Distribution of Holy Communion in both species

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RoccoPotenza

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I have a question concerning the role of extra-ordinary ministers in the distribution of Holy Communion in both species?
In my parish, for the last four years our pastor has instituted the following procedure in the distribution of Holy Communion. He has stated that the Sacrifice of the Mass is more a meal than it is a sacrifice, and as such has allowed the Eucharistic Ministers to distribute Holy Communion first to the assembly, and then they minister both species to themselves. The priest doesn’t minister first to the eucharistic ministers as I have seen for the last 55 years in every parish I ever attended. It would appear to me that something is terribly wrong. Can you please explain to me what is going on at my parish?
 
There was a movement that started about 10 years ago to do precisely what you are seeing. The idea seems to be one of “hospitality” – one serves guests first. There are a couple of problems with this. First, the members of the congregation are not “guests” they are family. Secondly, you can’t give what you haven’t got which is why the priest and ministers are to communicate before they give communion. Finally, and most importantly, the Church has said that this procedure is invalid.

Deacon Ed
 
Its also very, very bad The Church is clear that only priests are allowed to self-communicate. As for that more of a meal then a sacrifice stuff, well that’s something that he should be worked out before his bishop.
 
Oh Lord . Fortunately, I ahve never seen it to that extreme. I have seen where the EMs RECEIVE last, but not communicate themselves nor each-other. I think the directives say that they are not to communicate each-other, don’t they?

That whole “hospitality” thing about feeding the guests first . . . I have heard of it. Hogwash as far as I’m concerned.Much too much from Agape services have been assumed into the Mass.

I like to think that insofar as possibe (meaning as much as I consciously remember), I celebreate the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass according to the rubrics and GIRM. One thing that I did not do, however, was found in the former GIRM. It said that the sacred vessels were to be put aside ont he Credenza and purified at a later time. Never got into that. I purify them myself. Period. No exceptions. (The new GIRM says they are to be purified after Communion and put aside for later purifying ONLY if there is an enormous amount of vessels to be purified.)

So, once when I was the celebrant somewhere and our diocesan “Liturgist” was present, he cornered me very angrily after Mass and told me how wrong I was for purifying the vessels at the altar. (Said with, I’ll tell ya, an attitude that this action was tantamount to sacrilege). He said, “Hospitality must be the rule! Who washes the dishes in front of the guests??” I said, “Only when the Guest is ON the dishes.” Believe it or not, he shut up and walked away.

Hey, back in the day, when I was in Seminary (in the 80’s/early 90’s) we had a joke: What’s the difference between a Liturgist and a Terrorist? You can negotiate with a terrorist.

How true.

– Fr. L.
 
Fr. JLT:
Hey, back in the day, when I was in Seminary (in the 80’s/early 90’s) we had a joke: What’s the difference between a Liturgist and a Terrorist? You can negotiate with a terrorist.

How true.

– Fr. L.
Click to expand...
Here at seminary I heard a similar joke: what’s the difference between a liturgist and a vampire? One is a blood sucking, undead, creature of the night and the other turns into a bat.
 
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