Communion on Good Friday

[irisheyes66]

It’s always been my understanding that their is no communion on Good Friday to represent that Jesus has been killed and taken from our lives.

During last nights Good Friday service, our priest brought out the Eucharist from wherever it was stored over night, covered in his robe, and placed the glass container on the alter. This is the same container where all the left over consecrated hosts from Holy Thursday where put. He then said a few words and proceeded to distribute the Eucharist to all those in attendance.

Now, I’m never one to turn down the Real Presence of my Savior but I just thought it was a bit unusual to have communion on Good Friday.

 

[CatholicZ09]

There is a communion rite, and those consecrated hosts are still Jesus.

We do not consecrate hosts on Good Friday because our Savior has died and been put in the tomb - he is not with us. So, the priest and ministers go to the place of reposition and retrieve the consecrated hosts from Holy Thursday, which are still Jesus. The priest then asks us to pray the Our Father, then goes on with “This is the Lamb of God…” and then the faithful come up to receive the Body of our Lord.

 

[Phemie]

Yes, we always have Communion on Good Friday, from the Hosts consecrated at the Mass of the Lord’s Supper.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

It’s always been my understanding that their is no communion on Good Friday to represent that Jesus has been killed and taken from our lives.

During last nights Good Friday service, our priest brought out the Eucharist from wherever it was stored over night, covered in his robe, and placed the glass container on the alter. This is the same container where all the left over consecrated hosts from Holy Thursday where put. He then said a few words and proceeded to distribute the Eucharist to all those in attendance.

Now, I’m never one to turn down the Real Presence of my Savior but I just thought it was a bit unusual to have communion on Good Friday.

There is no Mass or Divine Liturgy on Good Friday or Holy Saturday (until Sundown). This is known in the Latin Rite as the Good Friday Communion Service, as the “Liturgy of the Pre-sanctified Gifts”

 

[Vincent1984]

It’s always been my understanding that their is no communion on Good Friday

During last nights Good Friday service, our priest brought out the Eucharist from wherever it was stored over night, covered in his robe, and placed the glass container on the alter. This is the same container where all the left over consecrated hosts from Holy Thursday where put. He then said a few words and proceeded to distribute the Eucharist to all those in attendance.

It is an integral part of the Celebration of the Lord’s Passion, as the Good Friday service is known. The communion of all the faithful at this service was restored in the 1950s by Pius XII, if i remember correctly. Before that, it was just the priest who received.

Furthermore, communion can be taken to the sick and dying.

I’d be more worred about the priest using a glass container!

Reprobated, therefore, is any practice of using for the celebration of Mass common vessels, or others lacking in quality, or devoid of all artistic merit or which are mere containers, as also other vessels made from glass, earthenware, clay, or other materials that break easily.

Redemtionis sacramentum s.117

 

[momor]

I’d be more worred about the priest using a glass container!

Redemtionis sacramentum s.117

I don’t know about your parish but at mine we can’t afford to have vessels made of precious metals that are large enough (and used only once per year) to hold all of the hosts that were consecrated on Holy Thursday. Let’s not be so legalistic.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

I don’t know about your parish but at mine we can’t afford to have vessels made of precious metals that are large enough (and used only once per year) to hold all of the hosts that were consecrated on Holy Thursday. Let’s not be so legalistic.

The majority of the Hosts Consecrated on Holy Thursday should have been distibuted at Holy Communion at the Holy Thursday Mass. Generally we have about 80% attendance of a normal Mass for the Celebration of the Lord’s Passion on Good Friday. Which translates to fewer than normal Hosts that need to be reserved, all Hosts should be consumed after the Good Friday service except only a few for emergencies. So generally it is better to err on the side of fewer then needed and simply break them as needed.

 

[Vincent1984]

I don’t know about your parish but at mine we can’t afford to have vessels made of precious metals that are large enough (and used only once per year) to hold all of the hosts that were consecrated on Holy Thursday. Let’s not be so legalistic.

This isn’t me being legalistec - it’s the Universal Church’s best guidance on how to improve our devotion to Our Lord in in the Blessed Sacrament.

This Instruction, prepared by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments by mandate of the Supreme Pontiff John Paul II in collaboration with the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, was approved by the same Pontiff on the Solemnity of St. Joseph, 19 March 2004, and he ordered it to be published and to be observed immediately by all concerned.

Link
I won’t post a link to a shop as I think it may be classed as advertising, but it isn’t hard to find very nice vessels, which only need to hold enough for the Good Friday service, that look very dignified. It’s not essential that they be solid gold - gilded brass looks just the same and should be within the reach of any parish. Indeed, you could just use two or three or your normal ciboria if necessary, not getting a brand new one if money is really tight. Surely it’s best to put the first part of the collection towards a suitable place for the Lord to reside.

 

[karennascargo3]

Although I can understand and respect the Church’s request for adorning vessels for the Eucharist, I cannot believe it to be a major point.

We also are a very poor, tiny, rural church and cannot afford gold or silver vessels. Our vessels are made of pottery. We don’t even have kneelers because we can’t afford them. Nor does our priest have nice vestments to wear, rather very plain ones.

IMHO, keeping the doors open to the church and the necessary expenses of the church building is more important than vessels, vestments, or any other material items. It just seems materialistic to put such things above the meaning and spirituality of what is behind those material things. If you have the meaning and intentions in your heart, it doesn’t matter if the Eucharist is in pottery, glass, or 24 kt. gold.

I also think it is disrespectful and hurtful of others to insist otherwise, regardless of what Church doctrine says. It’s really a matter between the parish and the Diocese. It only serves to point out that our church is ‘inferior’ and yours is better because they can afford to conform. It just seems like such a fine point (not even worth mentioning - publicly at least) when you look at the big picture of what the Church is here for.

Plus there is something to be said for being humble and I doubt Our Lord minds at all being in glass or pottery. I’m sure he’s just happy such a tiny and poor church remains so faithful despite not having the comforts or beautiful items known in other parishes.

Finally, unless you belong to a very poor parish, you have no idea ‘what is out of reach’ for them. Yes, my dear brother/sister in the Lord; a brass vessel is out of reach for some.

 

[momor]

The majority of the Hosts Consecrated on Holy Thursday should have been distibuted at Holy Communion at the Holy Thursday Mass. Generally we have about 80% attendance of a normal Mass for the Celebration of the Lord’s Passion on Good Friday. Which translates to fewer than normal Hosts that need to be reserved, all Hosts should be consumed after the Good Friday service except only a few for emergencies. So generally it is better to err on the side of fewer then needed and simply break them as needed.

This is a response for Vincent1984 as well.

I am not trying to be argumentative but we have 4 weekend Masses at my church, 3 of which are always packed. Hosts are consecrated at each Mass for use at that Mass with a few always left over and put into the tabernacle. The metal vessels (silver or pewter I think) used for distribution are only large enough for the needs of each Mass.

On Holy Thursday, our priest needed to consecrate at one Mass enough for all those in attendance (overflowing) plus enough for all those in attendance at Good Friday (also an overflow crowd). In addition, the hosts had to be in repose in the tabernacle from midnight Thursday until Good Friday evening. The only way that could be done is to have a vessel that was much larger and deeper than usual so it could still fit into the tabernacle (fairly small). There were very few hosts left at the end of Good Friday service.

There is no way that the multiple small metal vessels used on Sundays could have fit in the tabernacle. I don’t know how any large parish with a large attendance on both days could do things much differently unless they had extremely large metal vessels and/or extremely large tabernacles.

 

[Joan_M]

Although I can understand and respect the Church’s request for adorning vessels for the Eucharist, I cannot believe it to be a major point.

We also are a very poor, tiny, rural church and cannot afford gold or silver vessels. Our vessels are made of pottery. We don’t even have kneelers because we can’t afford them. Nor does our priest have nice vestments to wear, rather very plain ones.

IMHO, keeping the doors open to the church and the necessary expenses of the church building is more important than vessels, vestments, or any other material items. It just seems materialistic to put such things above the meaning and spirituality of what is behind those material things. If you have the meaning and intentions in your heart, it doesn’t matter if the Eucharist is in pottery, glass, or 24 kt. gold.

I also think it is disrespectful and hurtful of others to insist otherwise, regardless of what Church doctrine says. It’s really a matter between the parish and the Diocese. It only serves to point out that our church is ‘inferior’ and yours is better because they can afford to conform. It just seems like such a fine point (not even worth mentioning - publicly at least) when you look at the big picture of what the Church is here for.

Plus there is something to be said for being humble and I doubt Our Lord minds at all being in glass or pottery. I’m sure he’s just happy such a tiny and poor church remains so faithful despite not having the comforts or beautiful items known in other parishes.

Finally, unless you belong to a very poor parish, you have no idea ‘what is out of reach’ for them. Yes, my dear brother/sister in the Lord; a brass vessel is out of reach for some.

Quite simply, if we believe that Jesus Christ, the 2nd Person of the Blessed Trinity, is truly present, Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity, we should be prepared to sacrifice so as to be able to provide the absolute best that it is possible for us to provide for Our Lord and Savior.

Only the best for God.

How do you think all the marvelous cathedrals of Europe were built? From the contributions - monetary and otherwise - of the poor. Love will willingly and joyfully sacrifice for the Loved.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

This is a response for Vincent1984 as well.

I am not trying to be argumentative but we have 4 weekend Masses at my church, 3 of which are always packed. Hosts are consecrated at each Mass for use at that Mass with a few always left over and put into the tabernacle. The metal vessels (silver or pewter I think) used for distribution are only large enough for the needs of each Mass.

On Holy Thursday, our priest needed to consecrate at one Mass enough for all those in attendance (overflowing) plus enough for all those in attendance at Good Friday (also an overflow crowd). In addition, the hosts had to be in repose in the tabernacle from midnight Thursday until Good Friday evening. The only way that could be done is to have a vessel that was much larger and deeper than usual so it could still fit into the tabernacle (fairly small). There were very few hosts left at the end of Good Friday service.

There is no way that the multiple small metal vessels used on Sundays could have fit in the tabernacle. I don’t know how any large parish with a large attendance on both days could do things much differently unless they had extremely large metal vessels and/or extremely large tabernacles.

No arguments here.

Not knowing many details you can’t judge what a parish does out of necessity. Many parishes do have a second tabernacle out of public view, I know of one parish where the Blessed Sacrament was locked up in the rectory or parish office. The Blessed Sacrament should not, if at all possible, be placed back in the main tabernacle after midnight.

 

[PatriceA]

Quite simply, if we believe that Jesus Christ, the 2nd Person of the Blessed Trinity, is truly present, Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity, we should be prepared to sacrifice so as to be able to provide the absolute best that it is possible for us to provide for Our Lord and Savior.

Only the best for God.

How do you think all the marvelous cathedrals of Europe were built? From the contributions - monetary and otherwise - of the poor. Love will willingly and joyfully sacrifice for the Loved.

And I think karennascargo3 is saying they are doing the best that they can do. Not every parish has a lot of money or people within the parish that can contribute. It sounds like a wonderful parish just the same, that they are willing to do what they can with their resources.

 

[karennascargo3]

Of course you can build a Cathedral from the contributions of the poor – if you have a lot of poor. But if you only have 50 poor within 60 miles, you don’t have enough for a cup let alone a Cathedral.

Unfortunately, we are a tiny parish in rural mountain community where there is a baptist church on every corner (errr, corner of a field…lol). There are few Catholics here and the very few parishioners there are, all come from miles away. We are an hour round-trip from our home.

The only other parish near us is 45 miles away. Our priest pastors both churches because there are not enough people in either parish for a priest for each parish. Both parishes help each other to survive; and trust me, we only survive. Both building are very old and the repairs alone are monstrous. We also have many poor people in our area and, instead of purchasing things for our parish, we help those poor. It just seems more important, because they are worst off than our church building or needs we have.

Father’s term is up and he will be leaving. Our church now needs to find the extra funds for the new priest to pay for a place for him to live because our rectory is no longer livable due to so many costly repairs that need to be done.

See the thing is, we’re okay though. We don’t need all that fancy stuff. It isn’t that we’re disrespecting our Lord and don’t desire the best for Him; rather, we believe the needs of others and, keeping the church building open, is our highest priority and calling.

I just can’t believe Christ is disappointed in us because He doesn’t have a fancy cup in which to contain His blood. If someone believes differently, I respect your right to do so, but then you can’t possibly know the same Christ I do.

 

[malphono]

Unfortunately, we are a tiny parish in rural mountain community where there is a baptist church on every corner (errr, corner of a field…lol). There are few Catholics here and the very few parishioners there are, all come from miles away. We are an hour round-trip from our home. …

See the thing is, we’re okay though. We don’t need all that fancy stuff. It isn’t that we’re disrespecting our Lord and don’t desire the best for Him; rather, we believe the needs of others and, keeping the church building open, is our highest priority and calling.

I just can’t believe Christ is disappointed in us because He doesn’t have a fancy cup in which to contain His blood. If someone believes differently, I respect your right to do so, but then you can’t possibly know the same Christ I do.

One question: How long have these 2 parishes been there? I mean, are they recent (post-conciliar) or were they there before? The reason I ask is very simple: if they are long-standing, then what was done in pre-conciliar times? What was “worthy” then is “worthy” now.

The Church has traditionally prescribed nothing more than minimum standards: for example, nowhere has she ever said that vessels need be made of solid gold or silver; simply that they be of durable material and plated. Nor that sumptuous fabrics need be used for vestments; only that they be of the proper color.

There’s an old saying that goes “One does what one can with what one has” and that principle would certainly seem to apply here.

 

[servantofall]

Of course you can build a Cathedral from the contributions of the poor – if you have a lot of poor. But if you only have 50 poor within 60 miles, you don’t have enough for a cup let alone a Cathedral.

Unfortunately, we are a tiny parish in rural mountain community where there is a baptist church on every corner (errr, corner of a field…lol). There are few Catholics here and the very few parishioners there are, all come from miles away. We are an hour round-trip from our home.

The only other parish near us is 45 miles away. Our priest pastors both churches because there are not enough people in either parish for a priest for each parish. Both parishes help each other to survive; and trust me, we only survive. Both building are very old and the repairs alone are monstrous. We also have many poor people in our area and, instead of purchasing things for our parish, we help those poor. It just seems more important, because they are worst off than our church building or needs we have.

Father’s term is up and he will be leaving. Our church now needs to find the extra funds for the new priest to pay for a place for him to live because our rectory is no longer livable due to so many costly repairs that need to be done.

See the thing is, we’re okay though. We don’t need all that fancy stuff. It isn’t that we’re disrespecting our Lord and don’t desire the best for Him; rather, we believe the needs of others and, keeping the church building open, is our highest priority and calling.

I just can’t believe Christ is disappointed in us because He doesn’t have a fancy cup in which to contain His blood. If someone believes differently, I respect your right to do so, but then you can’t possibly know the same Christ I do.

It seems to me your this parish is doing what Jesus said to do; to take care of the least among us. What’s more important: buying a new larger vessel or feeding a hungry family. I can’t speak for Jesus, but, i believe that He would chose feeding the family. Didn’t He also say judge not least ye be judged?

 

[Vincent1984]

Our vessels are made of pottery. We don’t even have kneelers because we can’t afford them. Nor does our priest have nice vestments to wear, rather very plain ones.

Someone must have paid for those new pottery vessels in the last 40 years - they couldn’t have been acquired before that! You can get very suitable vestments for much less than some people think, and plain can be beautiful indeed - better than something fancy yet ugly.

In any case, it’s not me you need to be convincing; perhaps you should write to the Congregation for Divine Worship to make your point, and let them know how you are right and they are wrong.

 

[momor]

**Someone must have paid for those new pottery vessels in the last 40 years **- they couldn’t have been acquired before that! You can get very suitable vestments for much less than some people think, and plain can be beautiful indeed - better than something fancy yet ugly.

In any case, it’s not me you need to be convincing; perhaps you should write to the Congregation for Divine Worship to make your point, and let them know how you are right and they are wrong.

Maybe someone in the parish lovingly made them for Jesus with the talent God gave them, giving their gift back to God.
You are beginning to sound pharisiacal, but that’s what usually happens when a person takes a legalistic view and then feels compelled to defend it at all cost.