Did my dad do something sacrilegious?

[JD27076]

Today at Mass, my dad attended, who is not a Catholic. (Nor am I a Catholic) As we were going up to receive a blessing by the Deacon, my dad went to a Eucharistic Minister and grabbed the Eucharist.

He was about to eat it, but I stopped him in his tracks. I told him to put it back since he was not a Catholic. He placed it back in the cup and left.

I panicked and didn’t know what to do in a situation like this. As we were walking down the line, I prayed that my dad would not receive the Eucharist, and my prayer did come true, but not the way I intended it to be so.

So, by placing the Eucharist back in the cup, or me telling him to put “it” back, is that sacrilegious?

 

[Nita]

So, by placing the Eucharist back in the cup, or me telling him to put “it” back, is that sacrilegious?

No - not for you or for your father (I am assuming your father’s motivation was reverential and not because he wanted to profane the Eucharist in some way).

CCC#2120 Sacrilege consists in profaning or treating unworthily the sacraments and other liturgical actions, as well as persons, things, or places consecrated to God. Sacrilege is a grave sin especially when committed against the Eucharist, for in this sacrament the true Body of Christ is made substantially present for us.

To be guilty of a grave sin 3 conditions must be met (cf. CCC#1857):

1. it must be grave matter (this condition would have been present, since only Catholics in the state of grace are to receive Communion).
2. your father would have had to have full knowledge that what he was doing was a grave sin
3. and knowing the above, still deliberately willed to do it.

Assuming your father did not know the grave sinfulness of the act, and/or deliberately determine as he comes before the Eucharistic minister that he’s going to receive communion anyway even if it is a grave sin, then he is not guilty of committing the grave sin of sacrilege.

Regarding your action: it was good that you intervened. I’m not sure if there was a better way to do it. (Maybe hand it back to the minister & just quietly say “Not Catholic”.) When unexpected things happen, there’s no time to thoughtfully ponder the options! I think you did fine. Why don’t you ask the priest how you might better have handled the situation.

 

[m134e5]

I think you did fine- very well, actually. You may have come across as abrasive to your dad, but there was no time for a calm explanation (though I hope you were as discreet about it as possible). If he had gone ahead and received, not knowing better, it wouldn’t have been a sin- but it is definitely a good idea to stop a person with you who is not Catholic from receiving the Eucharist. I am very thankful I never received the Eucharist before my first communion day- the day I converted. I would have been very disappointed in myself after I realized what the Eucharist was if I had received Our Lord for the first time without even knowing it- before I was Catholic.

 

[promethius]

Today at Mass, my dad attended, who is not a Catholic. (Nor am I a Catholic) As we were going up to receive a blessing by the Deacon, my dad went to a Eucharistic Minister and grabbed the Eucharist.

He was about to eat it, but I stopped him in his tracks. I told him to put it back since he was not a Catholic. He placed it back in the cup and left.

I panicked and didn’t know what to do in a situation like this. As we were walking down the line, I prayed that my dad would not receive the Eucharist, and my prayer did come true, but not the way I intended it to be so.

So, by placing the Eucharist back in the cup, or me telling him to put “it” back, is that sacrilegious?

:clapping:

Well done!