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1. Current church law stipulates that in order to receive the Sacrament
all communicants must fast for one hour before receiving Holy Communion.
Water does not break the fast.
The Eucharistic fast required in 1962, viz. no food or water (unless the water serves for taking medication) for three hours prior to Holy Communion, is a laudable practise. The traditional Eucharistic fast observed prior to 1962, viz. no food or water from midnight until reception, is very commendable. 2. Please maintain a reverential silence in the Church. 3. Only baptised Roman Catholics or Eastern Rite Catholics are to receive Holy Communion. 4. All who receive Holy Communion must not be conscious of any mortal sin. If you are conscious of a mortal sin you must go to Confession and be reconciled to God and to His Church before approaching the Sacrament. The Sacrament of Penance/Confession is available before every Holy Mass. 5. Communion, distributed at the Communion rail, is received in the kneeling position and on the tongue ONLY. The faithful should not attempt to receive Holy Communion on the hand. 6. The communicant does NOT say "Amen" when receiving Holy Communion. When the priest comes to you at the Communion rail to give you Holy Communion he will pray this prayer : Corpus Domini nostri Jesu Christi custodiat animam tuam in vitam aeternam. Amen. whilst making the sign of the Cross over the ciborium. (May the Body of our Lord Jesus Christ preserve thy soul unto life everlasting. Amen.) 7. The priest alone sings or recites the Pater noster (Our Father). The people only respond at the end with Sed libera nos a malo. 8. Out of respect for our Blessed Lord and for the edification of our neighbour, all -- young and old -- are asked to appear in Church with appropriate clothing. Tank tops, shorts, low cut, backless and minidresses, halters, bare midriffs, sleepwear, tight fitting clothes etc. do not meet the norm of Christian modesty and respect which applies in the house of God and gate of Heaven. 9. In keeping with the traditional practise of the Roman Catholic Church (and 1 Cor 11/2-16), we suggest that women wear a head covering or a veil whilst attending Holy Mass. 10. According to liturgical law valid in 1962, when the Blessed Sacrament is exposed the double genuflection replaces the simple genuflection on one knee when entering or leaving the Church. 11. The congregation is invited to join the Choir and the Schola in singing the responses to the priest at Holy Mass, and in chanting other Gregorian chants such as the Credo. It goes without saying that all join with gusto in the English hymns after Mass and at devotions. |