“Partakers of the Same Sacrifice”
Neil Xavier O’Donoghue
“Partakers of the Same Sacrifice” Neil Xavier O’Donoghue Most papal encyclicals address issues day and therefore tend to lose relevance as time passes. Certiores effecti, issued in 1742 by Pope Benedict XIV (reigned 1740-58), is not one them, given that liturgical abuse it censures remains (270 years later!) all too prevalent. In this short encyclical, encourages priests administer Holy Communion faithful from hosts consecrated at same Mass rather than retrieved tabernacle. Because encyclical difficult obtain original Latin, I am unaware an extant English translation full, append full text Latin (my translation). I. Historical Background Liturgical historians generally agree up fourth century communicated every Mass, partaking eucharistic elements solely celebration.1 Numerous sources attest, moreover, was customary for take home Sunday Eucharist enough “eucharistized” bread on weekdays, when there normally no celebration Eucharist; they also brought Sacrament members local community who could attend liturgy because illness, imprisonment, or difficulties travel.2 Decline frequency Following adoption Christianity state religion after Peace Constantine (312), reception be1 On holy Communion, see: Joseph Nicholas Stadler, Frequent Communion: A Synopsis a Commentary, Canon Law Studies 263 (Washington DC: Catholic University America Press, 1947); A. Jungmann, The Roman Rite: Its Origins Development (Missarum Sollemnia) [revised abridged edition volume, ed. Charles K. Riepe], trans. Francis Brunner (London: Burns & Oates, 1959) 498-502; and, most recently, Dougherty, From AltarThrone Table: Campaign Church (Lanham MD: Scarecrow 2010). 2 See Robert F. Taft, “Home-Communion Late Antique East” Ars Liturgiae: Worship, Aesthetics Praxis. Essays Honor Nathan D. Mitchell , Clare V . Johnson (Chicago: Liturgy Training Publications, 2003) 1-25. Antiphon 16.2 (2012): 130-143 131 came restricted Mass. Yet sharply declined some places. As renowned Jesuit liturgist Jungmann reports his classic study Already Chrysostom, among Greeks, complained: “In vain do we stand before altar; partake.” Gaul, too, Synod Agde (506) found necessary insist three times year, Christmas, Easter, Pentecost, minimum. And demand repeated again till very height Middle Ages, sometimes with addition Maundy Thursday. Carolingian reform attempt made re-introduce Sunday, especially Sundays Lent, but result best temporary. eighth onward, actuality seems have gone beyond what Lateran Council 1215 established new minimum: Easter.3 Explanations been advanced unexpected development: extended period penitence (and thus exclusion ) imposed apostates had returned once she finally gained freedom; common postponement baptism until later age; development spirituality reverential fear regard Eucharist—the mysterium tremendum—and corresponding sense personal unworthiness;4 multiplication cases Sacrament, married 3 Rite, 499. Fourth chap. 21, Henry Denzinger, Enchiridion Symbolorum, 30th ed., Roy J. Deferrari, Sources Dogma (St Louis: B. Herder, 1957; reprint, Powers Lake ND: Marian House, n.d.) §437, p. 173: “Let everyone both sexes, he has arrived discretion, alone faithfully confess sins least year his...
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