A New Eucharist Invention!

[Eliza10]

Our deacon has invented a new method for handing out the Eucharist.

He looks each communicant in the eye, and while doing so, he pronounces boldly: “The Body of Christ.”

[In response to this, a communicant normally says:“Amen.”]

Then he looks down to his bowl and picks a Eucharist out and hands it to the communicant.

This deacon defends this practice saying that the *parishoner *represents the Body of Christ.

He does this inventive proceedure while standing alongside the Priest, who does it the way its always done.

The Priest has been informed, but the practice continues.

What do you think?

What would you do?

 

[AlexV]

The city where you are posting from says it all.

Your problems have lasted for about 3 decades…and nothing has been done about it.

 

[Michael_Welter]

Does the Deacon believe that the Eucharist is the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Christ? It sounds like he doesn’t, since he is placing the focus on the individual, rather than on the King of kings present in the Eucharist.

 

[Mom_of_5]

Our priests, deacons, etc. do it much the same way. How should it be done?? I don’t hear any “loud” “Body of Christ”, just normal tone. When someone is hard of hearing, they tend to talk louder, or is this not the problem? Looking the communicant in the eyes? Taking the host out of the bowl? It has never occurred to me that any of this was a problem Please tell us how communion should be distributed. (I prefer the old altar rail, communion by mouth, but since that is gone, my wish shall not be granted.) Seriously, I just don’t understand the “problem”.

Love and peace,
Mom of 5

 

[kaygee]

It’s the order that’s the problem.

The priest/deacon/emhc ought to hold the Body of Christ before the communicant, so the communicant may take HIM in with his/her eyes, hear the words “The Body of Christ,” then receive HIM. It is NOT a personal interchange between the minister and communicant, it’s a presentation of Christ so the communicant may interact with HIM.

 

[tee_eff_em]

Our priests, deacons, etc. do it much the same way. How should it be done??

Please tell us how communion should be distributed.

The GIRM (IGMR) (with emphasis):

1. If Communion is given only under the species of bread, the priest raises the host slightly and shows it to each, saying, *Corpus Christi (The Body of Christ). *The communicant replies, Amen, and receives the Sacrament…

161. Si Communio sub specie tantum panis fit, sacerdos hostiam parum elevatam unicuique ostendit dicens: Corpus Christi. Communicandus respondet: Amen, et Sacramentum recipit…

tee

 

[estesbob]

Our deacon has invented a new method for handing out the Eucharist.

He looks each communicant in the eye, and while doing so, he pronounces boldly: “The Body of Christ.”

[In response to this, a communicant normally says:“Amen.”]

Then he looks down to his bowl and picks a Eucharist out and hands it to the communicant.

This deacon defends this practice saying that the *parishoner *represents the Body of Christ.

He does this inventive proceedure while standing alongside the Priest, who does it the way its always done.

The Priest has been informed, but the practice continues.

What do you think?

What would you do?

The Deacon is making the distribtion of Communion all about HIM-not about giving people the Body of Christ. Anytime you see anyone do these “cute” little innovations you know its all ego driven and all about bringing attention to themsleves. i suspect he was just thrilled to death that you asked him why he was doing it that way as he could then lecture you on how much wiser he was than everybody else.

 

[arieh0310]

This deacon defends this practice saying that the *parishoner *represents the Body of Christ.

If the parishioner is as much the Body of Christ as the Eucharist perhaps we should create a giant monstrance for a parishioner to sit in for the faithful to adore.

 

[kaygee]

If the parishioner is as much the Body of Christ as the Eucharist perhaps we should create a giant monstrance for a parishioner to sit in for the faithful to adore.

But . . . with regard to the deacon in question . . . what is to be done? If he refuses to follow the GIRM at minimum, should the pastor replace an Ordinary minister with an Extraordinary minister who will? Or stand alone or what

 

[Pug]

What do you think?

What would you do?

If it were me, and I felt that I had done what charity required to correct the situation, then I would remove it from my mind. I would sit to the side at mass so that I would not be tempted to get annoyed at mass by observing or hearing him. Also, I would pray for him, but not too extensively. I’d pray once and then I’d instead apologize to God for every time I’ve failed to properly appreciate him in the Eucharist. Then I’d switch to a more general prayer, one that focuses outward to Jesus or something, but perhaps still on the topic of the Eucharist.

 

[John_Lilburne]

Our deacon has invented a new method for handing out the Eucharist.

He looks each communicant in the eye, and while doing so, he pronounces boldly: “The Body of Christ.”

[In response to this, a communicant normally says:“Amen.”]

Then he looks down to his bowl and picks a Eucharist out and hands it to the communicant.

This deacon defends this practice saying that the *parishoner *represents the Body of Christ.

He does this inventive proceedure while standing alongside the Priest, who does it the way its always done.

The Priest has been informed, but the practice continues.

What do you think?

What would you do?

How to fix the disobedience depends on the situation. I think my approach would start with talking with the deacon. “You are not following the liturgical book, 2002 GIRM
“161. If Communion is given only under the species of bread, the priest raises the host slightly and shows it to each, saying, Corpus Christi (The Body of Christ).”
I think you should follow this.”

Then I think write letters saying this, to the deacon, then the parish priest, then the Archbishop, then the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments.

Perhaps discuss it with others in the community.

Probably I would make a point of not going to this deacon to receive Communion, if there were reasonable alternatives.

 

[netmilsmom]

The Deacon is making the distribtion of Communion all about HIM-not about giving people the Body of Christ. Anytime you see anyone do these “cute” little innovations you know its all ego driven and all about bringing attention to themsleves. i suspect he was just thrilled to death that you asked him why he was doing it that way as he could then lecture you on how much wiser he was than everybody else.

Truth be told!
(you can’t know how much I admire your way with words!)

 

[KnightforChrist]

How to fix the disobedience depends on the situation. I think my approach would start with talking with the deacon. “You are not following the liturgical book, 2002 GIRM
“161. If Communion is given only under the species of bread, the priest raises the host slightly and shows it to each, saying, Corpus Christi (The Body of Christ).”
I think you should follow this.”

Then I think write letters saying this, to the deacon, then the parish priest, then the Archbishop, then the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments.

Perhaps discuss it with others in the community.

Probably I would make a point of not going to this deacon to receive Communion, if there were reasonable alternatives.

Follow this reporting order !!!

 

[Mom_of_5]

I just returned from Mass. The priest held the host,said “Body of Christ”, put it in my hand as I said Amen. I thought about this post while at Mass. Funny how I never paid a lot of attention to what order the priest presented the Eucharist. I have been in prayer recieving the Eucharist, not concerned with what the priest/deacon/Eucharist minister did correctly. I must be a better Catholic and watch for the errors of these people at the altar making note and reporting. Prayer has to go!!

Love and peace,
Mom of 5

 

[runandsew]

A few years ago, our parish would say “Body of Christ” instead of “The body of Christ”, and the reason given that it was done that way was that we were the body of Christ. With a new priest, we now say “The Body of Christ”

 

[netmilsmom]

I must be a better Catholic and watch for the errors of these people at the altar making note and reporting. Prayer has to go!!

No, you are just blessed that you do not have to endure the abuse that the OP has had to.

Being from a parish that was abuse central and to a parish that is (heaven on Earth) abuse free, I always pray in thanksgiving for my blessing in being led to a truly Holy Mass and for those who like the OP are uncomfortable in their liturgy.

I’m praying for you Eliza!

 

[giuseppeTO]

Our deacon has invented a new method for handing out the Eucharist.

He looks each communicant in the eye, and while doing so, he pronounces boldly: “The Body of Christ.”

[In response to this, a communicant normally says:“Amen.”]

Then he looks down to his bowl and picks a Eucharist out and hands it to the communicant.

This deacon defends this practice saying that the *parishoner *represents the Body of Christ.

He does this inventive proceedure while standing alongside the Priest, who does it the way its always done.

The Priest has been informed, but the practice continues.

What do you think?

What would you do?

Clearly heresy and yet another example of Novus Ordo abuse of the Blessed Sacrament and the hierarchy’s refusal to correct abuse.

We only chastise schismatics who say the TLM. This doesn’t warrant serious attention.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Our deacon has invented a new method for handing out the Eucharist.

He looks each communicant in the eye, and while doing so, he pronounces boldly: “The Body of Christ.”

[In response to this, a communicant normally says:“Amen.”]

Then he looks down to his bowl and picks a Eucharist out and hands it to the communicant.

This deacon defends this practice saying that the *parishoner *represents the Body of Christ.

He does this inventive proceedure while standing alongside the Priest, who does it the way its always done.

The Priest has been informed, but the practice continues.

What do you think?

What would you do?

Inform the Bishop. The Deacon is responsible to the Bishop not the parish priest.

 

[Eliza10]

Inform the Bishop. The Deacon is responsible to the Bishop not the parish priest.

Thanks for explaining the heirarchy - I didn’t know.

Only thing is, I don’t have a great deal of confidence our bishop will care about liturgical abuses and disrespect for Our Lord in the Eucharist. Of course I can’t be sure until I try. But suppose I do bring it up and he doesn’t care, or, more likely, being he seems very diplomatic, he could possibly say, “We’ll look into it,” and then do nothing about it at all, while Mass after Mass continues in the same way.

What do I do then?

Also, what is the proper procedure for informing the bishop of a problem?

 

[Eliza10]

A few years ago, our parish would say “Body of Christ” instead of “The body of Christ”, and the reason given that it was done that way was that we were the body of Christ. With a new priest, we now say “The Body of Christ”

Wow. In fact he may have said it that way. He may have left off the “The”.