I’m so excited to have gotten some great responses from some wonderful people! I would like to ask one more question that is of utmost importance. There have been some things such as 1) crystal calices 2)EMHC purifying 3)consecrating in the glass flagon 4)EMHC taking the consecrated bread out of the Tabernacle during Mass. I consider these possible abuses. They have been addressed to my priest and Bishop. I have been told not to worry. What do I do next?
Crystal Chalices – I think forbidden by 2004 Instruction Redemptionis Sacramentum, n. 117: "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. This norm is to be applied even as regards metals and other materials that easily rust or deteriorate.[footnote 207: Cf. Missale Romanum, Institutio Generalis n. 332; Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, Instruction, Inaestimabile donum, n. 16: AAS 72 (1980) p. 338.]
The footnote from 2002 GIRM n. 332: “332. As to the form of the sacred vessels, the artist may fashion them in a manner that is more in keeping with the customs of each region, provided each vessel is suited to the intended liturgical use and is clearly distinguishable from those intended for everyday use.”
2)EMHC purifying. An instituted acolyte is an EMHC. An instituted acolyte may do the purification. From 2002 GIRM “279. The sacred vessels are purified by the priest, the deacon, or an instituted acolyte after Communion or after Mass, insofar as possible at the credence table.” So some EMHCs can do the purification during Mass. Those who are not instituted acolytes cannot.
- Consecrating in the glass flagon. Forbidden, as for a crystal chalice above. Even more specifically in the 2004 Instruction Redemptionis Sacramentum:
“[106.] However, the pouring of the Blood of Christ after the consecration from one vessel to another is completely to be avoided, lest anything should happen that would be to the detriment of so great a mystery. Never to be used for containing the Blood of the Lord are flagons, bowls, or other vessels that are not fully in accord with the established norms.”
4)EMHC taking the consecrated bread out of the Tabernacle during Mass.
I am not aware of a prohibition of EMHCs doing this. I see it primarily as an issue of security of the Eucharist. According to the Code of Canon Law, canon 938 §5 “The person in charge of a church or oratory is to see to it that the key of the tabernacle in which the blessed Eucharist is reserved, is in maximum safe keeping.” (The Code of Canon Law: New Revised English Translation, HarperCollins Liturgical, 1997, ISBN 0-00-599375-X.)
I can imagine situations where a parish priest would decide it is safer for an EMHC to have the key, rather than a visiting or forgetful priest.
Normally consecrated hosts should not be taken from the Tabernacle during Mass. The intention is that enough hosts be consecrated during the Mass. From the 2002 GIRM n. 118 (c) on things to be prepared: “bread for the Communion of the priest who presides, the deacon, the ministers, and the people;”.
Little detail on using the tabernacle during Mass is given in the 2002 GIRM. Removing consecrated host from it during Mass is not mentioned.
It does have, for Mass Without a Deacon, n. 163. “When the distribution of Communion is finished, the priest himself immediately and completely consumes at the altar any consecrated wine that happens to remain; as for any consecrated hosts that are left, he either consumes them at the altar or carries them to the place designated for the reservation of the Eucharist.”
In the Ceremonial of Bishops, for the Stational Mass of the Diocesan Bishop, it has in n. 165: “Another deacon or one of the concelebrants takes any remaining consecrated particles to the tabernacle …”. (Ceremonial of Bishops, Liturgical Press, 1989, ISBN 0-8146-1818-9, pages 59-60). So in this situation, going to the tabernacle is not considered a duty of the most senior person, the bishop.
