The new General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) has been approved for use in the United States. At the same time, the area bishops have used this opportunity to fine tune the way in which we show reverence to and receive the Blessed Sacrament. Much of the new GIRM is simply a reiteration of the GIRM of the second Vatican council that we have been using for worship since 1975.

Bishop Higi has set forth directives for us to integrate into our Liturgy of the Eucharist. He has been sharing his vision of the liturgy throughout the year in many columns in the Catholic Moment. On June 21st and 22nd we will be integrating his vision into reality here at St. Thomas Aquinas. We will be approaching the table in a procession that will begin from the back of the worship space to the front. The server and other procession ministers will be directing the flow of the faithful, starting from the back pews. Why is this? Our bishop would like the communion procession to echo the entrance procession and the procession with the gifts, both of which start from the back and work their way to the front. Another advantage of processing from the back and going toward the front is that we will be more aware of the people around us. There will be a greater need to pay attention to our surroundings and stay actively engaged with the rest of the worshiping community. There will be additional hospitality ministers assisting with the procession for a few weeks while we all get used to these adjustments. There will be no change in the location of the Communion Stations. There will be 4 dishes and 8 cups across the front and 2 dishes and 2 cups in the middle “T”.

Here is what our procession will look like: After the sign of peace, the Cross bearer and the procession ministers will stand in front of the sanctuary on the floor. The Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion will also approach the sanctuary and line up for their ministry, just as they are currently doing. The assembly will be standing during the singing of the Lamb of God. After the Lamb of God, the assembly should kneel down. The priest will say, “Behold the Lamb of God! Happy are we who are called to this supper.” We respond, “Lord, I am not worthy….., but only say the word and I shall be healed.” Here is the biggest adjustment to our ritual. We will all stand and remain standing for the rest of the Communion Rite.
The Cross bearer and the procession ministers, holding candles, will start their journey to the back of the church. The Cross bearer will go past the Blessed Sacrament Chapel
and anyone standing in the Baptistery area should follow the Cross bearer. If no one is in that area, those who are in the back pews of the back section of the church should follow the Cross bearer to the middle “T” where Ministers of Holy Communion will be waiting for them. People located in the back sections of the worship space should continue in procession, pew by pew, from the back to the front of those sections toward the Ministers of Holy Communion stationed in the middle “T”.

At the same time, the procession ministers will be inviting those in the side front sections to follow them, beginning with the back pews and processing toward the front. Once the Cross bearer passes through the middle “T” he or she will be starting the procession of the faithful that are in the center sections of the worship space up the center aisle, pew by pew, from the back to the front.

Once we are standing before the priest or the extraordinary minister of Holy Communion, we will make eye contact and make a simple bow of the head (GIRM #160) as a show of reverence. Remember to wait before you bow so that you are bowing to the Blessed Sacrament in either forms, Body or Blood, that is present before you. Take your time and don’t try to rush things by bowing while the person ahead of you is receiving. The extraordinary minister of Holy Communion or the priest will say, “The Body of Christ” or “the Blood of Christ” to which we will say “AMEN” and extend our hands to receive the Body of Christ or reach for the cup of the Precious Blood

After we receive we will make our way back to our pew but we will remain standing. We will stand and sing until everyone in the worship space has been fed. If, for health reasons, it is uncomfortable for anyone to remain standing for this length of time, individuals may be seated but should stay engaged in the procession by singing with the rest of the assembly. Those who are not Catholic should feel free to stand along with the rest of the assembly and go up to the Minister of Holy Communion for a blessing or remain standing in the pew.

When all have received, the presiding priest will sit down in his chair and we will all sit or kneel for a collective moment of silence. This will be our time to privately give our thanks and praise to God.

We began this new way of receiving Holy Communion the weekend of June 21st and 22nd.
These new procedures given to us by our bishop may add to the length of Mass, but I believe that once we get used to this, it will indeed be a beautiful way for the assembled Body of Christ to receive the Body and Blood of Christ. Let us joyfully go to the altar of the Lord giving thanks and praise.