Deacon self-communicating question

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Tis_Bearself

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I would appreciate if someone can give the correct answer to this question without any tangents about irreverence, etc.

At a very crowded and hectic Mass, I saw a deacon fumble a consecrated Host and unfortunately Jesus was on the floor for a minute. Deacon had no server or anyone assisting him, and no priest or anyone would have been able to get to him through the crowd and very narrow aisle (old historic church). Deacon picked up the dropped host, consumed it, and went on with distributing Communion.

Was this okay? I remember reading on here that EMHCs are not to self-communicate and thus are not to deal with a dropped Host in this way. However, I am not clear from reading the past threads as to what a deacon is allowed to do.

I am not going to pester the deacon or the pastor (both of whom are hardworking and generally reverent men) about it, I just would like to know the answer.
 
If I’m not mistaken, aren’t Deacons Ordinary ministers of communion since they’re ordained?
 
I would say it is permissible, yes.
You may have to look at it not as self -communicating but as consuming the Host that cannot be returned to the Tabernacle after having fallen ( as might be when they consume what is left over in the chalices after Communion).
 
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Yes, it was handled properly.

Deacons are custodians of the Eucharist.

Also, an EMHC could also have consumed the Host. That is not self-communicating, FYI.

Typically the EMHC would bring the Host to the deacon or priest afterward, who would either consume the Host or dissolve it in water and pour it in the sacrarium.

Deacon Christopher
 
I could not say for certain but as a deacon is an ordained cleric and an ordinary minister of the Holy Communion I would have thought this was correct behaviour.
 
Thank you all, especially Diaconia.

Thank you also Diaconia for clearing up the business about EMHCs. Unfortunately I think there is some misinformation in the past threads.
 
Sure.

All elements consumed at the same Mass are one Communion. Anyone (sacred ministers, EMHC, or even other parishioners) may be needed to consume additional consecrated wine or hosts occasionally.

Those are not “second communions,” nor are the recipients self-communicating.

Sometimes the amount of wine consecrated is greater than will be drunk by the parishioners. Anyone can help the Communion ministers to consume it.

Or Mass at a rest home - it is unlikely there is a tabernacle to place the extra hosts in; others can help consume them.

Deacon Christopher
 
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