From the dedication of the Church of St. Joseph in 1902 until the early 1990’s, the tabernacle was placed in the center of the reredos (the large, white altar).According to trends in the Church at the time, the tabernacle was moved to the “Mary Chapel” (1980’s), then to the Blessed Sacrament Chapel (2004).Following current directives, the tabernacle has resumed its original place in the church.
Out of respect for Jesus Christ’s Real Presence in the Blessed Sacrament, and for those who wish to pray silently before and after Mass, please maintain a respectful silence in the church proper.Also, please remember that our tradition dictates either a genuflection, or bow, as we enter a pew.The following instruction is offered by the Office of Worship of the Diocese of Madison.
In June of 2007, Bishop Morlino issued several new sets of guidelines regarding the distribution of Holy Communion. These guidelines are a response to both a new Roman Missal (the book which has the prayers and liturgical norms for Mass) and a document from the Vatican called Sacrament of Redemption, which sought to refine some practices in light of current practice.
While the diocesan guidelines themselves do not make any great changes, there are some things that people will notice during the Communion Rite. The most noticeable for most parishes occur after all of the people have received Communion.
The new guidelines note that only a priest or deacon should place the consecrated hosts in the tabernacle after Communion. The ordained minister (whether bishop, priest or deacon) is considered to be the “Ordinary” Minister of Holy Communion. Celebrating the Sacraments and feeding the people of God are part of their duties through ordination. “Extraordinary” Ministers of Holy Communion (EMHC) help as needed in ensuring the people of God receive Holy Communion in an orderly and reverent manner as well as by taking Communion to those who are sick, homebound, imprisoned, etc. The new diocesan guidelines try to emphasize the priest or deacon as “ordinary” minister and thus the caretaker of the Sacred Species. It is hoped that this small gesture will reinforce this understanding.
You may also note that the priest or deacon now “purifies” the Sacred Vessels after Communion, sometimes even at the altar. The purification is a rinsing of the vessel followed by the minister drinking the contents. The goal is to remove any remaining particles of the Body and Blood of Christ. Prior to 2007, permission was granted by the Vatican for EMHC in the United States to perform this task. In 2007 this changed and the practice became reserved once again to the Ordinary minister (the ordained or in some cases an “instituted acolyte”). The change in this norm has had a visible impact throughout our country. It was not meant to take anything away from the important ministry exercised by EMHC, but rather to place an emphasis yet again on the priest and deacon as the custodians and caretakers of the Sacred Species. This may be done during or after Mass. If the priest does this during Mass, it gives the community some extra time to offer thanks to God for the allowing us to share in the Body and Blood of Christ.
Fr. Larry Bakke
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