A: As a point of clarification, the Roman Missal, commonly called The Sacramentary, has always had a set of rubrics (Latin for 'rules') or commonly called instructions dictating how the Holy Mass must be said. These rubrics also include the few options available to the celebrants. These rubrics have been changed and updated from time-to-time over the years with each change binding upon the clergy and the faithful. The most recent changes to the General Instruction of the Roman Missal¹ were approved by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments on 03/17/2003. Since there have been some abuses in the way that Holy Mass has been celebrated over the past few years, the Congregation for Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments issued a binding document called Norms for the Distribution and Reception of Holy Communion Under Both Kinds in the Dioceses of the United State of America² on 03/22/2002. Both of the above documents became effective upon publication. A reasonable time is presumed for the various dioceses to read, explain, and implement the changes within respective dioceses. The Cleveland, Ohio Catholic Diocese implemented the changes from the above two documents effective the first week of Advent, 2003.

With all of the above information in mind, the information that only about three Catholic dioceses in the US having adopted these changes is probably not accurate. As I already stated, the changes in both documents are binding upon all Catholic dioceses in the US as soon as they are published with some sort of reasonable time table to ready and teach all of the clergy and faithful in each diocese. A word of caution: Some of the changes are mandatory and must be done by the clergy and/or faithful to whom they are directed. Other changes are optional and can be suggested or requested by your diocese but may not be forced upon you or mandated. An example of the former is that we must now make a bow of our head before receiving Jesus in the Holy Eucharist. This is mandatory for all of the faithful. An example of the latter is that we must stand after receiving Holy Communion until the last person in the Church has received. This is optional and we have the choice to stand, sit, or kneel as soon as we return to our pew.

I hope that this has answered your question regarding the changes now in effect for Holy Mass and Holy Communion in the Cleveland, Ohio diocese. If more clarification is needed, please ask. This Q&A may be provided to or used by anyone that it can help as long as it is reproduced in its entirety.