THE REAL PRESENCE

CHRIST IN THE EUCHARIST

Vatican II

DECREE ON THE CATHOLIC CHURCHES OF THE EASTERN RITE

ORIENTALIUM ECCLESIARUM

Excerpts on the Eucharist

Promulgated By His Holiness, Pope Paul VI on November 21, 1964

THE DISCIPLINE OF THE SACRAMENTS

12. The Sacred Ecumenical Council confirms and approves the ancient discipline of the sacraments existing in the Oriental Churches, as also the ritual practices connected with their celebration and administration and ardently desires that this should be re-established if circumstances warrant it.

15. The faithful are bound to take part on Sundays and feast days in the Divine Liturgy or, according to the regulations or custom of their own rite, in the celebration of the Divine Office.[17] That the faithful may be able more easily to fulfill their obligation, it is laid down that the period of time within which the precept should be observed extends from the Vespers of the vigil to the end of the Sunday or the feast day.[18] The faithful are earnestly exhorted to receive Holy Communion on these days, and indeed more frequently yes, even daily.[19]

RELATIONS WITH THE BRETHREN OF THE SEPARATED CHURCHES

27. Without prejudice to the principles noted earlier, Eastern Christians who are in fact separated in good faith from the Catholic Church, if they ask of their own accord and have the right dispositions, may be admitted to the sacraments of Penance, the Eucharist and the Anointing of the Sick. Further, Catholics may ask for these same sacraments from those non-Catholic ministers whose churches possess valid sacraments, as often as necessity or a genuine spiritual benefit recommends such a course and access to a Catholic priest is physically or morally impossible.[33]