Do I have to worry about the possibility of undissolved host being left on my tongue after receiving Holy Communion?

[inprocess]

I am hoping you can help me with a concern I have been struggling with and would like to put behind me. I receive Holy Communion on the tongue and then use my tongue to “break” down the host prior to swallowing. My concern is – what if some of the Host could have been left undisolved on my tongue and then when I lick my lips, an envelope, or my tongue comes in contact with something else, or something would then come in contact with the thing/item that came in contact with my tongue, etc would the Host then be on those items. I try to check my lips and tongue after Mass to make sure I can’t see any undissolved Host to calm my worries over this issue and I try to drink something “just in case” there was any Host left to be dissolved. I think this concern is probably tending toward or is being scrupulous, and I would like to be free of it if possible.

A specific instance I need help with is as follows:
Recently (probably almost two weeks ago) I licked an envelope after Mass (I believe it was a matter of hours after) and had the concern I described above. I had checked my lips and tongue (there was nothing obvious – but it is hard to tell on your tongue with all the little taste buds) after Mass, but had not drank as much as I would have liked to in order to put my mind at ease in this situation. I could not see anything obvious on the envelope that looked like the Host. I did see a foreign object that looked like I squiggle, which I think was most likely a piece of lint, but it would not come off after licking the envelope in that location again. I sealed the envelope and put it away to be mailed later, trying to trust that it was fine. With this worry growing in my mind I pulled the envelope, took the contents out and put them in a new envelope and mailed that. I kept the original envelope to deal with later (maybe I shouldn’t have waited this long? Any sin in this?). I think I can just throw this envelope, but I’m looking for confirmation on this. I just don’t want the Holy Eucharist to be mistreated in any way; but, again, I think this concern is heading towards scrupuloscity. Please tell me if I can just throw the envelope away and stop being concerned about checking my lips, tongue, anything that has come in contact with my tongue, etc. after receiving Holy Communion. Also was there any sin in this situation?

I’m sorry for the length of this question and I hope I have explained it well enough. I am definitely in process and am trying to live as God wants me to – not more than he requires, not less. Thank you for your help.

 

[Fr.Vincent_Serpa]

Hi,

Scrupulosity is basically a psychological matter; not a spiritual one. Any particle small enough to remain in one’s teeth or transmitted to the glue of an envelope would not appear to be bread and therefore would no longer be the Eucharist. Further, when Our Lord instituted the Eucharist, He knew full well what would could happen to the host when it is consumed, let alone when it encounters the acids of the stomach—and He was alright with it. So should you be. Now let go of it.

Fr. Vincent Serpa, O.P.