Redemptionis sacramentum
Redemptionis sacramentum ( Latin : the sacrament of redemption ) is the title of the instruction "on some things concerning the most holy Eucharist that are to be observed and avoided". The document, dated March 25, 2004, was published on April 23, 2004 by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Order of the Sacraments, after consultation with the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith . Already in his encyclical " Ecclesia de Eucharistia " (Church from the Eucharist) of April 17, 2003, Pope John Paul II pointed out the appearance of this instruction.
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With these instructions, violations of the rules of the service are described and condemned as abuses of various weight. This arrangement is intended to correct the system deviations. The instruction has a foreword, eight chapters and a conclusion. In chapter I. it takes up "the rules of the sacred liturgy " and names the responsible group of people. This is followed by Chapter II. On “the participation of lay faithful Christians in the celebration of the Eucharist”, including the tasks involved. In Chapter III. is described “the proper celebration of Holy Mass ” with its structure and rites and in Chapter IV. the explanation about “Holy Communion ” follows . Chapter V. deals with “some other aspects relating to the Eucharist”, which essentially deals with practical things such as the place, elements of the celebration of mass, sacred vessels and liturgical vestments . In Chapter VI. deals with “the keeping of the Most Holy Eucharist and its veneration outside of Mass ”. In Chapter VII follows “the extraordinary tasks of the lay faithful” in the area of communion, sermons and special celebrations. It is also pointed out that those released from the clergy are forbidden in principle to “take on any office or any task in the celebration of the sacred liturgy”. Chapter VIII deals with "serious offenses" ("graviora delicta") by priests. “Complaints about abuses in the liturgy” “to the diocesan bishop ... or to the Apostolic See” are described as the right of Catholics as “their remedies”.