MADISON — The Diocese of Madison recently released guidelines, developed at the Priests’ Council meeting September 10, for the reception of Holy Communion and other moments of possible contagion during the Eucharistic Liturgy in the context of this year’s flu season.
The guidelines were released in a memo dated September 14 to priests, deacons, and lay faithful and are expected to be published in parish bulletins throughout the diocese during the weekends of September 19 and 20 and September 27 and 27.
The guidelines were developed primarily due to the expected spread of the H1N1 virus, or “swine flu,” and the common flu season. The guidelines address such topics as the offering of both species of Holy Communion, the reception of Holy Communion on the tongue, refraining from attending Mass or from receiving the Precious Blood, shaking hands at the Greeting of Peace, and holding hands at the “Our Father.”
For more information, visit the Swine Flu page on the Diocese of Madison Web site, www.madisondiocese.org Click on the “Parishes” tab in the menu at the top of the page or on the link in the “Latest news” module. A PDF of the bishop’s communication to priests is available here: Bishop Morlino’s Memo Re: reception of Holy Communion/possible contagion