and
6. the fact of adoption but not the names of the natural parents.

Baptismal certificates issued by the parish for adopted children will be no different from other baptismal certificates.  No mention of the fact of adoption shall be made on the baptismal certificate.

For children baptized before their adoption is finalized, the following notations shall be added to the baptismal register, but only after the adoption has been finalized and with due regard for the civil law of the jurisdiction:

1. parentheses shall be placed around the names of the natural parents;
2. the name(s) of the adoptive parent(s) shall then be added
3. the child’s former surname shall also be parenthesized and the new surname added; and
4. a notation shall be made that the child was legally adopted.

Baptismal certificates issued by the parish for these individuals shall give only the name(s) of the adoptive parent(s), the child’s new legal surname, the date and place of baptism, and the name of the minister who conferred the sacrament.  The name(s) of the sponsor(s) shall not be given and no mention of the fact of adoption shall be made on the baptismal certificate.

THE COLD AND FLU SEASON: SIGN OF PEACE AND COMMUNION FROM THE CUP
From the Director of Liturgy, Father Bob Webster:

At this time of year numerous “suggestions” come into both the Bishop’s Office and the Office of Liturgy regarding the “health dangers” of the Sign of Peace and Holy Communion from the Cup. The news media has been especially vocal about flu shots, the lack of flu vaccine, and the increased threat of the flu this year. To this end, the following pulpit and bulletin announcement should be announced and published several times each during the coming months to assist in this matter:

The Sign of Peace and receiving Holy Communion from the Cup during the Cold and Flu Season:

Many people offer suggestions that during the winter months, when people are susceptible to colds and the flu, that certain elements of the Mass be omitted. Among these suggestions are to eliminate both the Sign of Peace and the offering of Holy Communion from the Cup. Such elements are integral in the celebration of the Rite of Communion. First and foremost, the virtue of prudence should be used on the part of all who participate in the Liturgy.

Holy Communion from the Cup:

Due to other medical conditions, many members of our congregations are only able to receive Holy Communion under the species of the Blood of Christ. It is suggested that you refrain from receiving Holy Communion from the Cup if:

• If your immune system is impaired for any reason
• If you have cold or flu symptoms
• If you have fears of contracting an illness

The Sign of Peace:

Since the General Instruction of the Roman Missal does not specify a particular manner of offering a sign of peace, and since even under ordinary circumstances some people are not able to shake hands due to medical conditions, one might choose among a number of other options instead of shaking hands:

• Make a reverential bow of the head to the people around you and say, Peace be with you
• Simply say Peace be with you without any gesture