Normalization of Liturgical practices

May 8, 2009

In consultation with the Santa Clara County Public Health Department, I am happy to announce that we are able to remove the temporary adaptations outlined last week in my letter dated April 29, 2009, during the concern with the H1N1 influenza virus, (swine flu). We can now return to our normal liturgical practice. I ask that as soon as reasonably possible, you inform your community members and liturgical ministers so that we may again celebrate the Eucharist and other liturgies with full use of the signs, actions, and gestures that are part of the rites.

Most especially, I want to emphasize the importance of offering the cup to the assembly at every Sunday and feast day Mass. The Church has taught that when the faithful drink the Precious Blood in addition to sharing the Blessed Sacrament at Mass, it is a clearer sign of the sacrificial nature of the Eucharist. Therefore, I established this in 2003 as one of the Communion norms for our diocese. Quickly returning to this normative practice is also very important for our children who celebrate First Communion during this Easter season so that they may participate as fully as possible in the sacrificial feast of the Eucharist.

In addition, please recall that communicants may choose whether to receive the Body of Christ in the hand or on the tongue. If in the hand, the words of Saint Cyril of Jerusalem should guide them: "So when you approach do not come with your wrists extended or your fingers parted. Make your left hand a throne for your right, which is about to receive the King, and receive Christ's body in the hollow of your hand, replying 'Amen'" (Mystagogic Catechesis, V, 21). If on the tongue, care should be taken that ministers of Communion make no contact with the communicant's mouth. If intinction is used, only the minister of Communion may dip the host into the cup and place it on the communicant's tongue.

As we resume our normative Eucharistic practices during the Lord's Prayer, Sign of Peace, and distribution of Communion, I hope that this recent incident will prompt your community to further evaluate its general procedures so that in and out of the flu season we may continue to safeguard the health of the faithful.
In particular, I ask you to continue encouraging your communities to practice the universal precautions as advised by our local health authorities, namely:
If persons exhibit a fever and any of the following-stuffy nose, sore throat, and/or coughing-they should stay home and limit contact with others, especially those who may be more likely to get very sick, such as infants and young children, the elderly, pregnant women, or those with chronic diseases.
Sick persons should stay home for at least seven days after they first show flu symptoms or until they stop having any symptoms, whichever is longer.
If you are sick, consider wearing a surgical mask so that you do not spread the virus to others. Change and throw away masks when they become moist.
Wash your hands frequently, and cover your mouth and nose with tissues when coughing or sneezing.
Limit the number of people taking care of sick family members. Caregivers should wash their hands after they have contact with the sick.
Keep windows open to circulate air, and keep common area surfaces clean.
Do not have visitors in your home while sick persons are in your household.
When we attend carefully to our liturgical norms and each person practices good health habits at home and in public, we can celebrate the sacraments as they are intended to be-with full, conscious, and active participation of all the faithful.

I am very grateful to you and your community leaders and ministers for your attention and quick response to this matter during this last week, and I have appreciated your assistance in caring for the well-being of our local community. As always, thank you for all that you do to serve the people of this local Church. May the Lord continue to bless you and your communities in this Paschal season.
 
With every best wish and kind regard, I remain,
 
Sincerely yours,
 
Patrick J. McGrath
Bishop of San Jose