Starting at the Mass of the Supper of the Lord on Holy Thursday, we will return to offering Communion from the chalice. This will be a return to what was common practice within our parish before COVID-19 restrictions were first put in place.
Some parishioners will have received Communion from the chalice before restrictions were put in place, and we would encourage people to return to this practice, or consider starting to receive Communion under both kinds. In doing so, we more fully experience the sacramental symbol. This was, of course, instituted by Jesus at the Last Supper, who also asked his disciples if they could drink the cup that he would drink.
The Church also teaches still that Christ is truly and fully present in either the consecrated bread or wine.
Since Christ is sacramentally present under each of the species, communion under the species of bread alone makes it possible to receive all the fruit of Eucharistic grace. For pastoral reasons this manner of receiving communion has been legitimately established as the most common form in the Latin rite. But “the sign of communion is more complete when given under both kinds, since in that form the sign of the Eucharistic meal appears more clearly.” This is the usual form of receiving communion in the Eastern rites.
Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1390
There may be a good reason why a person may choose not to receive Communion from the chalice. For example, people should not receive from the chalice if they are unwell.
If you are in a position to receive the Eucharist under both kinds, though, we hope that you will take up the opportunity to experience (to return to experiencing) the sacramental ritual of Holy Communion in its fullest form.
Published in our parish bulletin, Carmel, 8 March 2026
Liturgy 