Important Liturgical Guidelines
October 17, 2022
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
The Coronavirus affected our lives in many ways, including the way we worship. As restrictions on gatherings have been lifted, we are overjoyed to return to a more normal liturgical experience. Thus, all previous liturgical guidelines given during the Coronavirus pandemic, 2020-2022, are abrogated immediately.
Effective October 18, 2022, the following practices are to be observed:
The celebrant, ministers, and the faithful are no longer required to wear masks nor can masks be required. However, those who choose to wear a mask are free to do so.
Liturgical processions to and from the altar are to be reinstated (entrance, offertory with bread and wine, communion, and dismissal).
Hymnals and other worship aids can be placed in the pews.
Choirs are to sing.
Holy Water fonts are to be filled with Holy Water.
Ushers may use offertory baskets to assist in the collection.
The faithful may exchange the “Sign of Peace” according to comfort level of each person.
The faithful may receive Holy Communion either in the hand or on the tongue. According to the General Instruction of the Roman Missal, “[t]he consecrated host may be received either on the tongue or in the hand, at the discretion of each communicant” (160). In other words, the minister of Holy Communion does not determine how Communion is to be received.
The distribution of the Precious Blood is suspended for the lay faithful until further notice.
If you have any other questions, please contact the office for Divine Worship.
Fr. Juan J. Ochoa
Director of the Office for Divine Worship
Archdiocese of Los Angeles
ST. BARNABAS CHURCH 