THE REAL PRESENCE

CHRIST IN THE EUCHARIST

Church Documents

Ecclesiastical Law. An ordinance issued by legitimate authority in the Catholic Church. The legislators for the entire Church are the Roman Pontiff alone, or the Pope through the Roman Curia, or an ecumenical council together with the Pope… Roman Curia. The whole ensemble of administrative and judicial offices through which the Pope directs the operations of the Catholic Church. Since the Second Vatican Council the Roman Curia has been extensively changed, with the merger of certain offices, the supression of others, and the creation of entirely new ones. More than once in postconciliar statements the Pope has defended the Curia against critics who would distinguish between the papacy and the curial officials. Pope John XXIII spoke of the Curia as his right hand, through which the Vicar of Christ mainly exercises his primacy over the universal Church. Pocket Catholic Dictionary, An Image Book Published by Doubleday Copyright © 1980, 1985 by John A. Hardon, S.J.

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General Instruction of the Roman Missal

•    GIRM (3rd Typical Edition)
  The current approved English text of the GIRM (3rd Typical Edition) with approved adaptations for the United States is published by the USCCB.
  
  
•    Institutio Generalis Missalis Romani (3rd edition)
  by the Congregation for Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments. This is the Latin text of the General Instruction of the Roman Missal. It has been promulgated by the Holy See with the 3rd editio typica of the Missale Romanum in March 2002, and is now in effect.
  
  
• General Instruction of the Roman Missal  (alt)
  by the Sacred Congregation for Divine Worship. This is the universal law of the Church for the Latin Rite, March 27, 1975.
  
  
• The Theological Vision of Sacrosanctum Concilium and the Roman Missal
  by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Committee on the Liturgy.
  
  
• Promulgation of the Roman Missal, Revised by Decree of the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council
  by Pope Paul VI, 1969.
  
  
• Documents on the General Instruction of the Roman Missal - 1969 - 1981

The "Tridentine" Indult

• Quattuor Abhinc Annos (On the Use of the "Tridentine" Liturgy)
  by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, 1984.
  
  
• Ecclesia Dei (Apostolic Letter given Motu Proprio: With Great Affliction)
  by Pope John Paul II, 1988.
  
  
• Guidelines for the Celebration of the "Tridentine" Mass by the Pontifical Commission "Ecclesia Dei", 1991.
• Clarification on the Celebration of the "Tridentine" Mass by the Pontifical Commission "Ecclesia Dei",1995.
• Clarification on the Celebration of the "Tridentine" Mass by the Pontifical Commission "Ecclesia Dei", 1997.

General Documents

• De Musica Sacra (Instruction On Sacred Music and Sacred Liturgy)
  by the Sacred Congregation of Rites, 1958.
  
  
• Didache (The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles)
  - unknown, 100 to 150 A.D. Contains oldest recorded Eucharistic prayer.
  
  
• Dominum Et Vivificantem (Lord and Giver of Life) (alt)
  by Pope John Paul II, 1986, Sections on the Holy Spirit and the Eucharist and Liturgy.
  
  
• Ecclesia De Eucharistia
  Encyclical Letter of His Holiness Pope John Paul II to the Bishops, Priests and Deacons, Men and Women in the Consecrated Life and all the Lay Faithful on the Eucharist in its Relationship to the Church. Given in Rome, at Saint Peter's, April 17, 2003.
  
  
• Ecclesiae De Mysterio (Instruction on Certain Questions Regarding the Collaboration of the Non-Ordained Faithful in the Sacred Ministry of Priest) (alt) (alt).
  by 7 Roman Dicasteries (Congregations and Commissions), August 15,1997
  
  
• Eucharistiae Participationem (Circular Letter to the Presidents of the National Conferences of Bishops on Eucharistic Prayers)
  by the Sacred Congregation for Divine Worship, 1973.
  
  
• Eucharisticum Mysterium (Instruction On Worship of the Eucharistic Mystery) (alt)
  by the Sacred Congregation of Rites and confirmed by Pope Paul VI, 1967.
  
  
•    Inaestimabile Donum (Instruction Concerning Worship of the Eucharistic Mystery) (alt)
  by the Sacred Congregation for the Sacraments and Divine Worship and confirmed by Pope John Paul II, 1980.
  
  
• Inter Oecumenici (First Instruction on the orderly carrying out of the Constitution on the Liturgy)
  by the Sacred Congregation of Rites, 1964.
  
  
• Liturgiam Authenticam (Fifth Instruction for the Right Implementation of the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy of the Second Vatican Council and Supplement)
  by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, May 7, 2001.
  
  
• Liturgicae Instaurationes (Instruction on the orderly carrying out of the Constitution on the Liturgy)
  by the Sacred Congregation for Divine Worship, 1970.
  
  
• Marialis Cultus (On Devotion to Mary) (alt)
  by Pope Paul VI, 1974, the relationship between devotion to Mary and the liturgy.
  
  
• Mediator Dei (On the Sacred Liturgy) (alt)
  by Pope Pius XII, 1947.
  
  
• Musicae Sacrae Disciplina (Encyclical On Sacred Music) (alt)
  by Pope Pius XII, 1955.
  
  
• Musicam Sacram (Instruction on Sacred Music in the Liturgy) (alt)
  by the Sacred Congregation of Rites, 1967.
  
  
• Ordo Missae Cum Populo (The Order of the Mass)
  English and Latin.
  
  
• Pueros Baptizatos (Directory for Masses With Children)
  by the Sacred Congregation for Divine Worship, 1973.
  
  
• Quo Primum (Pope Pius V's Bull promulgating the reform of the liturgy)
  by Pope Pius V, 1570.
  
  
•    Redemptionis Sacramentum (On certain matters to be observed or to be avoided regarding the Most Holy Eucharist)
  by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacrament, March 25, 2004.
  
  
• Sacram Liturgiam (Motu Proprio of His Holiness Pope Paul VI)
  by Pope Paul VI, 1964.
  
  
• Sacrosanctum Conciliu (Vatican II: Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy) (alt)
  by Pope Paul VI, 1963.
  
  
• Tres Abhinc Annos (Second Instruction on the orderly carrying out of the Constitution on the Liturgy)
  by the Sacred Congregation of Rites, 1967.
  
  
• Vicesimus Quintus Annus (Apostolic Letter: On the 25th Anniversary of the Liturgical Constitution)
  by Pope John Paul II, 1988.
  
  
• Voluntati Obsequens (Letter to Bishops on the Minimum Repertoire of Plain Chant) (alt)
  by the Sacred Congregation for Divine Worship, 1974
  
  
• Directory for Masses With Children
  by the Sacred Congregation for Divine Worship, November 1, 1973 (Catholic Liturgy).
  
  
• Directory for Sunday Celebrations in the Absence of a Priest
  by the Sacred Congregation for the Sacraments and Divine Worship, 1988.
  
  
• Norms on the Use of Eucharistic Prayers I-IV
  by the Sacred Congregation of Rites, 1968.
  
  
• Responses to questions on the posture and gestures of the people at Mass, and placement of the tabernacle
  by Cardinal Jorge Arturo Medina Estévez, prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments, 2000.
  
  
• General Introduction to the Lectionary (Second Edition)
  by the Sacred Congregation for the Sacraments and Divine Worship, 1981.
  
  
• Fourth instruction: Inculturation and the Roman Liturgy (alt)
  by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, 1994.
  
  
• Norms for the Translation of Biblical Texts for Use in the Liturgy
  by Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, 1995.
  
  
• Canons of the Council of Trent - 1545-1563, Canons on the Eucharist and the Mass (alt)
  
  
• Ignatius of Antioch - Epistles
  First document to use the "Catholic Church" (Smyrn. 8,2). Priests and deacons under bishop, who represents Christ as teacher, ruler, high priest with control over liturgy.
  
  

• Christus Dominus (Concerning the Discipline to be Observed with Respect to the Eucharistic Fast)
  by Pope Pius XII, 1953.
  
  
• Dans Ces Derniers Temps (Declaration on the Position of the Catholic Church on the Celebration of the Eucharist in Common by Christians of Different Confessions)
  by Secretariat for the Promotion of the Unity of Christians, 1970.
  
  
• Dominicae Cenae (On the Mystery and Worship of the Eucharist) (alt)
  by Pope John Paul II, 1980.
  
  
• Dopo Le Publicazione (Note Interpreting the "Instruction On Admitting Other Christians to Eucharistic Communion in the Catholic Church Under Certain Circumstances")
  by Secretariat for the Promotion of the Unity of Christians, 1973.
  
  
• Ecclesia De Eucharistia
  Encyclical Letter of His Holiness Pope John Paul II to the Bishops, Priests and Deacons, Men and Women in the Consecrated Life and all the Lay Faithful on the Eucharist in its Relationship to the Church. Given in Rome, at Saint Peter's, April 17, 2003.
  
  
• Ecclesiae Semper (Promulgation of the Rites of Concelebration and of Communion Under Both Kinds)
  by the Sacred Congregation of Rites, 1965.
  
  
• En Rreponse A La Demande (Letter granting to various Bishops' Conferences permission for Communion in the hand and laying down norms for its implementation)
  by the Sacred Congregation for Divine Worship, 1969.
  
  
• Eucharisticum Mysterium (Instruction On Worship of the Eucharistic Mystery) (alt)
  by the Sacred Congregation of Rites and confirmed by Pope Paul VI, 1967.
  
  
• Immensae Caritatis (On Facilitating Reception of Communion in Certain Circumstances) (alt)
  by Sacred Congregation of the Sacraments, 1973.
  
  
• In Quibus Rerum Circumstantiis (On admitting Other Christians to Eucharistic Communion in the Catholic Church)
  by Secretariat for the Promotion of the Unity of Christians, 1972.
  
  
• Memoriale Domini (Instruction on the Manner of Distributing Holy Communion) (alt)
  by the Sacred Congregation for Divine Worship, 1969.
  
  
• Mirae Caritatis (Encyclical On the Holy Eucharist) (alt)
  by Pope Leo XIII, 1902.
  
  
• Mysterium Fidei (On the Holy Eucharist - Mystery of Faith)
  by Pope Paul VI, 1965, very important document on the Eucharist.
  
  
• Quam Singulari (Decree of the Sacred Congregation of the Discipline of the Sacraments on First Communion)
  - 1910.
  
  
• Redemptor Hominis (The Redeemer of Man) (alt)
  by Pope Paul II, 1979, section 20 is on the Eucharist and Penance
  
  
• Sacra Tridentina (Decree on Frequent and Daily Reception of Holy Communion)
  - 1905.
  
  
• Sacramentali Communione (Instruction extending the practice of communion under both kinds)
  by the Sacred Congregation for Divine Worship, 1970.
  
  
• Sanctus Pontifex (Confession Before First Communion)
  by the Sacred Congregations of the Sacraments and for the Clergy,1973.
  
  
• Tertio Mellennio Adveniente (As the Third Millennium Draws Near)
  by Pope John Paul II, 1994, Preparing for the Great Jubilee of the year 2000 which will be intensely Eucharistic.
  
  
• Catechism of the Catholic Church: Eucharist
  by a commission under Pope John Paul II, 1993.
  
  
• Instruction on Eucharistic Worship by the Sacred Congregation of Rites
  - 1967.
  
  
• The Second Vatican Council 1962-1965, many sections on the Eucharist (alt) (alt)
  - (excerpts on Eucharist).
  
  
• Council of Trent - 1545-1563 (alt)
  - strongly counters doctrinal errors of the Reformation, see Sessions 13 and 21.
  
  
• 46th International Eucharistic Congress - Poland - On The Eucharist and Freedom, 1997
  
  
• Addendum of the General Catechetical Directory - The First Reception of the Sacraments of Penance and the Eucharist
  by Sacred Congregation for the Clergy, 1971.
  
  
• The Roman Ritual - Apostolic Constitution of Pope Paul VI on the Roman Ritual, 1952-1964, Section on the Eucharist
  - (rite, general rules, etc.).
  
  
• Concerning the Reception of Holy Communion by Divorced and Remarried Members of the Faithful  (alt)  (alt)
  - issued under instruction by John Paul II by the Vatican Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, 1994.
  
  
• On Communion for Divorced and Remarried Persons
  by the Pontifical Council for the Interpretation of Legislative Texts, 2000.
  
  
• Letter on the Use of Extraordinary Ministers of Communion (U.S.)
  by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, 2000.
  
  
• Norms for Communion Under Both Species in Latin Church - (Congregation for Divine Worship)
  In the United States, newly revised norms for the distribution and reception of Holy Communion under both species by Catholics in the United States have been approved by the Vatican and decreed by the President of the Bishops' Conference. They became effective 7 April, 2003. The previous June, the members approved the norms and on March 22 the Holy See confirmed them. The new norms replace the US Bishops' 1984 directory on the matter.
  
  
• Posture of the Faithful Following Communion
  by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments - June 5, 2003
  
  
• Norms for the use of Low-Gluten Bread and "Mustum" (alt)
  by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, Prefect Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, August 22, 1994.
  
  
• Contempt for the Eucharist
  by the Pontifical Council for the Interpretation of Legislative Texts, 1999.
  
  
• Kneeling to Receive Holy Communion
  
  
• Documents on First Confession / First Communion
  by The Holy See, 1973-1994.
  
  
• Mary leads us to Eucharist (alt)
  Message of Pope John Paul II to 19th International Marian Congress Czestochowa, Poland, 1996.
  
  
• Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ
  by Pope John Paul II, 1995.
  
  

• Ecclesia De Eucharistia
  Encyclical Letter of His Holiness Pope John Paul II to the Bishops, Priests and Deacons, Men and Women in the Consecrated Life and all the Lay Faithful on the Eucharist in its Relationship to the Church. Given in Rome, at Saint Peter's, April 17, 2003.
  
  
• Eucharisticum Mysterium (Instruction On Worship of the Eucharistic Mystery) (alt)
  by the Sacred Congregation of Rites and confirmed by Pope Paul VI, 1967.
  
  
• Eucharistiae Sacramentum (Holy Communion and Worship of the Eucharist Outside Mass)
  by Sacred Congregation for Divine Worship, 1973.
  
  
•    Inaestimabile Donum (Instruction Concerning Worship of the Eucharistic Mystery) (alt)
  prepared by the Sacred Congregation for the Sacraments and Divine Worship and confirmed by Pope John Paul II, 1980.
  
  
• Pope John Paul II Recalls and Encourages National Eucharistic Devotion
  Talk that Pope John Paul II gave during visit to Ireland, 1979.
  
  
• Eucharist: Sacrament of Human Pilgrimage
  by Pope John Paul II, 1996, Corpus Christi Mass and Eucharistic Procession Through Streets of Rome.
  
  
• Perpetual Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
  by Committee on the Liturgy, National Conference of Catholic Bishops, 1997.
  
  
• Notes on the Recitation of the Rosary During Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
  by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, 1998.
  
  

• Ecclesiae de Mysterio (Instruction on Certain Questions Regarding the Collaboration of the Non-Ordained Faithful in the Sacred Ministry of Priest) (alt) (alt)
  by 7 Roman Dicasteries (Congregations and Commissions), August 15,1997.
  
  
• Ecclesiae Semper (Promulgation of the Rites of Concelebration and of Communion Under Both Kinds)
  by the Sacred Congregation of Rites, 1965.
  
  
• In Celebratione Missae (Declaration on Concelebration)
  by the Sacred Congregation for Divine Worship, 1972.
  
  
• Inter Insigniores (Declaration on the Question of Admission of Women to the Ministerial Priesthood)
  by the Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, October 15, 1976.
  
  
• Ordinatio Sacerdoltalis (Apostolic Letter on Reserving Priestly Odination to Men Alone)
  by His Holiness Pope John Paul II, 1994.
  
  
• Presbyterorum Ordinis (Vatican II - Decree On the Ministry and Life of Priests) (alt)
  by Pope Paul VI, 1965.
  
  
• Ratio Fundamentalis Instutionis Sacerdotaolis (Spiritual Formation in Seminaries)
  by the Sacred Congregation for Catholic Education, 1980, has sections on Sacrament and Sacrifice, Eucharistic Adoration.
  
  
• On the Orientation of the Priest at Mass
  - September 25, 2000.
  
  
• Instruction on Liturgical Formation in Seminaries by the Sacred Congregation for Catholic Education
  - 1979.
  
  
• The Priest and the Third Christian Millennium: Teacher of the Word, Minister of the Sacraments and Leader of the Community (alt)
  by The Congregation for the Clergy, 1999.
  
  
• Directory on the Ministry and Life of Priests (alt)
  by the Congregation for the Clergy, 1994, Sections 48-50 are on the Eucharist.
  
  
• Priesthood and Pastoral Care of the Family
  by Pope John Paul II, 1994. Includes aspects on the Eucharist.
  
  

Other Topic Documents

• Index to Encyclicals and Other Papal Documents by date and by Pope.
• Documents by Topic in EWTN Library, Search.
• The Holy See: Vatican Web Site - Papal addresses and Church Documents.
• Church Documents at CIN
• New Advent - Church Documents.
• Catechism of the Catholic Church (alt) - most recent catechism
• Baltimore Catechism
• The Catholic Liturgy Library - Documents

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