Directory of the Church in Japan
Concerning the Distribution andReception of Holy Communion
during Mass

Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Japan

This Directory of the Church in Japan Concerning the Distribution and Reception ofHoly Communion during Mass was approved by the Catholic Bishops’
Conference of Japan at its Extraordinary Plenary Assembly held on February
2010, and received the recognitio of the Congregation of Divine Worship andthe Discipline of the Sacraments on June 26, 2014 (Prot. N. 149/14). The
effective date of this Directory will be November 30, 2014, the First Sunday ofAdvent.
Copyright © 2014, Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Japan. All rights reserved.

Directory of the Church in Japan
Concerning the Distribution and Reception ofHoly Communion during Mass

I. The Aim of This Directory
1. At the Last Supper the Lord Jesus in the company of his apostles instituted
the Eucharistic sacrifice of his Body and Blood and commanded them to do
this in memory of him until he should come again (cf. 1 Cor. 11:23-26). The
church, faithful to the Lord’s commandment, has continued to celebrate theMass as a memorial of the Lord’s sacrifice. When the faithful receive the breadand wine that have been consecrated during Mass and become the Body andBlood of Christ, they become one body united with their head, Christ. Then“the unity of believers, who form one body in Christ (1 Cor. 10:17), isexpressed”1, and the faithful grow as a community of love.
The aim of this Directory is to make clear the meaning of Holy Communion
and to ensure that faith and reverence for the Eucharist are shown when
receiving it, so that the faithful may receive the Body and Blood of Christ
without anxiety and confusion.

II. Matters to be Considered in Advance
Catechesis concerning Holy Communion

2. Those responsible in parishes and religious communities must teachcommunity members, at a suitable time and in a practical way, the meaning ofHoly Communion and how it should be received. Also catechumens, those of
separated ecclesial Communities who wish to be members of the Catholicchurch, and children who are preparing to make their first Holy Communionmust all be taught at a suitable time what they need to know about Holy
Communion and how it is to be received.

1

Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, Lumen Gentium: Dogmatic Constitution on the Church,
November 21, 1964, n. 3.

1Regarding the posture at the moment of receiving Holy Communion

3. Regarding the posture of communicants the Institutio Generalis Missalis
Romani states that “the faithful communicate either kneeling or standing, as
determined by the Conference of Bishops.”2 According to this norm, in Japan,
depending on the place where the Mass is to be celebrated and except in thecase of those who are unable to stand for some special reasons, as a generalrule, Holy Communion is received standing. When the faithful communicate
with a common posture, as well as showing a sign of the unity among thoseattending Mass,3 it also helps towards a smooth flow of the procession of thefaithful. However, it is not licit to deny Holy Communion to any of Christ’s
faithful solely on the grounds that the person wishes to receive the Eucharist
kneeling.4
4. Those who wish to receive Holy Communion, as a rule, come forward in aprocession5. Then communicants, with hands joined, bow to show respect for
the Eucharist and stand before the minister of Holy Communion.6
Receiving Communion in the hand

5. The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Japan in a letter of June 20, 1970,requested of the Sacred Congregation for Divine Worship that the faithful inJapan might receive Communion in the hand. The permission was granted onJune 27 (Prot.n.2286/70). Regarding a practical way of reception ofCommunion in the hand, see this Directory, n. 11.
The minister of Holy Communion

6. The ordinary ministers of Holy Communion are: bishops, priests ordeacons.7 Bishops and priests in virtue of the sacred Ordination they havereceived offer the Sacrifice of the Mass in the person of Christ.8 Accordingly, it
was originally the duty of bishops and priests to distribute Communion. If adeacon were present, he could assist the Bishop and priest in distributing
Communion.9Institutio Generalis Missalis Romani [=IGMR] (2002), n. 160.
Cf. IGMR, n. 42.
4 Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, Instruction,
Redemptionis Sacramentum: On Certain Matters to be Observed or to be Avoided Regarding theMost Holy Eucharist [=RS], March 25, 2004, n. 91.
5 Cf. IGMR, nos. 44 and 160.
6 Cf. IGMR, n. 160.
7 Cf. Codex Iuris Canonici, can. 910§1; RS, n. 154.
8 Cf. IGMR, nos. 4 and 93.
9 Cf. IGMR, nos. 94, 171e, 182.
232

When Holy Communion is being distributed under both kinds, “the chalice isusually administered by a deacon or, when no deacon is present, by a priest, oreven by a duly instituted acolyte or another extraordinary minister of HolyCommunion, or by a member of the faithful who, in case of necessity, has been
entrusted with this duty for a single occasion.”107. Bishops, priests or deacons present in the congregation can assist thecelebrant in distributing Holy Communion. If there are no ministers of Holy
Communion present who can assist the celebrant, when the number ofcommunicants be large or the celebrant cannot distribute Communion becauseof special circumstances such as a sickness or advanced age, he “may call upon
extraordinary ministers to assist him, i.e., duly instituted acolytes or even otherfaithful who have been deputed for this purpose.”11 In case of necessity, thecelebrant may depute suitable faithful as extraordinary ministers and ask themto distribute Communion.12
Bread and Wine

8. When we receive Communion, we participate in the sacrifice actually beingcelebrated. It is important that the signs of this be clearly shown. 13 “It isappropriate that at least some parts of the Eucharistic Bread coming from thefraction should be distributed to at least some of the faithful in Communion.
Small hosts are, however, in no way ruled out when the number of thosereceiving Holy Communion or other pastoral needs require it, and indeed
small hosts requiring no further fraction ought customarily to be used for themost part”.14
When Communion is given under both kinds, care should be taken lest too
much of the Blood of Christ remains to be consumed at the end of Mass. So asuitable amount of wine is to be prepared before Mass.15
Paten and Chalice

9. In order to show that the faithful receive the Body of Christ throughbreaking one Bread, “for the consecration of hosts, a large paten may
IGMR, n. 284a. Cf. IGMR, nos. 94 and 182.
IGMR, n. 162.
12 Cf. IGMR, n. 162; RS, nos. 155-160.
13 Cf. IGMR, n. 85.
14 RS, n. 49. Cf. IGMR, n. 321.
15 Cf. IGMR, n. 285a.
10113

appropriately be used; on it is placed the bread for the priest and the deacon as
well as for the other ministers and for the faithful”. 16 If the paten is not
sufficient for distribution of the Body of Christ, a pyx (ciborium) can beprepared. The celebrant, a deacon or a concelebrant can break or divide thehosts and place them into the pyx (ciborium).17
It is recommended that a large chalice be prepared.18 When several chalices
are necessary for Holy Communion under both kinds, because of the value tobe given to the signs, it is desirable to use a main chalice of larger dimensions
and prepare smaller ones as needed.19 However, after the consecration, thepouring of the Blood of Christ from one chalice to another should be avoided.20

III. Communion under Only One Kind
Receiving the fullness of Christ

10. The Council of Trent says that “Christ, whole and entire, and the true
Sacrament, is received even under only one species, and that as far as theeffects are concerned, those who receive under only one species are notdeprived of any of the grace that is necessary for salvation.”21 The pastor isrequired to teach this to the faithful.
Communion under only the form of bread

11. As mentioned in this Directory, n. 4, a communicant who wishes to receive
the Sacrament in the hand stands before the priest with hands joined. Thenplacing one hand under the other extends them. The priest raises the hostslightly and shows it to the communicant saying: ‘The Body of Christ’. The
communicant responds: ’Amen’. The priest then places the host in the hand of
the communicant. The communicant moves aside to make room for the next
person and reverently takes the host in the fingers of one hand and while
holding the other hand underneath, receives on the tongue The communicant

IGMR, n. 331.
Cf. IGMR, n. 240.
18 Cf. IGMR, nos. 207b and 285a.
19 Cf. RS, n. 105.
20 Cf. RS, n. 106.
21 IGMR, n. 282. Cf. Ecumenical Council of Trent, Session XXI, Doctrina de communione subutraque specie et parvulorum, July 16, 1562, chapters 1-3: Denz-Schön 1725-1729.
16174

then consumes the host entirely and returns to the pews.22
In the distribution of Communion, it is not permitted for the communicant totake the host shown by the priest with his or her fingers.23
12. As mentioned in this Directory, n. 4, the communicant who wishes toreceive the Sacrament on the tongue stands before the priest with hands joined.
The priest raises the host slightly and shows it to the communicant saying:‘The Body of Christ’. The use of the communion-plate, held by a minister
under the communicant’s mouth should be retained, so as to avoid the dangerof the sacred host or some fragment of it falling.24 The communicant responds:‘Amen’, and receives the host on the tongue. Then moving aside to make room
for the next person, the communicant consumes the host entirely and returns
to the pews.25
Communion under only the form of wine

13. In special cases when the Sacrament cannot be received under the form ofconsecrated bread it can be given under the form of consecrated wine. In suchcases, in keeping with this Directory, n. 20, a chalice is used from which thecommunicant can receive the Precious Blood.
In the case of a sick or elderly person a tube or spoon can be used to give theBlood of Christ.26 In such cases a communion-plate and purificator should beheld under the communicant’s mouth. The celebrant should be careful thatnone of the Precious Blood is spilt.

IV. Holy Communion under Both Kinds
Holy Communion under both kinds

14. “Holy Communion has a fuller form as a sign when it is distributed underboth kinds. For in this form the sign of the Eucharistic banquet is more clearly
evident and clear expression is given to the divine will by which the new andeternal Covenant is ratified in the Blood of the Lord, as also the relationship
Cf. IGMR, n. 161.
Cf. IGMR, n. 160.
24 Cf. IGMR, n. 118; RS, n. 93.
25 Cf. IGMR, n. 161.
26 Cf. IGMR, n. 245.
22
235

between the Eucharistic banquet and the eschatological banquet in the Father’s
Kingdom.”27
When Holy Communion may received under both kinds

15. According to the rules of the Instructio Generalis Missalis Romani regarding
Communion under both kinds, the following points are to be kept in mind.
“In addition to those cases given in the ritual books,28 Communion under bothkinds is permitted for:a) priests who are not able to celebrate or concelebrate Mass;b) the deacon and others who perform some duty at the Mass;c) members of communities at the conventual Mass or ‘community’ Mass,29
along with seminarians, and all who are engaged in a retreat or are
taking part in a spiritual gathering.”30
16. Furthermore, the Institutio Generalis Missalis Romani indicates that “thediocesan Bishop is also given the faculty to permit Communion under bothkinds whenever it may seem appropriate to the priest to whom the community
has been entrusted as its own shepherd, provided that the faithful have been
well instructed and there is no danger of profanation of the Sacrament or of therite’s becoming difficult because of the large number of participants or someother reason.”31
Based on the above norms, in Japan, it is left to the judgment and to the
responsibility of the priest celebrant to decide when to distribute Holy
Communion under both kinds to the faithful participating in the Mass.
Necessary preparations before distributing Communion under both kinds

17. When Communion under both kinds is to be given in a community, it isnecessary to refer to the Institutio Generalis Missalis Romani, the Roman Ritual“Holy Communion and Worship of the Eucharist Outside Mass”, “Catechism of theCatholic Church”, or Papal documents32 and Vatican publications33 regarding
IGMR, n. 281.
Cf. For example, The Roman Pontifical “Rites of Ordination”, The Roman Ritual “Rite ofChristian Initiation of Adults”, or “Rite of Marriage” etc.
29 This ‘community’ is not the parish community and indicates a specific group such as amonastery. Cf. IGMR, n. 114.
30 IGMR, n. 283.
31 IGMR, n. 283.
32 Cf. For example, Paul VI, Encyclical Letter, Mysterium Fidei: On the Doctrine and Worshipof the Eucharist, September 3, 1965; John Paul II, Apostolic Letter, Dominicae caenae: On27
28

6

the Eucharist and to explain the meaning and aim of Communion under bothkinds to regular members of the community beforehand.
How Communion under both kinds is to be distributed

18. After the principal celebrant’s Communion, the concelebrants in keepingwith the Institutio Generalis Missalis Romani, nos. 242-249, receive the Sacrament.
Deacons and extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion do not receive
Communion by themselves like the principal celebrant and the concelebrants,
but must receive Communion under both kinds from the priest.34
The extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion should not approach thealtar before the priest has received Communion. 35 The deacon or
extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion having received Communion
under both kinds from the priest, the priest celebrant hands the deacon orextraordinary ministers of Holy Communion patens (or ciboria) and chalices
for distribution to the faithful. When the principal celebrant is giving thesevessels to the extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, the deacon mayassist him.
19. Communicants, according to this Directory n. 4, approach the priest, andfollowing the indication of this Directory, nos. 20 and 21, they can receive thehost.
20. When Communion in the form of the Blood of Christ is carried out by
communicants’ drinking directly from the chalice, each communicant follows
the norms given in this Directory, nos. 11 and 12, and having received theBody of Christ, approaches and stands before the minister of the chalice. The
minister says: ‘The Blood of Christ’, and the communicant responds: ‘Amen’.
The minister hands over the chalice to the communicant. The communicant
receives it in both hands and raises it to his or her mouth and drinks a little of
the Blood of Christ. Handing the chalice back to the minister, the communicant
the Mystery and Worship of the Eucharist, February 24, 1980; Id., Apostolic Letter, Dies
Domini, May 31, 1998; Id., Encyclical, Ecclesia de Eucharistia, April 17, 2003; Id., ApostolicLetter, Mane nobiscum Domine, October 7, 2004; Benedict XVI, Apostolic Exhortation,
Sacramentum caritatis, February 22, 2007.
33 Cf. For example, Congregation of Rites, Instruction, Eucharisticum Mysterium: On
Worship of the Eucharist, May 25, 1967; Congregation for the Divine Worship and theDiscipline of the Sacraments, Instruction, Redemptionis Sacramentum: On Certain Mattersto be Observed or to be Avoided Regarding the Most Holy Eucharist, March 25, 2004.
34 Cf. IGMR, nos. 182, 244, 246.
35 Cf. IGMR, n. 162.

7

returns to the pews. The minister wipes the rim of the chalice with thepurificator.36
21. When Communion is carried out by intinction, the priest takes a host, dips
it partly into the chalice held by a minister at his side, and, showing it, says:‘the Body and Blood of Christ’. Another minister should place acommunion-plate under the mouth of the communicant.37 The communicant
responds: ‘Amen’ and receives the Sacrament on the tongue. The communicant
consumes the Sacrament entirely and returns to the pews.38 The host that has
been dipped in the chalice must not be received in the communicant’s hand.39
22. Even if Communion is distributed under both kinds, the faithful who wish
to receive Communion under the species of bread alone should be granted
their wish.40
23. When Communion is distributed under both kinds, the faithful, except thecelebrant and concelebrants, should not make use of the following ways toreceive Communion.
1) Taking the chalice left on the altar by oneself and receiving the Blood ofChrist.
2) Dipping the host into the chalice and receiving the Sacrament.
3) Having received the Blood of Christ from the chalice, the communicant
handing the chalice to the next communicant.41
In the case of part of the Body of Christ and the Blood of Christ remaining at theend of Mass

24. When the distribution of Communion is finished, the priest of the deaconor the duly instituted acolyte immediately and completely consumes at thealtar any consecrated Wine that happens to remain.42
When part of the consecrated hosts remain, any of the above mentioned
ministers either consumes them at the altar or carries them to the place

Cf. IGMR, n. 286.
Cf. IGMR, n. 118; RS, n. 93.
38 Cf. IGMR, n. 287.
39 Cf. RS, n. 104.
40 Cf. IGMR, n. 284.
41 Cf. IGMR, n. 160.
42 Cf. IGMR, nos. 163, 182, 284.
36378designated for the reservation of the Eucharist.43

V. In Conclusion
25. On any aspect of the distribution and reception of Holy Communion that is
not covered by this Directory, the norms of the Church’s universal andparticular law, the directives of the diocesan Bishop, and the instincts of soundliturgical piety in accordance with these laws and directives are to be followed.

43

Cf. IGMR, n. 163.

9