Services of the Word and Holy Communion

[presbyter]

Just a question now - that might or might not be relevant to John's research. I wonder how many EMHC know how to give the so-called "Last Rites" in the absence of a priest - i.e. Viaticum?

[FrGareth]

Some useful resources:

For a history of communion-without-Mass in 1st millennium religious order houses, [url]see http://www.benedictines.org.uk/theology ... harist.rtf[/url]

For a review of the practice of daily communion (with obvious implications for Word-and-Communion services), see http://www.drgareth.info/DailyCommunion.pdf
(This article was written before Bishop Jabale forbade daily Word and Communion services in Menevia. They are still permitted in Cardiff and Wrexham dioceses.)

Don't forget that the current rites for non-Mass weddings and funerals include the option to distribute communion.

All the best with the dissertation.

FrGareth

[musicus]

Welcome to the forum, Fr Gareth.

[Southern Comfort]

Don't forget that the current rites for non-Mass weddings and funerals include the option to distribute communion.

Not quite. There is certainly a provision in the Order of Christian Funerals for Holy Communion to be distributed at a Funeral Liturgy outside Mass, but there is no provision in the Rite of Marriage outside Mass or the Rite of Marriage between a Catholic and an unbaptised person for the distribution of Holy Communion.

[FrGareth]

there is no provision in the Rite of Marriage outside Mass or the Rite of Marriage between a Catholic and an unbaptised person for the distribution of Holy Communion.

Au contraire! I have on my desk a photocopy of the official ritual book for the Rite of Marriage in England & Wales (a commodity which makes hen's teeth look abundant in comparison) and on page 39, paragraph 54 of the Rite of Marriage outside Mass begins:

"If Mass cannot be celebrated and communion is to be distributed during the rite..." (directives follow)

You right that there is no such provision in the Rite of Marriage between a Catholic and an unbaptised person, though.

FrGareth

[Southern Comfort]

there is no provision in the Rite of Marriage outside Mass or the Rite of Marriage between a Catholic and an unbaptised person for the distribution of Holy Communion.

Au contraire! I have on my desk a photocopy of the official ritual book for the Rite of Marriage in England & Wales (a commodity which makes hen's teeth look abundant in comparison) and on page 39, paragraph 54 of the Rite of Marriage outside Mass begins:

"If Mass cannot be celebrated and communion is to be distributed during the rite..." (directives follow)

You right that there is no such provision in the Rite of Marriage between a Catholic and an unbaptised person, though.

FrGareth

Whoops! Quite right about para 54 ─ completely missing from my tattered photocopy, but confirmed by consulting the 'universal' rite. Thank you for clarifying this.

[JohnM]

This is really waking up a very old topic, but having now completed the dissertation and everything being wrapped up, I wanted to say thank you again to everyone for their contributions. For anyone with too much time to spare I've attached a copy of the dissertation.

Thanks
John