Consecration without touching the elements?

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A friend of mine told me about a priest in our diocese who says the words of the consecration, but does not touch either the host or chalice when doing so. Does this invalidate the mass?
 
Caleb.A said:
A friend of mine told me about a priest in our diocese who says the words of the consecration, but does not touch either the host or chalice when doing so. Does this invalidate the mass?
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Ask the priest in question directly rather then engaging in hearsay.
 
To answer your question and also reply to the comment by @(name removed by moderator):

In the Byzantine Tradition, the priest gestures with his right hand toward the diskos, says the words of consecration over the diskos, gestures with his right hand towards the chalice and says the words of consecration over the chalice. He then crosses his arms so his left hand holds the disposal and his right hand holds the chalice. Keeping his arms crossed, he raises the diskos and the chalice, slowly makes the sign of the cross holding them and says aloud:

“Thine own of Thine own, we offer to Thee in behalf of all and for all.”

He slowly brings down his crossed arms and puts the diskos and the chalice down on the altar while the choir/people sing.

N.B. The priest NEVER touches the diskos or the chalice during either consecration.
 
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While the rubrics refer to the host and chalice being raised and shown to the people, I don’t see this as being linked to validity in terms of form provided the appropriate words are said at the right time. Previously it was thought that the loss of limbs and, particularly, the loss of an index finger was serious but these days we’re thinking more in terms of intention and we can express that in all kinds of ways.
 
And yet, side chalices and additional ciboria aren’t “raised and shown”.

I think it’s necessary to revise your thesis.

There are two things in play:
  • the rubrics of the Mass call for an elevation of host and chalice
  • the rubrics of the Mass do not call for an elevation of all hosts and all chalices.
At best, then, I think you could claim that the priest celebrant’s actions are somewhat illicit; but not that the consecration is invalid.
 
I did understand what you were asking. That’s why I pointed out that it doesn’t hold up for everything on the altar, which would be necessary if “no elevation” == “invalid consecration”. 😉
 
InThePew said:
Previously it was thought that the loss of limbs and, particularly, the loss of an index finger was serious
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Wasn’t the notion of “canonical digits” tied to the Jewish prohibition against priests with physical deformities, though?
 
Gorgias said:
Wasn’t the notion of “canonical digits” tied to the Jewish prohibition against priests with physical deformities, though?
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Possibly, probably, maybe… there’s a fair amount of theologising involved with things complicated by the Christian priesthood being distinct from Jewish priesthood albeit with some crossover. Certainly, the Tridentine form of the Roman rite places a lot of importance on the thumb and first digit so ultimately, the issue was one of practicality.
 
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It’s my understanding a priest could get a dispensation though, such as the Pope granted to St. Isaac Jogues after his fingers were bitten off by his enemies.
 
Sure in that the Pope can dispense from pretty much anything but I’m not sure that it’d be required since the loss or absence of limbs isn’t an impediment to Holy Orders. It may well have been in the past (the whole canonical digits thing) but it isn’t under the current code. The broader question is whether such a person would be accepted as a candidate for Holy Orders but that’s entirely up to their bishop or equivalent. There’s no right to be ordained and the Pope can’t force a diocese or order to ordain someone.
 
Caleb.A said:
A friend of mine told me about a priest in our diocese who says the words of the consecration, but does not touch either the host or chalice when doing so. Does this invalidate the mass?
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The question asked appears to be about the consecration, not about the elevation after the consecration.

Not sure why everyone is answering about the elevation.

At the consecration, the priest normally picks up a host (and it is usually larger than the remaining hosts which are the smaller ones distributed); and normally touches or slightly lifts the chalice as each is consecrated.
 
Is it possible that the priest in question has a medical condition like rheumatoid arthritis or MS or Parkinson’s (early stages) that makes picking up objects extremely difficult, and rather than taking a chance on dropping the Body or Blood of Christ, the priest has received a dispensation from his bishop?
 
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