Dropping the host

[paperwight]

It depends, I would say, on the quantity involved.

If it is merely a splash, no, you don’t leave your place to fetch water. Simply putting a purificator over the place would suffice until later. (Assuming that your sacristan has had the foresight to put an extra emergency purificator on the altar). Otherwise, you could use the lavabo towel from the credence table. Remember the idea is to balance reverent treatment of the incident with not causing distress and a holdup in the line.

If it is a larger area, like a whole chalice being dropped, then you would be coming off=duty as it were, so would be free to get water from the credence table or the sacristy and if needed. extra linen, and deal with it as discreetly as you can. If you have spare chairs, it can be possible to fence off the place meanwhile. Come back to the place after Mass to do it again.

If your sacristan does not routinely put an extra purificator or two handy, it might be as well to suggest it.

You can only do your best! Our Lord understands we have accidents! Don’t get nervous about the possibility, and remember that the person who did it probably feels terrible so re-assure them as well.

 

[Sophie111]

The issue is a contaminated host.
We know how to deal to a spill.

It is reasonable not to consume a “dirty” host.

 

[Dante221]

I always worried about dropping the host as I touch it between my fingers .
SO a long time ago I started receiving the host in my cupped palms and then touching my
tongue to the host as I bring my hands to my mouth. It may look odd but it’s
much safer than gasping with my fingers.

Dante

 

[dochawk]

I was taught to pick up the host and consume it and then the Eucharistic ministers were to place a purificator on the spot so any crumbs on the floor, which are fully our Lord, would not be walked on and then drug around the floor on the bottom of a person’s shoe. I

While we don’t have EMs in the East, there are still the occasional drops. I think catch about one a month on average.

Perhaps a year ago, when one landed on the floor, I put a purificator over the spot (ours are full of the precious blood as well, served by dropping from a spoon into the mouth).

Not one, but two people “helpfully” picked it up to hand it back to me . . .