Consuming multiple hosts?

[JoeFreedom]

I saw something at Mass today that I’ve not seen before. Based on my limited knowledge and a cursory search, it is likely perfectly fine, I’ve just never seen it before.

At the end of communion, while the congregation was still kneeling in the pews, and prior to the consecrated hosts being taken to the tabernacle, our priest took about 4 or 5 hosts and consumed them. If do not recall seeing if there were any additional hosts taken back to the tabernacle because I was praying, and it is also difficult to tell since my vantage point is much lower.

I’ve read here that an EMHC can consume up to four hosts??? if there are just a few left, but I didn’t see anything about the priest. I know there is a limit to laypersons being able to have communion only twice daily with the first being a mass, and only more than twice if under extraordinary circumstances, (death, etc.).

But I’m just curious about this… anyone else see this or know why he did that?

Thanks.

 

[ajfrab]

Most likely the priest knew there was no more room in the ciborium in the tabernacle to place additional hosts, or if there were only a few hosts left, instead of reserving them, he consumed them. It is licit to do so, just as it is ok for the priest or deacon to consume the excess precious blood, if any remains.

 

[runningdude]

I’ve read here that an EMHC can consume up to four hosts??? if there are just a few left, but I didn’t see anything about the priest. I know there is a limit to laypersons being able to have communion only twice daily with the first being a mass, and only more than twice if under extraordinary circumstances, (death, etc.).

This limit is on receiving communion at multiple masses. Consuming “multiple” hosts at a single mass constitutes a single act of communion.

Priests usually do not want to store consecrated Hosts for long periods of time. Ideally, they consecrate only what is needed for a given mass. They especially avoid storing Hosts distributed at Mass because they have been handled by multiple ministers to avoid adding germs or mold in the Tabernacle. They may consume any reasonable number of remaining hosts, and can ask EMHC or other ministers and laity to help.

 

[Cor_ad_Cor]

In addition to what’s already been shared, anyone may consume any number of hosts or quantity of the consecrated wine without it constituting another act of communion. I’ve been given 2-3 hosts in the communion line before because Father was trying to control the number reserved after Mass.

 

[jvickers]

The priest will often will consume hosts that have been broken in half and smaller fragments of the host. I saw our priest and deacon consume many hosts that had somehow gotten wet (apparently, the ceborium was not completely dry).

 

[SMHW]

The point here is that it doesn’t matter if you consume a small crumb of a host, a broken host, a single host, or multiple hosts at a given Mass. It is one (and only one) full reception of communion.