I went to a different parish this past Sunday and the priest did not raise either the Host or the Chalice. Also there were no bells for the Consecration. The hosts were not distributed in Chalices. Instead they were put in large silver bowls, piled up like potato chips.At the time of consecration during Holy Mass, when the priest raises the host, should this be done with two hands? Our priest always raises it with one hand in a rather casual manner. This makes me want to cry, as I feel that it is not giving respect to our Lord and also gives the congregation a message of irreverence. Is there a specific protocol which the priest should follow or is it up to their individual preference?
I believe that the proper Rubric is that the Host is raised slightly off the Paten and the priest is to bow slightly when speaking the words of Consecration. Same with the Chalice.At the time of consecration during Holy Mass, when the priest raises the host, should this be done with two hands? Our priest always raises it with one hand in a rather casual manner. This makes me want to cry, as I feel that it is not giving respect to our Lord and also gives the congregation a message of irreverence. Is there a specific protocol which the priest should follow or is it up to their individual preference?
First of all, the Hosts will be “piled up like potato chips” no matter what sacred vessel they are in. Second, though, you bring up an interesting point: when did ciboria become less and less popular, and “deep” patens (i.e. “bowls” or “dishes” – I don’t know if they ever received a liturgical name) became more popular.The hosts were not distributed in Chalices. Instead they were put in large silver bowls, piled up like potato chips.
The first time the bread and wine are placed on the altar, “both hands” are specified. But I have not found anything specifying this for later in the Mass.At the time of consecration during Holy Mass, when the priest raises the host, should this be done with two hands? Our priest always raises it with one hand in a rather casual manner. This makes me want to cry, as I feel that it is not giving respect to our Lord and also gives the congregation a message of irreverence. Is there a specific protocol which the priest should follow or is it up to their individual preference?
John, I agree with most of what you said, but, in the Mases celebrated by Pope Benedict, he holds the Host with both hands. In fact, the cover of the book “On the Way to Jesus Christ” shows him (as Cardinal Ratzinger) holding up the smaller host with both hands.The first time the bread and wine are placed on the altar, “both hands” are specified. But I have not found anything specifying this for later in the Mass.
From the 2002 General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) approved for the USA, which can be accessed from romanrite.com/girm.html :
“141. At the altar the priest accepts the paten with the bread. With both hands he holds it slightly raised above the altar and says quietly, Benedictus es, Domine (Blessed are you, Lord). Then he places the paten with the bread on the corporal.
142. After this, as the minister presents the cruets, the priest stands at the side of the altar and pours wine and a little water into the chalice, saying quietly, Per huius aquae (By the mystery of this water). He returns to the middle of the altar, takes the chalice with both hands, raises it a little, and says quietly, Benedictus es, Domine (Blessed are you, Lord). Then he places the chalice on the corporal and covers it with a pall, as appropriate.”
Reverence is emphasised, particularly in 2002 GIRM n. 3. I agree that using both hands would normally be a better sign of outward reverence.
Perhaps this is why both hands are not specified each time: Suppose the host being shown is a small one. If both hands are specified, this will look odd. The host will barely be visible, concealing the host, rather than showing it.
Perhaps this is why both hands are not specified each time: Suppose the host being shown is a small one. If both hands are specified, this will look odd. The host will barely be visible, concealing the host, rather than showing it.
How small a host does the priest usually hold during the consecration? I’ve never seen a priest hold one as small as communicants normally receive (around the size of a half-dollar or so); rather, I’ve only ever seen one about 1.5" to 2" across on ferials, and the large CD-sized one on feasts and solemnities.Now, the way I define small is one that is used for daily Mass (at least in our diocesan parishes) while the large one is the one that is the size of a CD.