Abuse of the Eucharist

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Yesterday, I attended the Sunday vigil Mass at a different parish than where I usually attend. After the Eucharist had been distributed, and the EMHC’s were returning their unused hosts, one EMHC approached the altar with a single host in hand. Father indicated for her to place it on the altar, and she did that. When Father turned his back to collect the other vessels, the woman reached up to the altar, grabbed that host and stuffed it into her pants pocket!!! I was mortified to see someone who had just distributed the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of our Lord act with such irreverence and disrespect!
This has been bothering me all night long, especially since the homily was about not being afraid to stand up for our Catholic beliefs. And then I turned on Father Corapi last night and listened to his great love of the Eucharist, and his telling of how his defending Christ in the Eucharist almost cost him his vocation. I was deeply ashamed that I was too cowardly to say something to the priest after Mass. The first thing I did this morning when I woke up was to email the priest of that parish to express my concerns.
I don’t really have a question or anything, I think I just needed to talk about this. I think I am more upset at myself for knowing what the right thing to do was and not doing it, than I am at the woman for showing such deep disregard for Christ in the Eucharist.

Thanks for listening.
 
She stuffed into her pocket, no pyx, no handling it to her by the priest? Given her role in the parish, that seems very bizarre – not exactly a shining example of a EMHC. I’m sure most of us would be a little shocked and not be able to respond immediately…at least the matter is in the pastor’s hands now.
 
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Confiteor:
She stuffed into her pocket, no pyx, no handling it to her by the priest? Given her role in the parish, that seems very bizarre – not exactly a shining example of a EMHC. I’m sure most of us would be a little shocked and not be able to respond immediately…at least the matter is in the pastor’s hands now.
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It was quite bizarre! She carried it in her hand, separate from the rest of the unused hosts (which were still in the vessel). The priest did not take it from her, he simply pointed to the altar, indicating that she was to place it there. The next instant, when Father’s back was turned, she grabbed it off the altar and stuffed it in her pocket. The priest never touched it.
 
Judy,

This is off topic, but I also watched Father Corapi last evening. What disturbed me is that the announcer said something like, “although Father Corapi has gone to his eternal reward, we will continue to air his teachings …”

Did I hear correctly? Did you hear this? Or did the announcer refer to something else? I checked his website and EWTN, but there was nothing about his having died.

Carole
 
If I had witnessed this scene my first assumption would be that the host had been dropped on the floor, and the EMHC was returning it to Father for proper care, but the pants pocket thing is very bizarre, glad you told the priest, which is your clear duty. It is his problem now, so just pray the fatima prayer or prayer before a crucifix for all the sacrileges and abuses of this sacrament.
 
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puzzleannie:
If I had witnessed this scene my first assumption would be that the host had been dropped on the floor, and the EMHC was returning it to Father for proper care, but the pants pocket thing is very bizarre, glad you told the priest, which is your clear duty. It is his problem now, so just pray the fatima prayer or prayer before a crucifix for all the sacrileges and abuses of this sacrament.
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**
“Proper care” is consuming it on the spot!**

It is astounding to find the low level of education and training many “sanctuary-based” ministers have. I would (struggle) to be charitable and teaching the first time I saw something like this.

If there was a second time I would want to be harshly (although not personal) direct. Not to vent, but for the information to properly propogate through the ministry.
 
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juno24:
Yesterday, I attended the Sunday vigil Mass at a different parish than where I usually attend. After the Eucharist had been distributed, and the EMHC’s were returning their unused hosts, one EMHC approached the altar with a single host in hand. Father indicated for her to place it on the altar, and she did that. When Father turned his back to collect the other vessels, the woman reached up to the altar, grabbed that host and stuffed it into her pants pocket!!! I was mortified to see someone who had just distributed the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of our Lord act with such irreverence and disrespect!
This has been bothering me all night long, especially since the homily was about not being afraid to stand up for our Catholic beliefs. And then I turned on Father Corapi last night and listened to his great love of the Eucharist, and his telling of how his defending Christ in the Eucharist almost cost him his vocation. I was deeply ashamed that I was too cowardly to say something to the priest after Mass. The first thing I did this morning when I woke up was to email the priest of that parish to express my concerns.
I don’t really have a question or anything, I think I just needed to talk about this. I think I am more upset at myself for knowing what the right thing to do was and not doing it, than I am at the woman for showing such deep disregard for Christ in the Eucharist.

Thanks for listening.
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Are you sure that she was not indicating that she needed one host for a sick or shut-in visit? Many times EMHC’s will indicate the number of hosts needed. Was there an open pyx on the altar that she placed the host in and it just looked like she placed it on the altar? Then picked up the pyx and placed it in her pocket?
 
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Joysong:
Judy,

This is off topic, but I also watched Father Corapi last evening. What disturbed me is that the announcer said something like, “although Father Corapi has gone to his eternal reward, we will continue to air his teachings …”

Did I hear correctly? Did you hear this? Or did the announcer refer to something else? I checked his website and EWTN, but there was nothing about his having died.

Carole
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I didn’t hear that, but I sincerely hope it was in error, if it was stated. I just checked Father Corapi’s website, too, and it does not mention anything there. If you do hear anything further, please let us know.
 
Br. Rich SFO:
Are you sure that she was not indicating that she needed one host for a sick or shut-in visit? Many times EMHC’s will indicate the number of hosts needed. Was there an open pyx on the altar that she placed the host in and it just looked like she placed it on the altar? Then picked up the pyx and placed it in her pocket?
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She may have needed it for a sick parishioner, but she very clearly brought it up to the altar in her bare hand, and then proceeded to do as I explained before. No, there was no pyx on the altar (I was sitting very near, and had an excellent view of the altar). My first thought was that someone had dropped it, and she did not know what to do with it. But then when neither she nor Father consumed it, I thought maybe she was going to bring it to someone who was sick or home-bound. But she stuffed the host into her pocket and then went back to her pew. If this how that parish treats our Lord prior to a sick-call, it is very sad indeed.
 
I am a EMHC and we had specific teaching on what to do if the Eucharist falls on the floor, is spit out, or other unforseen mishaps. I can assure you that this would be unacceptable to anyone I know. The Priest will take care of this.
 
Rebecca, please explain what you’ve been instructed to do if a host falls on the floor or is dropped. I am a EM and wasn’t told this.

This thread definitely shows there isn’t enough training for EMs.
Code: 
     Peace begins with a smile.
🙂
 
Rebecca New:
I am a EMHC and we had specific teaching on what to do if the Eucharist falls on the floor, is spit out, or other unforseen mishaps.
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You apparently have more training than I do and maybe you can answer this question … what is the proper procedure if it is spit out?

I deliver Holy Communion to the sick and homebound. I had one case where a woman started choking on it and for a second there it looked like she was going to spit it out. If that had happened, what should I have done?

PS: Since my parish is obvious lacking in the “training aspect” of EMHC, could you provide me with some pointers, links, etc.? Thanks in advance.
 
Host dropped: Picked-up and immediately consumed by the person distributing communion.

Spit-out: If the person cannot receive communion (which should be ascertained if at all possible beforehand) place the Host back into the pyx. Take it back to the sacristy place it in a chalice and add some holy water. Wait until the host fully dissolves – this dosen’t take too long. Then pour the water down the sacrarium (NOT down the sewer) or in a garden where no one walks. Then purify the vessel.

We use very small/“light” hosts (or even a small fraction thereof) for people who have a problem with swallowing…
 
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juno24:
She may have needed it for a sick parishioner, but she very clearly brought it up to the altar in her bare hand, and then proceeded to do as I explained before. No, there was no pyx on the altar (I was sitting very near, and had an excellent view of the altar). My first thought was that someone had dropped it, and she did not know what to do with it. But then when neither she nor Father consumed it, I thought maybe she was going to bring it to someone who was sick or home-bound. But she stuffed the host into her pocket and then went back to her pew. If this how that parish treats our Lord prior to a sick-call, it is very sad indeed.
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It was my hope that you might have missed something. This was not only improper but absolutely forbidden.
 
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AnnaRose:
Rebecca, please explain what you’ve been instructed to do if a host falls on the floor or is dropped. I am a EM and wasn’t told this.

This thread definitely shows there isn’t enough training for EMs.

Peace begins with a smile.
🙂
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If the Host is dropped simply pick it up and consume it. If it is spit out simply pick it up in the purificator and leave it folded in the purificator until after Mass. It can then be taken care of by the priest.
 
AltarMan,
Thank you for answering my question about a dropped host. When I was first a EM I was walking back toward the tabernacle when I saw a host on the floor near a pew. Perhaps someone had dropped it while putting It in the mouth, and was embarrassed to look for it…well, anyway, I saw it and picked it up off the floor and instinctively consumed it, thinking “poor abandoned Jesus, I will love thee”. I had already received the body of Christ and thought I shouldn’t have done that. I didn’t say anything to the priest and have felt guilt all these years. Thank you for making me feel better. May God give you His choicest Blessing. 🙂
Code: 
    Keep the faith!
Remember Moses was a basket case!!! 👍
 
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AnnaRose:
AltarMan,
Thank you for answering my question about a dropped host. When I was first a EM I was walking back toward the tabernacle when I saw a host on the floor near a pew. Perhaps someone had dropped it while putting It in the mouth, and was embarrassed to look for it…well, anyway, I saw it and picked it up off the floor and instinctively consumed it, thinking “poor abandoned Jesus, I will love thee”. I had already received the body of Christ and thought I shouldn’t have done that. I didn’t say anything to the priest and have felt guilt all these years. Thank you for making me feel better. May God give you His choicest Blessing. 🙂
Code: 
    Keep the faith!
Remember Moses was a basket case!!! 👍
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Tragic things happen and you responded magnificently, thanks be to God!

I was serving Mass one day and it hit me that I did not place a pyx holding hosts (for the homebound) out on the altar for the consecration.

So during communion I turned my back and discreetly consumed the contents of the pyx (maybe 20 hosts) and then refilled it with the Body of Christ from the ciborium before it was reposed into the tabernacle.

Placing even the unconsecrated hosts in my pocket or on a dish would have rightfully freaked-out some people. Best to be safe…
 
Br. Rich SFO:
If the Host is dropped simply pick it up and consume it.
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But isn’t that self-communion? I thought that wasn’t allowed either except by a priest.
 
Sir Knight:
But isn’t that self-communion? I thought that wasn’t allowed either except by a priest.
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No that would not be considered self-communion, but a necessary action. An EMHC who is unable to deliver the Blessed Sacrament and unable to return the Blessed Sacrament to the tabernacle may also consume any extra Hosts.
 
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