Can one get sick from the Eucharist?

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ProVobis said:
The question would be, if there are indeed infectious microrganisms present in the Body and Blood, how did they get there? Usually the priest washes his hands before Mass (and during Mass too) so as to minimize spreading any germs himself. And traditionally the priest was the only one allowed to touch the chalice as well. Alcohol is used as a disinfectant so the chances of “germs” in the Blood itself are quite remote; however there are no such guarantees in the Body. Answer to OP: Yes.
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Some “germs” are sensitive to dilute solutions of alcohol and some are not. I would never recommend that the ill or those with diminished immune systems partake of the cup.
 
holdencaulfield said:
But why wouldn’t the Blood of Christ destroy the disease?
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Surely you have got to be kidding…right? It isn’t actually the real blood of Christ. It is sacramentally the real presence, but not the real blood.

You don’t believe it’s actually blood do you? It’s wine.
 
Namesake said:
Surely you have got to be kidding…right? It isn’t actually the real blood of Christ. It is sacramentally the real presence, but not the real blood.

You don’t believe it’s actually blood do you? It’s wine.
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Aren’t you a United Methodist? I thought you believed that it became the Body and Blood of Christ? This is what O.S Luke keeps saying is the Methodist stance.

Alaha minokhoun
Andrew
 
rwoehmke said:
Some “germs” are sensitive to dilute solutions of alcohol and some are not. I would never recommend that the ill or those with diminished immune systems partake of the cup.
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You are correct. Some very fragile organisms might be killed by the relatively small amount of ETOH in wine. Sharing a chalice with lots of other people, especially this time of year, is not a good idea. Even shaking hands is a little risky because of all the viruses going around. Either receive only the bread, host, body, whatever you want to call it or try to go for intinction.
 
holdencaulfield said:
So the way I see it from this discussion is this.

Although the Bread and Wine is the Body and Blood of Christ. It is still nonetheless human. Therefore although it is God’s Body and Blood, because it is the human flesh of the Son it still is not impervious to bacteria and germs just like any other human flesh and blood.
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That is a wrong statement! The Body of Christ that you receive during Communion is His Glorified Body and it is impervious to any bacteria or any other effects. The bacteria can be next to Him but they will not affect Him at all.
 
Seminarian_X said:
This is why one should make it a practice to never drink after anyone.

Myself, I wouldn’t drink after the Pope himself.
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You are correct! This is the same argument that the martyrs used when they died just to be able to receive the Eucharist.
 
Cristiano said:
Am I? 😉
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Oh yes, for certain. You have a very simple choice in this matter. You are not being held hostage, you are not being asked to denounce your faith, you are not being threatened at all.

The matter is a simple public health issue, albeit a minor one I think.

You are making a mountain out of a mole hill by comparing refusal to drink out of a common cup for which there are valid alternatives, with martyrdom. It is truly ridiculous!
 
Cristiano said:
That is a wrong statement! The Body of Christ that you receive during Communion is His Glorified Body and it is impervious to any bacteria or any other effects. The bacteria can be next to Him but they will not affect Him at all.
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Oh yes, you are right I forgot about that, so yes the bacteria can exist on the Body and Blood, however it can not infect it, however it could effect us humans.
 
Namesake said:
Surely you have got to be kidding…right? It isn’t actually the real blood of Christ. It is sacramentally the real presence, but not the real blood.

You don’t believe it’s actually blood do you? It’s wine.
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No, we as Catholics believe that it is Blood we are drinking. It still has all the characteristics of wine however it is no longer wine it is the Blood of Christ. So yes, we do believe we are drinking Blood.
 
Namesake said:
Oh yes, for certain. You have a very simple choice in this matter. You are not being held hostage, you are not being asked to denounce your faith, you are not being threatened at all.

The matter is a simple public health issue, albeit a minor one I think.

You are making a mountain out of a mole hill by comparing refusal to drink out of a common cup for which there are valid alternatives, with martyrdom. It is truly ridiculous!
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I don’t see it as such. He was merely comparing what a dissenter Catholic was saying and showing how hypocritical it was compared to all the people who have died for this.
 
holdencaulfield said:
No, we as Catholics believe that it is Blood we are drinking. It still has all the characteristics of wine however it is no longer wine it is the Blood of Christ. So yes, we do believe we are drinking Blood.
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Essentially correct. The bread and wine are changed (“made present”) in the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist, in which characteristics of bread and wine remain, but they are sacramentally made present into His Glorified Body, Blood Soul & Divinity.
 
holdencaulfield said:
I don’t see it as such. He was merely comparing what a dissenter Catholic was saying and showing how hypocritical it was compared to all the people who have died for this.
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Oh my goodness sakes. Do you mean that we should disregard public health science because people have died for Christian beliefs? I cannot believe you mean that! Should we also ignore the fact that we have all sorts of medical information that gives us longer healthier lives? You have got to be kidding?!?!
 
Namesake said:
Oh my goodness sakes. Do you mean that we should disregard public health science because people have died for Christian beliefs? I cannot believe you mean that! Should we also ignore the fact that we have all sorts of medical information that gives us longer healthier lives? You have got to be kidding?!?!
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Have you read St. Paul’s Epistle to the Philippians 4:13? We Catholics believe, as we always have that the Eucharist IS Christ. Many have died for this belief.

Could you please reply to my earlier post at your earliest convenience?

Alaha Minokhoun
Andrew
 
Harpazo said:
Have you read St. Paul’s Epistle to the Philippians 4:13? We Catholics believe, as we always have that the Eucharist IS Christ. Many have died for this belief.

Could you please reply to my earlier post at your earliest convenience?

Alaha Minokhoun
Andrew
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I guess I don’t understand what your point is with Philippians 4:13.

Protestants as well as a whole bunch of Catholics don’t believe that the Eucharist IS Christ. Many of us believe in the real presence, but not the same way some Catholics do.

As to your earlier post I have no idea because I am not assiduous in reading posts here. Clue me a little maybe?
 
Namesake said:
I guess I don’t understand what your point is with Philippians 4:13.

Protestants as well as a whole bunch of Catholics don’t believe that the Eucharist IS Christ. Many of us believe in the real presence, but not the same way some Catholics do.

As to your earlier post I have no idea because I am not assiduous in reading posts here. Clue me a little maybe?
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The Philippians 4:13 referrence is because with Christ, ie the Eucharist, all the things are possible. Would he allow us to get sick from it? I don’t believe so. It seems almost superstition to avoid the chalice in Latin parishes out of fear of getting sick.🤷 That’s my take on it, although I attend a Maronite parish and Abouna dips the body in the precious blood and sets it on our tongues.

It does not matter that a “whole bunch of Catholics” thinking that the Eucharist is not Christ, not in the sense you’re trying to convey. The Church itself teaches that it IS Christ. Case closed. Those that don’t believe that, who claim to be Catholic are sadly mistaken.

Here is what I was referrencing:
Originally Posted by Namesake
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Surely you have got to be kidding…right? It isn’t actually the real blood of Christ. It is sacramentally the real presence, but not the real blood.

You don’t believe it’s actually blood do you? It’s wine.
Aren’t you a United Methodist? I thought you believed that it became the Body and Blood of Christ? This is what O.S Luke keeps saying is the Methodist stance.

Alaha minokhoun
Andrew
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Alaha minokhoun
Andrew
 
I’m a bit surprised by some of the replies to the question in the OP. From Jimmy Akin:
Attention, Cold & Flu People At Mass!
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(Jimmy Akin)
There’s something that the Church desperately needs you to do for it . . .
STAY HOME!!!
Having a contagious disease is a valid excuse for missing Mass.
Indeed, there seems to be something of a moral obligation not to infect other people so that they will suffer as you have been.
If you insist on showing up then be considerate of others by sitting at the front instead of the back so you won’t be coughing germs all over the people in front of you. (Preferably sit off to one side so you won’t be coughing directly at the priest.)
Also, when you do cough, remember your mother’s instructions and cover your mouth.
And kindly content yourselves with receiving the fullness of our Lord’s Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity under the appearances of bread.
All this applies to sick kids, too. If your kids are sick, leave 'em at home. If you don’t have anyone to leave 'em with, stay with 'em. The care of children is also a valid reason to miss Mass.
Thanks much!
(Sorry. Needed to get that out of my system.)
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Harpazo said:
The Philippians 4:13 referrence is because with Christ, ie the Eucharist, all the things are possible. Would he allow us to get sick from it? I don’t believe so. It seems almost superstition to avoid the chalice in Latin parishes out of fear of getting sick.🤷
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Forgive me for being a bit obtuse, but I strongly believe that it is very superstitious to think that Christ will protect you from nasty bugs shared by drinking from the same cup especially during flu season. It’s a bit off the beam I think. You do understand that there is nothing scientific to support your idea?
 
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