Distributing Eucharist before Priest consumes

[zz912]

Was at a daily Mass today, and after the Lamb of God… (3x) the priest gave out the Eucharist to the EMHC’s who were up at the sanctuary around the altar. When he raised the Host, the EMHC’s did likewise, and then they ate the Eucharist just after or at the same time as the priest.

I’m going to say something to him tomorrow, but wanted to make sure that this is wrong. I think it is, but don’t want to bring it to his attention if it is okay, and I’m wrong. Thanks in advance.

 

[Irishgal49]

I thought that the priest is supposed to consume first and then the others. I’ll be interested to hear what everyone has to say on this topic but I’m pretty sure they are not even supposed to be at the altar until the priest has taken communion.

 

[DCNBILL]

Was at a daily Mass today, and after the Lamb of God… (3x) the priest gave out the Eucharist to the EMHC’s who were up at the sanctuary around the altar. When he raised the Host, the EMHC’s did likewise, and then they ate the Eucharist just after or at the same time as the priest.

I’m going to say something to him tomorrow, but wanted to make sure that this is wrong. I think it is, but don’t want to bring it to his attention if it is okay, and I’m wrong. Thanks in advance.

This is the way that a con-celebrating priest should consume but not an EMHC. The EMHC should only receive the host after the priest has consumed the Body and the Blood.

I f you do mention it to father be gentle in the way that you bring it up maybe mentioning that this type of practice might bring confusion to the laity.

 

[SonCatcher]

They shouldn’t be elevating the Host. My current priest distributes to the deacon before he consumes but after the elevation (the deacon at least waits until the priest consumes before consuming).

 

[Kathryn_Ann]

I thought that the priest is supposed to consume first and then the others. I’ll be interested to hear what everyone has to say on this topic but I’m pretty sure they are not even supposed to be at the altar until the priest has taken communion.

Yes, Irishgal49, I am interested in this too.

 

[Mrs_Sally]

The priest should finish consuming both the body and the blood before distributing communion to any non-priests (including deacons, who are clergy but not priests).

I do not have a citation handy, sorry.

Even at daily Mass, the extraordinary ministers should wait off the altar (ie, not on the elevated section) until the priest finishes consuming. Then they should approach and receive communion from the priest and wait to be handed the vessel - not take it directly off the altar.

 

[Phemie]

Was at a daily Mass today, and after the Lamb of God… (3x) the priest gave out the Eucharist to the EMHC’s who were up at the sanctuary around the altar. When he raised the Host, the EMHC’s did likewise, and then they ate the Eucharist just after or at the same time as the priest.

I’m going to say something to him tomorrow, but wanted to make sure that this is wrong. I think it is, but don’t want to bring it to his attention if it is okay, and I’m wrong. Thanks in advance.

It is not allowed. Unfortunately, that’s how the EMHCs and altar servers receive in my parish. Fr. insists that they come to the altar at the Sign of Peace.

Then, immediately after the Agnus Dei, and before he says “Behold the Lamb of God…” Fr. distributes the Hosts to all those ministers and then he says “Behold the Lamb of God…” They respond and then everyone consumes together.

We have had no more luck getting him to stop doing that than we had getting him to genuflect at the Consecration or to purify the sacred vessels.

 

[ConstantineTG]

The priest should finish consuming both the body and the blood before distributing communion to any non-priests (including deacons, who are clergy but not priests).

I do not have a citation handy, sorry.

Even at daily Mass, the extraordinary ministers should wait off the altar (ie, not on the elevated section) until the priest finishes consuming. Then they should approach and receive communion from the priest and wait to be handed the vessel - not take it directly off the altar.

Interesting. I would think there is an order with of reception between the priest and deacon. In the Divine Liturgy, reception of the Body is from lowest rank clergy (most junior deacon) to the highest rank bishop (patriarch, if present). Then reception of the Precious Blood is in reverse order, from most senior to most junior.

 

[superamazingman]

Interesting. I would think there is an order with of reception between the priest and deacon. In the Divine Liturgy, reception of the Body is from lowest rank clergy (most junior deacon) to the highest rank bishop (patriarch, if present). Then reception of the Precious Blood is in reverse order, from most senior to most junior.

In the roman rite, the concelebrants recieve the body at the same time as the celebrant, then they recieve the precious blood.

 

[superamazingman]

Was at a daily Mass today, and after the Lamb of God… (3x) the priest gave out the Eucharist to the EMHC’s who were up at the sanctuary around the altar. When he raised the Host, the EMHC’s did likewise, and then they ate the Eucharist just after or at the same time as the priest.

I’m going to say something to him tomorrow, but wanted to make sure that this is wrong. I think it is, but don’t want to bring it to his attention if it is okay, and I’m wrong. Thanks in advance.

Yes, it’s wrong.

 

[Brendan]

Actually, the EMHC’s are not supposed to even approach the altar before the celebrant consumes

GIRM 162 … These ministers should not approach the altar before the priest has received Communion, and they are always to receive from the hands of the priest celebrant the vessel containing either species of the Most Holy Eucharist for distribution to the faithful.

 

[Mrs_Sally]

Actually, the EMHC’s are not supposed to even approach the altar before the celebrant consumes

Thanks. Do you also have the instructioons about Deacons handy? He would be on the altar, but doesn’t receive until after the priest either.

 

[Brendan]

Here 'ya go

GIRM 182. After the Priest’s Communion, the Deacon receives Communion under both kinds from the Priest himself and then assists the Priest in distributing Communion to the people. If Communion is given under both kinds, the Deacon himself administers the chalice to the communicants; and, when the distribution is over, standing at the altar, he immediately and reverently consumes all of the Blood of Christ that remains, assisted, if the case requires, by other Deacons and Priests.

old.usccb.org/romanmissal/resources-guides2.shtml