Crumbly Eucharist

[Holland]

I went to Mass at the local University and the Eucharist was whole wheat crumbly something or other. Anyway I receive in my hand and when I put it in my mouth I noticed a few crumbs in my hand. I didn’t know what to do so I licked my finger and dabbed the crumbs up that way. Was it necessary for me to do this? I just couldn’t see dropping the body of Christ on the floor but I didn’t see anyone else having this kind of problem so I am not sure what they did what their crumbs. I travel quite a bit and when I get in Sunday nite the University is the only place that holds a Sunday nite Mass. Since I will probably be attending Mass there again I would appreciate any advice on what to do next time.

 

[Walking_Home]

I went to Mass at the local University and the Eucharist was whole wheat crumbly something or other. Anyway I receive in my hand and when I put it in my mouth I noticed a few crumbs in my hand. I didn’t know what to do so I licked my finger and dabbed the crumbs up that way. Was it necessary for me to do this? I just couldn’t see dropping the body of Christ on the floor but I didn’t see anyone else having this kind of problem so I am not sure what they did what their crumbs. I travel quite a bit and when I get in Sunday nite the University is the only place that holds a Sunday nite Mass. Since I will probably be attending Mass there again I would appreciate any advice on what to do next time.

---

Yes—it was necessary. What you saw in your hand—was still our Lord. If you had crumbs left in your hand—I just cannot imagine --what the others that received had left in their hands.

Thankyou—for taking the time to notice—that our Lord still clung to your hand.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

I went to Mass at the local University and the Eucharist was whole wheat crumbly something or other. Anyway I receive in my hand and when I put it in my mouth I noticed a few crumbs in my hand. I didn’t know what to do so I licked my finger and dabbed the crumbs up that way. Was it necessary for me to do this? I just couldn’t see dropping the body of Christ on the floor but I didn’t see anyone else having this kind of problem so I am not sure what they did what their crumbs. I travel quite a bit and when I get in Sunday nite the University is the only place that holds a Sunday nite Mass. Since I will probably be attending Mass there again I would appreciate any advice on what to do next time.

The Eucharistic elements are to be made so that they will not leave particles. You did good, carefully try and get all the particles.

 

[prv]

Does the church offer Holy Communion under the species of wine?
You may ask your priest if you can do that alone.

Code of Canon Law

Can. 925 Holy communion is to be given under the species of bread alone or, in accordance with the liturgical laws, under both species or, in case of necessity, even under the species of wine alone.

I don’t know if this would entail receiving it habitually under the species of wine alone. Once again, speak to your priest about this matter. Though I do not imagaine that the person distributing from the chalice would notice if you received a blessing from the priest then receive Holy Communion from the chalice, nor do I think it is a sacrilege. But this is all my opinion. Make sure you speak with the clergy before you do so, if you wish to do it this way.

 

[prv]

I was still writing my own reply and I didn’t notice theirs, but their advice is sound.

 

[Trelow]

Why not just receive on the tongue? The alter boys have pattens(? please correct my terminology) for a reason.

 

[Kielbasi]

I don’t know what the problem could be here.

The nuns who bake the communion bread have been following the same recipe for ages, maybe a novice messed up a bit in the kitchen.

They’ll probably have it straightened out the next time you’re there

 

[prv]

Why not just receive on the tongue? The alter boys have pattens(? please correct my terminology) for a reason.

Oh, I forgot about the pattens, though I don’t think very many churches use them now. And there is the rub.

 

[LilyM]

I went to Mass at the local University and the Eucharist was whole wheat crumbly something or other. Anyway I receive in my hand and when I put it in my mouth I noticed a few crumbs in my hand. I didn’t know what to do so I licked my finger and dabbed the crumbs up that way.

I had the same problem the other day, since I received part of the fractioned (broken up) host. I did the same thing

I think I may try receiving on the tongue next time that I get a broken piece of host.

 

[Holland]

Why not just receive on the tongue? The alter boys have pattens(? please correct my terminology) for a reason.

That’s a good idea. I will receive on the tongue next time. No altar servers at this Mass and I can’t remember the last time I saw a paten used at Mass.

 

[CarolAnnSFO]

I went to Mass at the local University and the Eucharist was whole wheat crumbly something or other. Anyway I receive in my hand and when I put it in my mouth I noticed a few crumbs in my hand. I didn’t know what to do so I licked my finger and dabbed the crumbs up that way. Was it necessary for me to do this?

You did the right thing. Even the smallest particle is still the Body of Christ. I don’t generally experience this situation unless I’m receiving part of the fractioned host; in that case, I always check for particles.

If the church at the university continues to use crumbly matter for the Eucharist, then they should definitely bring back the patens!

**Crazy Internet Junkies Society
**Carrier of the Angelic Sparkles Sprinkel Bag
Pace e Bene

 

[Faith1960]

Why not just receive on the tongue? The alter boys have pattens(? please correct my terminology) for a reason.

Our altar servers aren’t involved in the distribution of Communion.

 

[Cavaille-Coll]

I was once forced to attend a parish that used crumbly Hosts like you describe. Patens, of course, would have been too “pre-Vatican” (I HATE that term!). Since I was sometimes called to be an EEM, I remember that whenever I opened the tabernacle, the interior of it was covered with crumbs. Also, rather than using ciboria, the parish stacked “host dishes” on top of one another, without lids, which meant that each dish had crumbs on the underside which would stick to the corporal. What made matters worse was that the people there were in the habit of receiving in the hand, then self-intincting their Host into the Precious Blood, making more particles fall on the floor or into the cup. The pastor was largely able to stop people from self-intincting (and also stop them from audibly repeating the words of institution), but still insisted on using those thick, crumbly hosts.

 

[TradyDaddy]

Doesn’t it bother anyone posting here that in places where this type of bread is being used (assuming that the consecration is valid to begin with), that the Blessed Sacrament is being dropped and trampled around the country and around the world? I used to go to such a place. Jesus, have mercy on me.

 

[chicago]

That’s a good idea. I will receive on the tongue next time. No altar servers at this Mass and I can’t remember the last time I saw a paten used at Mass.

Actually, if they’re using the thicker, more crumbly stuff, I don’t think it is a good idea trying to recieve on the tongue. The way in which the little cube hosts are constructed isn’t particularly conductive to receiving on the tongue without real risk of it falling off.

 

[vince2paul]

Off topic -
Once a priest told me about another priest who distributed host to an old man. After received and put it in his mouth, he slept! and part of the host (which already mixed with saliva) slowly coming out from his mouth.

After mass, the priest tried to wake him up, but failed. So what did he do? He took it and ate it.

 

[TradyDaddy]

I was once forced to attend a parish that used crumbly Hosts like you describe… .

No one is “forced” to attend an irreverent, sacraligious service. We have a free will, a conscience and an intellect. Add in a pinch of character, a dash of backbone and 1/2 cup of “I’m not putting up with this garbage anymore”, stir well and bake to golden brown perfection and you’ll never be “forced” to go somewhere where our Lord is being mocked and dishonored.

 

[rciadan]

Receiving on the tongue is *always *better and always appropriate.

 

[LilyM]

Doesn’t it bother anyone posting here that in places where this type of bread is being used (assuming that the consecration is valid to begin with), that the Blessed Sacrament is being dropped and trampled around the country and around the world? I used to go to such a place. Jesus, have mercy on me.

No of course none of us care, we’re discussing the issue precisely because none of us cares in the slightest

 

[Wendy-Kay]

No one is “forced” to attend an irreverent, sacraligious service. We have a free will, a conscience and an intellect. Add in a pinch of character, a dash of backbone and 1/2 cup of “I’m not putting up with this garbage anymore”, stir well and bake to golden brown perfection and you’ll never be “forced” to go somewhere where our Lord is being mocked and dishonored.

:clapping:

Don’t go to this Mass. Do whatever it takes to attend another one. If it was a question of the usual suspects, too many EMHCs, wishy-washy priests, dancing, that is one thing. But our Lord being profaned in this manner as though He was not there at all, there are just not words for it. However, I would let the parish pastor know why you are not attending. It could give him a chance to do something about it.