Communion After Consumption

[beleg]

Sorry if this is on the wrong forum, or it sounds a little juvenile, but this has been gnawing on my mind for a while.

As Catholics, we believe that during Transubstantiation the bread of the communion host becomes the Real Presence of Christ, and therefore we must treat it with reverence. But what about the digested particles? I mean, at least some of those particles are going to be unceremoniously deposited in the porcelain throne, aren’t they? I know we have no control over that, but it seems like a very poor way to treat the Body of Christ.

So my question is this: Do the particles of the host cease to be the Body of Christ once we digest them, and if not, why don’t we do dispose of any human waste potentially containing particles of the Body in a more reverent and dignified way?

 

[Joe_Kelley]

It is my understanding that, when it ceases to have the appearance of bread or wine, it ceases to be the Body and Blood of Christ .

 

[tee_eff_em]

It is my understanding that, when it ceases to have the appearance of bread or wine, it ceases to be the Body and Blood of Christ .

Correct. The Catechism says:

1377 The Eucharistic presence of Christ begins at the moment of the consecration and endures as long as the Eucharistic species subsist. Christ is present whole and entire in each of the species and whole and entire in each of their parts, in such a way that the breaking of the bread does not divide Christ.

The digestive process causes the Eucharistic species to cease to subsist. (Eg, break a particle of bread into its component molecules and the disjoint molecules cease to be bread).

tee

 

[Joe_Kelley]

Thanks for the reference - Joe K.

 

[glendab]

As far as I know the Eucharist is present in us for 15 minutes after consumption. We need to behave accordingly. Once that time is up, it is safe to go on about our way or consume other things.

Glenda

 

[Hoosier_Daddy]

As far as I know the Eucharist is present in us for 15 minutes after consumption. We need to behave accordingly. Once that time is up, it is safe to go on about our way or consume other things.

Glenda

15 minutes? Is there a source for that?

 

[glendab]

Hello Hoosier Daddy.

15 minutes? Is there a source for that?

The source is me - Glenda. Totally unacceptable to you though, I’m afraid. You need another? Look it up yourself. I recommend Catholicism For Dummies.

Glenda

 

[tee_eff_em]

15 minutes? Is there a source for that?

Here is a legitimate-seeming source that gives *“about 20 minutes” *for liquids to pass out of the stomach. I cannot imagine that a small wafer of bread (whether consecrated or not) would hold on much longer. Also, I imagine, it would lose the appearance of bread – that is: the species would cease to subsist – sometime prior to passing out of the stomach in its liquified state.

tee
Mmmm, now I’m hungry.

 

[Hoosier_Daddy]

Hello Hoosier Daddy.

The source is me - Glenda. Totally unacceptable to you though, I’m afraid. You need another? Look it up yourself. I recommend Catholicism For Dummies.

Glenda

I think the Church does not give an exact to the second time. But I have heard that it is once the Host breaks down. When it ceases to have the appearance. That could be around 15 or 20 minutes.

But I don’t think there are any church documents that say 15 minutes…

If you find any let me know.

 

[Hoosier_Daddy]

Here is a legitimate-seeming source that gives *“about 20 minutes” *for liquids to pass out of the stomach. I cannot imagine that a small wafer of bread (whether consecrated or not) would hold on much longer. Also, I imagine, it would lose the appearance of bread – that is: the species would cease to subsist – sometime prior to passing out of the stomach in its liquified state.

tee
Mmmm, now I’m hungry.

me too.

 

[KD8TZC]

I know as a kid in Catholic grade school, I used to keep the host on my tongue and let it dissolve. I believe it was always less than 5 minutes. Does that mean it no longer has the appearance of the body of Christ? I would presume so, but I think 20 minutes is a good safe practice.