Communion service

[tee_eff_em]

That is a good question. But then the nearby church may have been in the same predicament of having to consume the Hosts.

At the risk of being obtuse, I repeat (or perhaps re-frame):

Why?

:ehh:
tee

 

[zab]

At the risk of being obtuse, I repeat (or perhaps re-frame):

Why?

:ehh:
tee

If you are asking me, I don’t know. When we arrived to attend Mass on Holy Thursday night, the tabernacle was empty. I assume that it is supposed to be done in preparation for the Sacred Triduum. And, Phemie gave a good answer too, so that there would not be any Hosts left in the tabernacle of the school chapel while the students were out for the holidays.

 

[Cor_ad_Cor]

The consumption of all reserved Hosts before the Holy Thursday evening Mass begins is quite common and appropriate, regardless of where it happens. The Tabernacle should be empty for Triduum, and it is irrelevant who consumes the Hosts provided it is done reverently.

 

[ProVobis]

I think tee’s point is valid. Hosts don’t have to be consumed to vacate the Tabernacle.

 

[Cor_ad_Cor]

I believe the rubrics specify that we do a “total reset” on Holy Thursday, though. They DO need to be consumed or properly disposed. All Hosts after Holy Thursday Mass should be “fresh”.

IV. Holy Thursday Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper
48. The tabernacle should be completely empty before the celebration. [53] Hosts for the communion of the faithful should be consecrated during that celebration. A sufficient amount of bread should be consecrated to provide also for communion the following day.

1. It is more appropriate that the Eucharist be borne directly from the altar by the deacons or acolytes, or extraordinary ministers, at the moment of communion for the sick and infirm who must communicate at home, so that, in this way, they may be more closely united to the celebrating Church.

catholicliturgy.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/documenttext/index/2/subindex/38/contentindex/324/start/319

 

[7_Sorrows]

this makes me remember I wondered when they are presented with the new oils for baptism, confirmation, healing - what happens to any oils left over from the previous year?

 

[tee_eff_em]

this makes me remember I wondered when they are presented with the new oils for baptism, confirmation, healing - what happens to any oils left over from the previous year?

We always use ours in kindling the new fire.

tee

 

[paperwight66]

In our parish, the old oils are either tipped into a hole in the garden where they won’t be walked on, or else soaked up with paper towels which are then burnt.

Our Easter Fire is ceramic ‘coals’ set in a brazier, with a gas cylinder mounted underneath. This is placed on the Sanctuary, and when all the lights have been put out, the deacon creeps forward in the dark, turns on the cylinder and lights it. It is very impressive! We’ve tried to light a proper charcoal fire outside, but it took so long because it was a very windy corner that we do this indoors now.

 

[Don_Ruggero]

But why couldn’t they be taken to a nearby church?

Why should she? She had two options to empty the tabernacle. One is not superior to the other. It’s properly her decision.

 

[Don_Ruggero]

At the risk of being obtuse, I repeat (or perhaps re-frame):

Why?

:ehh:
tee

It is prescribed that the Blessed Sacrament is to be renewed regularly so that there is no danger of the species corrupting. In fact, it is not to be reserved in a place where Mass is not being said at least once per month.

Moreover, if the school is empty for the period of a vacation, the chaplain was quite correct to make sure that the tabernacle was empty. There is no one to visit the Blessed Sacrament if the school is sitting locked and empty. There is no prospect that Viaticum will be needed. And, if there is a break-in or a fire, it would expose the Most Blessed Sacrament to profanation. Reserving the Blessed Sacrament there in that instance would be irresponsible.

In everything, the chaplain acted exactly as she should and as the norms would dictate. I am frankly mystified by these questions.

 

[Don_Ruggero]

Communion services are supposed to be used whenever there is no realistic possibility of the faithful attending Mass on that Sunday (not simply that no Mass is available within their parish that Sunday, but that there is no realistic prospect that the faithful could travel elsewhere to attend Mass). That is why this facility was introduced.

This commentary is not correct at all.

First of all, we are talking about a school and its chaplain. Any religious exercise would have to take place in the facility itself and what is happening in surrounding parishes would be irrelevant.

From the US Conference of Catholic Bishops on weekday Communion Services:

usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/the-mass/frequently-asked-questions/weekday-celebrations-in-the-absence-of-a-priest.cfm

Pastoral Response

In recent discussions, the Committee on the Liturgy considered several principles which it recommends to bishops in their development of diocesan norms on the question of how to address related issues. These principles are presented as a starting point for such considerations:

Whenever possible, daily Mass should be celebrated in each parish.

Whenever the Rite for Distributing Holy Communion Outside Mass with a Celebration of the Word is scheduled on a weekday, every effort must be undertaken to avoid any confusion between this celebration and the Mass. Indeed, such celebrations should encourage the faithful to be present at and to participate in the celebration of the Eucharist.

Whenever possible, the Mass schedule of nearby parishes should be available to parishioners. If a nearby parish is celebrating Mass on a given weekday, serious consideration should be given to encouraging people to participate in that Mass rather than the parish scheduling a Liturgy of the Word with Distribution of Holy Communion.

When daily Mass is scheduled in a parish, it is usually not appropriate to schedule a Liturgy of the Word with Distribution of Holy Communion. This rite is designed for "those who are prevented from being present at the community's celebration." When necessary, the scheduling of these celebrations should never detract from "the celebration of the Eucharist [as] the center of the entire Christian life." Such celebrations should never be seen as an equal choice with participation at Mass.

The proper ritual for the Liturgy of the Word with Distribution of Holy Communion is found in Holy Communion and Worship of the Eucharist Outside Mass. The specialized provisions of Sunday Celebrations in the Absence of a Priest are not appropriate to weekday celebrations.

 

[Brendan_64]

This commentary is not correct at all.

Father, we’ve had this discussion before and we are not likely to agree with each other.

“Thus, when a parish offers a Communion service when Mass is impossible, this is done in order to allow Catholics to follow the Church’s recommendation to sanctify Sunday in some other way. But it does not substitute the Sunday obligation, which in fact no longer exists… So, if a Catholic can easily assist at Mass in another parish without any great inconvenience, then in conscience he or she is obliged to do so.”

ewtn.com/library/Liturgy/zlitur23.htm

Communion services were introduced as emergency measure in situations where parishioners cannot attend Mass on Sunday. Not that they cannot attend Sunday Mass in their own parish, but that they cannot reasonably be able to get themselves to another place where Mass is celebrated.

I know we will not agree on this, so rather than get involved in a protracted argument with you on this, it is best left at that.

 

[Don_Ruggero]

Father, we’ve had this discussion before and we are not likely to agree with each other.

“Thus, when a parish offers a Communion service when Mass is impossible, this is done in order to allow Catholics to follow the Church’s recommendation to sanctify Sunday in some other way. But it does not substitute the Sunday obligation, which in fact no longer exists… So, if a Catholic can easily assist at Mass in another parish without any great inconvenience, then in conscience he or she is obliged to do so.”

ewtn.com/library/Liturgy/zlitur23.htm

Communion services were introduced as emergency measure in situations where parishioners cannot attend Mass on Sunday. Not that they cannot attend Sunday Mass in their own parish, but that they cannot reasonably be able to get themselves to another place where Mass is celebrated.

I know we will not agree on this, so rather than get involved in a protracted argument with you on this, it is best left at that.

I have no intention of having a protracted discussion with you. There is nothing to discuss. The norms speak for themselves.

As Father McNamara cites in the link you give:

*A priest from Minnesota asked about the “scheduling of Communion services every week on a weekday when the priest is unavailable for Mass.”

If daily Mass is not feasible (for example, if the priest has already celebrated the usual canonical limit of two daily Masses) there may be good reasons for the priest to preside a weekday Communion service such as fomenting a regular pastoral contact with the faithful. *

The original poster makes it quite clear that what is being discussed is occurring on a weekday.

Beyond that, the facts are first what the bishops have mandated.

The bishops of the United States are quite clear in what they delineate in “Weekday Celebrations in the Absence of a Priest”

usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/the-mass/frequently-asked-questions/weekday-celebrations-in-the-absence-of-a-priest.cfm

The Liturgy Office for England and Wales has issued guidelines for the use of those in that territory.

liturgyoffice.org.uk/Resources/CWC/CWAC.pdf

The latter well articulate the principle: “The frequency, availability and format of these celebrations may be a matter of diocesan policy which should be observed.” Where diocesan policy restricts their use, that must be complied with. But where diocesan policy gives latitude, that must be accepted and submitted to.

Second, Communion services were not at all introduced to deal with an emergency measure in situations where parishioners cannot attend Mass on Sunday. They are part of daily life. Communion services were part of “Holy Communion and the Worship of the Eucharist Outside of Mass," published in 1973…and, in fact, I can still do from memory the rite as it was prior to the 1973 version. This was long before Sunday Celebrations in the Absence of a Priest was even thought of.

The issues are well discussed by the Diocese of Erie in the United States. eriercd.org/pdf/comsrvp.pdf

The use of Communion services, in parishes, in hospitals, in schools, and in homes for the aged is extensive…and it is perfectly appropriate and it is perfectly legitimate.

 

[Don_Ruggero]

this makes me remember I wondered when they are presented with the new oils for baptism, confirmation, healing - what happens to any oils left over from the previous year?

Since it is not a parish, the school very well may not receive the holy oils. A school should have no parish register and therefore would not be administering baptisms. Schools seldom have occasion (thankfully) to do the anointing of the sick. In any event, the chaplain referenced is not ordained. and would not have need of the holy oils.

 

[paperwight66]

The consumption of all reserved Hosts before the Holy Thursday evening Mass begins is quite common and appropriate, regardless of where it happens. The Tabernacle should be empty for Triduum, and it is irrelevant who consumes the Hosts provided it is done reverently.

I’m sorry, but I really can’t believe that in all the world, there are meant to be no consecrated Hosts between Holy Thursday and the Easter Vigil. What if there’s a plane crash or other large-scale disaster ? No consecrated Hosts in the public Tabernacle - sure, because the symbolism of the open doors, the curtains removed etc. is very powerful.
But no private and reverent place somewhere in the presbytery or monastery?

 

[7_Sorrows]

Since it is not a parish, the school very well may not receive the holy oils. A school should have no parish register and therefore would not be administering baptisms. Schools seldom have occasion (thankfully) to do the anointing of the sick. In any event, the chaplain referenced is not ordained. and would not have need of the holy oils.

I meant when I was at the Mass of the Lord’s Supper at my parish I was wondering what my parish and others do with any unused oils from the previous year. Sorry. I wasn’t very clear.

 

[Phemie]

I’m sorry, but I really can’t believe that in all the world, there are meant to be no consecrated Hosts between Holy Thursday and the Easter Vigil. What if there’s a plane crash or other large-scale disaster ? No consecrated Hosts in the public Tabernacle - sure, because the symbolism of the open doors, the curtains removed etc. is very powerful.
But no private and reverent place somewhere in the presbytery or monastery?

Remember, there ARE consecrated Hosts after the Mass of the Lord’s Supper. Some parishes choose to consume their remaining Hosts shortly before the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, others just lock up the Blessed Sacrament in the sacristy.

This year there is no way we could have reverently consumed a ciborium full of Hosts, what remained after someone misjudged how many to put out for Tuesday’s funeral. Both ciboria were placed in the Tabrnacle on the altar of repose.

 

[Don_Ruggero]

I’m sorry, but I really can’t believe that in all the world, there are meant to be no consecrated Hosts between Holy Thursday and the Easter Vigil. What if there’s a plane crash or other large-scale disaster ? No consecrated Hosts in the public Tabernacle - sure, because the symbolism of the open doors, the curtains removed etc. is very powerful.
But no private and reverent place somewhere in the presbytery or monastery?

The instruction in the missal for Holy Thursday is precise:

“5. The altar may be decorated with flowers with a moderation that accords with the character of this day. The tabernacle should be entirely empty; but a sufficient amount of bread should be consecrated in this Mass for the Communion of the clergy and the people on this and the following day.”

Typically, I always made a provision for the consecrated hosts to be safeguarded in a secure place in the sacristy so they are readily at hand for everyone who receives at the Good Friday liturgical service as well as for the visits to the sick and homebound on Good Friday…and, God forbid, for Viaticum on Holy Saturday. But, all other tabernacles have to be emptied and the hosts either consolidated with the parish’s supply or they are consumed in the locale where they are reserved in the tabernacle…be it the presbytery, convent, hospital, retirement home, school, etc.

Which brings us back to the purpose of the original post…the chaplain of the school resolved the issue by the consecrated hosts all being consumed in the context of a communion service over which she presided…which is a legitimate way of resolving the circumstance and of emptying the tabernacle before the school is shut for holiday, which should be normative when the building is unoccupied for any extended period of time and quite apart from the triduum.

 

[Cor_ad_Cor]

I’m sorry, but I really can’t believe that in all the world, there are meant to be no consecrated Hosts between Holy Thursday and the Easter Vigil. What if there’s a plane crash or other large-scale disaster ? No consecrated Hosts in the public Tabernacle - sure, because the symbolism of the open doors, the curtains removed etc. is very powerful.
But no private and reverent place somewhere in the presbytery or monastery?

I’m sorry if I wasn’t clear, as it appears you misunderstood my post. The Tabernacle should be empty, but that doesn’t mean NO consecrated Hosts. The Tabernacle should be emptied before Holy Thursday’s Mass, but then there is a consecration at that Mass. Those Hosts are for that night, Good Friday, the sick and dying, etc. - including the disasters you mention. They just aren’t in the Tabernacle, but the Altar of Repose or other secure place. I didn’t mean to imply there were no Hosts at all.

The OP implied no one would be present at the school for all of Triduum, thus no reason to have anything on reserve.

 

[zab]

Father, we’ve had this discussion before and we are not likely to agree with each other.

“Thus, when a parish offers a Communion service when Mass is impossible, this is done in order to allow Catholics to follow the Church’s recommendation to sanctify Sunday in some other way. But it does not substitute the Sunday obligation, which in fact no longer exists… So, if a Catholic can easily assist at Mass in another parish without any great inconvenience, then in conscience he or she is obliged to do so.”

ewtn.com/library/Liturgy/zlitur23.htm

Communion services were introduced as emergency measure in situations where parishioners cannot attend Mass on Sunday. Not that they cannot attend Sunday Mass in their own parish, but that they cannot reasonably be able to get themselves to another place where Mass is celebrated.

I know we will not agree on this, so rather than get involved in a protracted argument with you on this, it is best left at that.

I took it that the lay person in charge was not “offering a Communion Service” to all of the students. Rather, she was given a task to consume the extra Hosts before the Triduum. So, in order to do this task in a respectable manner, she may have gathered some devout students to participate in a little prayer service (“Communion Service”) to help with the task that she was given to do. I see nothing abusive about what was described by the OP.