A bit confused about who can get the Host from the Tabernacle

[Convert2013]

This past weekend while on away for the weekend and attending Mass I paid particular attention to how things were done before/ during communion. This is the 2nd time I’ve seen this in the same Parish. Is it “ok” for an altar server or anyone other than Priest or Deacon to get the Host from the Tabernacle?

The priest has some physical limitations and it is difficult for him to maneuver around. So the lady who was helping this past weekend, simply went to the Tabernacle - no genuflect - got the Hosts out and brought them to the altar. Afterwards, she simply walked over and put the remaining Hosts back, again NO genuflect.

A couple of months ago, the same thing at the same parish - same priest. Is this legit? I didn’t think anyone could do this but a Priest or Deacon.

We also sang the “Our Father” which I felt was very odd. I guess that could be another thread in itself!

 

[CB_Catholic]

This past weekend while on away for the weekend and attending Mass I paid particular attention to how things were done before/ during communion. This is the 2nd time I’ve seen this in the same Parish. Is it “ok” for an altar server or anyone other than Priest or Deacon to get the Host from the Tabernacle?

The priest has some physical limitations and it is difficult for him to maneuver around. So the lady who was helping this past weekend, simply went to the Tabernacle - no genuflect - got the Hosts out and brought them to the altar. Afterwards, she simply walked over and put the remaining Hosts back, again NO genuflect.

A couple of months ago, the same thing at the same parish - same priest. Is this legit? I didn’t think anyone could do this but a Priest or Deacon.

We also sang the “Our Father” which I felt was very odd. I guess that could be another thread in itself!

Our tabernacle is located in an alcove in a chapel at the back of the church. It would be extremely interruptive of the Mass for the priest to walk to the chapel to repose the hosts. An EMHC does this.
Now I know that people will say the tabernacle should be up front, but it is not, and it is what it is, and it is permitted for it to be there. So no comments on that end. We adjust to the situation.

As far as singing the Our Father, that is perfectly acceptable and has been done for centuries. Why would you think it twas a problem?

 

[1ke]

Is it “ok” for an altar server or anyone other than Priest or Deacon to get the Host from the Tabernacle?

GIRM 162 and 163 indicate that it is the priest should hand sacred vessels to extraordinary ministers and should repose the Eucharist in the tabernacle.

However, if this priest has physcial limitations, perhaps he has received permission from the bishop for an altar server or other person to assist-- just because you saw something does not necessarily mean it is illicit.

TheSo the lady who was helping this past weekend, simply went to the Tabernacle - no genuflect - got the Hosts out and brought them to the altar. Afterwards, she simply walked over and put the remaining Hosts back, again NO genuflect.

There is nothing in the rubrics themselves about this, and there are several opinions about genuflecting to the tabernacle when the Host is on the altar. Found here: ewtn.com/library/liturgy/zlitur424.htm

At any rate the GIRM prescribes no gesture in the actual rubric.

We also sang the “Our Father” which I felt was very odd. I guess that could be another thread in itself!

GIRM 81: The invitation, the Prayer itself, the embolism, and the doxology by which the people conclude these things are sung or said aloud.

 

[ajecphotos]

As an EMHC it is usually I that goes to the Tabernacle for the priest. I always genuflect before and after taking and putting back the Ciborium.

He prefers it if i go to the Tabernacle. It is such an honour to do so

 

[Convert2013]

Thanks for the replies! I didn’t assume just because I saw something it was illicit. It just seemed odd as I had never seen it before. I’ve only been to one church where the Tabernacle was not behind the altar and even in that one the priest was the one to get the Ciborium.

As with singing the Our Father …never did it before so I only wondered about it. Again, thanks for the responses!

 

[Reborn2013]

This past weekend while on away for the weekend and attending Mass I paid particular attention to how things were done before/ during communion. This is the 2nd time I’ve seen this in the same Parish. Is it “ok” for an altar server or anyone other than Priest or Deacon to get the Host from the Tabernacle? :

A couple of months ago, the same thing at the same parish - same priest. Is this legit? I didn’t think anyone could do this but a Priest or Deacon.

We also sang the “Our Father” which I felt was very odd. I guess that could be another thread in itself!

As with so many things, the correct answer is “it depends.” In the ordinary form, it is common for numerous people to stick their hands in the tabernacle, especially when there are a bunch or EMHCs. In a trad mass, it will only be the priest who places his hands in the tabernacle.

 

[Tarpeian_Rock]

GIRM 162 and 163 indicate that it is the priest should hand sacred vessels to extraordinary ministers and should repose the Eucharist in the tabernacle.

However, if this priest has physcial limitations, perhaps he has received permission from the bishop for an altar server or other person to assist-- just because you saw something does not necessarily mean it is illicit.

There is nothing in the rubrics themselves about this, and there are several opinions about genuflecting to the tabernacle when the Host is on the altar. Found here: ewtn.com/library/liturgy/zlitur424.htm

At any rate the GIRM prescribes no gesture in the actual rubric.

GIRM 81: The invitation, the Prayer itself, the embolism, and the doxology by which the people conclude these things are sung or said aloud.

Does it seem strange that the deacon, who is an Ordinary Minister of Holy Communion, and who in another setting is authorized to conduct Benediction and bless with the monstrance, is not, according to the GIRM, authorized to repose the ciboria in the tabernacle? Wonder why the GIRM would impose this limitation.

 

[agnes_therese]

As with so many things, the correct answer is “it depends.” In the ordinary form, it is common for numerous people to stick their hands in the tabernacle, especially when there are a bunch or EMHCs. In a trad mass, it will only be the priest who places his hands in the tabernacle.

So, the priest “places” his hands in the tabernacle, but if it’s anyone else, they “stick” their hands in the tabernacle?

 

[1ke]

Does it seem strange that the deacon, who is an Ordinary Minister of Holy Communion, and who in another setting is authorized to conduct Benediction and bless with the monstrance, is not, according to the GIRM, authorized to repose the ciboria in the tabernacle? Wonder why the GIRM would impose this limitation.

I believe you are reading into the GIRM what is not there. The GIRM says the priest hands the vessels to the extraordinary ministers. The deacon is not an extraordinary minister and may handle the vessels.

 

[Dodge_pursuit]

I was shocked the first time I saw EMHCs going into the tabernacle in our parish. I couldn’t recall, honestly, in I had read anything suggesting it was not allowed but it just didn’t sit right with me for some reason.

I asked one EM about it and was told, “We’ve been doing that for years.”

After some research (on this forum) it seemed clear that it was not forbidden but, like so many things, various bishops and even particular pastors could regulate such things as needed. It seemed one of those things that I just needed to do what our pastor says and let it be.

I spoke to our pastor after confession the other day and asked him about it. He said he allows the EMs to have access to the tabernacle, to remove hosts to put in a pyx or to return hosts that were not distributed. One note, this access is always before or after mass, never during mass!

So, in my case, “Monsignor has spoken.”

Have a blessed week.