Altar Servers with the paten plate hanging Down

[kindu]

When I was a altar server, we were required to make sure the plate was help “up” to insure that the host going to the communicant’s hand or tongue doesn’t fall down to the floor. What I am seeing for the past 8 years are that the servers are too relaxed … the paten plates are hanging down. I saw an incident where the Deacon was giving communion and the host fell to the floor … he picked it up and placed it in his pants pocket.

What do you think?

 

[Georgia]

Aren’t they required to hold the dropped hosts until all have been served and then to receive it?

 

[marleelynn]

Aren’t they required to hold the dropped hosts until all have been served and then to receive it?

That was my thought – but maybe any dropped hosts can be put on the side in the ciborium, then after communion the priest or deacon consumes it

 

[Augie1530]

Does anyone follow the ruberics anymore ? I watch WETN at times and recently the decon on there did something similar , perhaps a 2 day workshop seminar every 6 months may be needed

 

[patwolford]

The last time that I even saw servers with patens outside of an EF mass was when our very traditional priest retired seven years ago. I don’t understand why they were done away with, especially since it led to such a lax attitude by the servers during communion. They sit in the sanctuary and talk, they don’t even kneel.

Ugh.

 

[OraProNobisIHM]

The last time that I even saw servers with patens outside of an EF mass was when our very traditional priest retired seven years ago. I don’t understand why they were done away with, especially since it led to such a lax attitude by the servers during communion. They sit in the sanctuary and talk, they don’t even kneel.

Ugh.

They weren’t. I think Redemptonis Sacramentum (spelling?) calls for the paten to be retained.

OP: Consult with your pastor, and notify him of your observations. He needs to instill a deeper devotion to the Real Presence in his parish.

 

[OhMalley]

When I was a altar server, we were required to make sure the plate was help “up” to insure that the host going to the communicant’s hand or tongue doesn’t fall down to the floor. What I am seeing for the past 8 years are that the servers are too relaxed … the paten plates are hanging down. I saw an incident where the Deacon was giving communion and the host fell to the floor … he picked it up and placed it in his pants pocket.

What do you think?

While they can send an important symbolic message I think those serving patens are largely useless from a functional standpoint.

That deacon should be ashamed of himself. He should know better.

 

[Kiechlin]

Unfortunately, many altar servers at my Parish are also very lax when it comes to holding them properly. However, I am blessed in that my Parish has several great, “traditional” priests and just the other day one corrected the altar server and very clearly said “hold the paten FLAT”

 

[palmas85]

While they can send an important symbolic message I think those serving patens are largely useless from a functional standpoint.

That deacon should be ashamed of himself. He should know better.

Why would you say that they are large useless from a functional standpoint?

 

[OhMalley]

Why would you say that they are large useless from a functional standpoint?

Usually those communion patens are a “paten on a stick” which are difficult to control, especially for kids. A far better tool for the job is an actual paten held in one’s palm (or the lid to the ciborium) or even better a folded purificator in one’s palm that acts as a “mitt” of sorts should a host be dropped.

 

[jediliz]

They weren’t. I think Redemptonis Sacramentum (spelling?) calls for the paten to be retained…

Yes it does. I have a Pamphlet right here at my desk called “End Liturgical Abuse Now”. It references Redemptionis Sacramentum and has a (93) beside it.

 

[OhMalley]

It would not be a “liturgical abuse” not to use a communion paten.

 

[Chatter163]

Usually those communion patens are a “paten on a stick” which are difficult to control, especially for kids. A far better tool for the job is an actual paten held in one’s palm (or the lid to the ciborium) or even better a folded purificator in one’s palm that acts as a “mitt” of sorts should a host be dropped.

How are they “difficult to control”? And why “for kids”? The servers at my parish handle them effortlessly.

 

[Phemie]

How are they “difficult to control”? And why “for kids”? The servers at my parish handle them effortlessly.

In this day and age everything seems to be ‘too difficult’ for kids. At least as far as adults are concerned. That’s why our pastor now has a bowl of water for the lavabo: “it’s too hard for the kids to pour the water when they are facing me.” ??? It was never too hard before, what has happened to the kids in the past 2 years?

 

[jpjd]

When I was a altar server, we were required to make sure the plate was help “up” to insure that the host going to the communicant’s hand or tongue doesn’t fall down to the floor. What I am seeing for the past 8 years are that the servers are too relaxed … the paten plates are hanging down. I saw an incident where the Deacon was giving communion and the host fell to the floor … he picked it up and placed it in his pants pocket.

What do you think?

He put it in his pants pocket??? Doesn’t your deacon wear vestments?

 

[JimG]

I’ve noticed some careless handling of the paten on occasion, and it is just wrong. The paten is to be held horizontally at all times. At the end of communion the paten is given to the priest or EHMC, still held horizontally, and taken to the altar, where it is purified by having any crumbs brushed into the chalice.

Apparently the training has gotten better, because I haven’t noticed any carelessness for some time now.

 

[jediliz]

It would not be a “liturgical abuse” not to use a communion paten.

From then Pamphlet:

“The communion plate (or paten) for the Communion of the Faithful should be retained so as to avoid the danger of the sacred host or some fragment of it falling.”

Of course if your parish most only gives in the hand, you don’t have as much of a danger, but if there are those who prefer to receive on the tongue, it should be available if possible.

 

[OhMalley]

From then Pamphlet:

“The communion plate (or paten) for the Communion of the Faithful should be retained so as to avoid the danger of the sacred host or some fragment of it falling.”

Of course if your parish most only gives in the hand, you don’t have as much of a danger, but if there are those who prefer to receive on the tongue, it should be available if possible.

Read RS to get an idea of what an actual liturgical ABUSE is compared to an “irregularlity.” Notice the word “should” rather than “must” as well…

 

[OhMalley]

How are they “difficult to control”? And why “for kids”? The servers at my parish handle them effortlessly.

It goes without saying. Think about it for a moment. You have a paten stuck out on the end of a lever arm compared to having your own hand right under the paten or better yet a folded puruficator.

 

[OhMalley]

In this day and age everything seems to be ‘too difficult’ for kids. At least as far as adults are concerned. That’s why our pastor now has a bowl of water for the lavabo: “it’s too hard for the kids to pour the water when they are facing me.” ??? It was never too hard before, what has happened to the kids in the past 2 years?

I didn’t say using a paten on a stick was too difficult for kids – only that regular patens were more effective because they were easier to control.