Precious Blood distribution resumes

November 14, 2022

Beginning this weekend, Nov. 19-20, parishes will be permitted to resume distributing the Precious Blood to the faithful.

The distribution of the Precious Blood was suspended in March 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic prompted the closing of many public, large group events.

Pastors have been working for the last few weeks with their local parishes to determine whether their community is ready to resume the practice. This may include having enough Eucharistic ministers who are trained and ready to assist.

The distribution of the Eucharist from a cup is not a mandate, said Father Trevor Chicoine, diocesan director of the Worship office. Rather, the decision rests with the pastor or parish administrator.

There may be varied and legitimate reasons for a pastor or parish administrator to choose to delay resumption of the distribution of both species, he said.

The Catholic Church teaches that bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Jesus during the Mass. One receives the fullness of the Eucharist by receiving either the Body or the Blood.