The PAX --instructions from the Vatican

(from Redemptionis Sacramentum. The Pax in the modern Roman Rite is not at the same position as in the vast majority of modern Anglican Rites [where it is the division, as it were, between the Ministry of Word and Sacrament]. In the Roman Rite the Pax is after the Eucharistic Prayer & the Lord's Prayer and is thus part of the "Communion Rite" and is strictly associated with peace and fellowship, for reconciliation between those at enmity is covered at the beginning of the R C Mass by the act of penitence there. In this recent INSTRUCTION the priest is instructed to remain within the sanctuary and not go walkabout and the faithful are to stay where they are also and share the peace in a dignified manner according to local customs in harmony with local cultural norms for such. Further, the Breaking of the Bread after the Pax is to be done with great reverence but also briefly and without worldly show.

BECAUSE OF EXCESSES AND ABUSES IT WOULD SEEM ALSO THAT ANGLICANS USING MODERN RITES NEED TO HAVE SOME AUTHORITATIVE INSTRUCTION ON WHAT IS THE PAX AND HOW IT IS TO BE SHARED -- THAT IS, IF SHARING IT PHYSICALLY IS TO BE PART OF THE RITUAL OF THE EUCHARIST. )

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[71.] The practice of the Roman Rite is to be maintained according to which the peace is extended shortly before Holy Communion. For according to the tradition of the Roman Rite, this practice does not have the connotation either of reconciliation or of a remission of sins, but instead signifies peace, communion and charity before the reception of the Most Holy Eucharist. It is rather the Penitential Act to be carried out at the beginning of Mass (especially in its first form) which has the character of reconciliation among brothers and sisters.

[72.] It is appropriate "that each one give the sign of peace only to those who are nearest and in a sober manner". "The Priest may give the sign of peace to the ministers but always remains within the sanctuary, so as not to disturb the celebration. He does likewise if for a just reason he wishes to extend the sign of peace to some few of the faithful". "As regards the sign to be exchanged, the manner is to be established by the Conference of Bishops in accordance with the dispositions and customs of the people", and their acts are subject to the recognitio of the Apostolic See.

[73.] In the celebration of Holy Mass the breaking of the Eucharistic Bread - done only by the Priest celebrant, if necessary with the help of a Deacon or of a concelebrant - begins after the exchange of peace, while the Agnus Dei is being recited. For the gesture of breaking bread "carried out by Christ at the Last Supper, which in apostolic times gave the whole eucharistic action its name, signifies that the faithful, though they are many, are made one Body in the communion of the one Bread of Life who is Christ, who died and rose for the world's salvation" (cf. 1 Cor 10,17).For this reason the rite must be carried out with great reverence. Even so, it should be brief. The abuse that has prevailed in some places, by which this rite is unnecessarily prolonged and given undue emphasis, with laypersons also helping in contradiction to the norms, should be corrected with all haste.

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[A FURTHER NOTE - for a copy of THE SERVICE OF HOLY COMMUNION (1928) ANNOTATED from the PBS call 1 800 727 1928. To see the latest edition of The Mandate wherein are some excellent articles on the history of the ECUSA since the 1960s view at the website, www.episcopalian.org/pbs1928. Visit also www.anglicanmarketplace.com for details of the publications and CD's of the Prayer Book Society of the USA.

The latest book, Neither Orthodoxy nor a Formulary, a study of the 1979 ECUSA Prayer Book based upon mature study & reflection, by Dr Tarsitano and Dr Toon, and a CD of the massive & invaluable resource book, Anglicanism, by More & Cross from the 1920s (800 pages), will be available by the middle of May. Call 1 800 -PBS-1928 for help with any matter or visit the website, or both.