Holy Communion and Worship of the Eucharistic Mystery Outside Mass
Above, Father Nelson Cintra (left), and Father Francisco Flores adore the Lord during the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage in Pocatello in May.(ICR photo/Deacon Scott Pearhill)
By TIsh Thornton
Liturgy Matters
Unheralded, unsung, and—most lamentable—unread, the Church’s ritual text, Holy Communion and Worship of the Eucharistic Mystery Outside Mass (HCWEM), has
recently been retranslated and promulgated, and is mandated for use on the first Sunday of Advent.
Perhaps the most useful ritual book never used, HCWEM includes the Church’s full directions and rubrics for all things related to the Eucharistic species that occur outside the celebration of Mass. For example, Exposition and Adoration are in this book. Benediction? Also in this book. Eucharistic processions, taking Communion to the sick, weekday Communion services—all these and more are fully described in this new release of an old classic.
This is an important text, given that many Catholics regularly practice at least some of the rituals it outlines. Since this “rule book” is largely ignored by those who plan and practice the rites, parishes risk incorrectly celebrating them.
The timing of its publication—on the heels of a national Eucharistic Congress and our own Eucharistic pilgrimage—allows Catholics to gain a deeper understanding of the rites we cherish that celebrate the Real Presence.
The text begins with an explanation of the relationship between these rites and the celebration of the Mass. On their own, the rites in HCWEM are meaningless. Seen as a pathway that leads both to and from the celebration of the Eucharist, they take on essential meaning and purpose. (For this reason, Exposition is always interrupted when Mass is being celebrated in the same place.) When one attends Exposition, one is participating in an extension of “the grace of the Sacrifice” (that occurs at Mass). Adoration of the Real Presence, contained in the Host held in the monstrance or ciborium, is reverence and appreciation for the transformation that happens at Mass, that turns ordinary bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Our Lord.
The text outlines the purposes of reservation of the Eucharist. In order of importance, these are the administration of Viaticum, or Communion to the dying (viaticum means “provision for the journey”), the distribution of Communion, and the adoration of Our Lord, present in the Sacrament. Finally, through reservation, Communion can be provided for the sick and homebound.
All of the prayers and rituals that encompass these rites are carefully outlined in HCWEM, beginning with “The Order of Distributing Holy Communion Outside of Mass.” Deacons and laypeople who preside at weekday Communion services should be using HCWEM. (There is a different ritual text for Sunday celebrations in the absence of a priest.)
This vital document describes services for bringing Viaticum to the dying and Communion to the sick, and provides a thorough section on Worship of the Most Holy Eucharist. The final chapter includes the proper and reverent way to celebrate Exposition, Benediction, Eucharistic processions, and even Eucharistic congresses, should a parish get ambitious.
Throughout, the text distinguishes between the actions appropriate for a lay minister versus the ordained, and gives instructions on everything from how many candles must be used at Exposition (four or six with a monstrance; at least two with a ciborium) to whether a minister may consume the Blessed Sacrament when bringing Communion to the sick (they may).
One little-acknowledged rubric explains that an appropriately delegated lay minister may open the Tabernacle, expose the Eucharist in a monstrance or ciborium, and repose the Blessed Sacrament in the Tabernacle once the Exposition is over.
This translation, an update of the original text from 1973, is mandated for use in all parishes by the First Sunday of Advent of this year (December 1, 2024). Parishes may begin using it as early as September 14 (Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross). By December 1, this new version must replace any older versions in our sacristies. These may be ordered through Reilly’s Religious Supply in Boise.
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