EMHC Purifying Vessels, how to approach priest?

[mattwcu]

+UPDATE+

I spoke with the priest this morning after Mass. After he was finished unvesting in the sacristry I knocked on the door and introduced myself. He mentioned he had seen me for the past week coming to mass everyday and seemed genuinely happy to meet me. We made a small pleasant conversation and then at the end I said “There is something though, that concerns me happening at Mass.”

I said, “I noticed the extraordinary ministers are purifying the vessels when they finish distributing the precious blood.”

He thought I wanted to be an EMHC but I assured him that wasn’t what I was asking. I could tell from his response that they have no idea this is wrong. It was very genuine. I then explained how Cardinal Arinze said it wasn’t allowed etc. He said I would need to speak to the pastor about it. The pastor is rarely there and I wouldn’t want to do that over the phone. So I will wait knowing that I did my duty for now.

At the end of our conversation I let him know how much I appreciate coming to daily Mass so close to my house and that I didn’t want to be a troublemaker. He assured me I wasn’t.

I hope this story can give encouragement to anyone who sees things like this going on at their parish. During Mass I asked God for the courage to talk to the priest afterwards and offered the whole situation up.

 

[cydonian]

At our parish our priest does not purify. I do not feel comfortable doing it since I am not suppose to be. Sometimes there is NO one else to do it, so I feel in that instance it is better to do it than not.
Is purifying when we shouldn’t a sin then? or just an offense, or what???

 

[cydonian]

I do take great care to consume all particles and wine.
I try to be as reverant as I can be when I do have to purify…

 

[Cristiano]

At our parish our priest does not purify. I do not feel comfortable doing it since I am not suppose to be. Sometimes there is NO one else to do it, so I feel in that instance it is better to do it than not.
Is purifying when we shouldn’t a sin then? or just an offense, or what???

I think that until you keep doing it the status quo will not change and the abuse will continue.

An offense to God is a sin. The gravity and the intent will define if it is venial or not.

You are in a tough spot and I hope that you have a well formed conscience. If I were you, I would really struggle with the decision on what to do. Just pray about it.

 

[cydonian]

Yes, you are right. I need to pray more on it. Thank you.
I feel that I should not do it, however I also feel it is more wrong to ‘leave the dishes undone’ as Christ’s body and blood are still present.

 

[cydonian]

Yes, you are right. I need to pray more on it. Thank you.

I feel that I should not purify. However, I also feel it is more wrong to ‘leave the dishes undone’ as Christ’s body and blood are still present and no one else will take care of them.

 

[Lux_et_Tenebrae]

At our parish our priest does not purify. I do not feel comfortable doing it since I am not suppose to be. Sometimes there is NO one else to do it, so I feel in that instance it is better to do it than not.
Is purifying when we shouldn’t a sin then? or just an offense, or what???

This is not a major abuse, and if you are told to do it, it is not a sin. It is far better for you to purify than to leave vessels not purified.

EMHC are permmitted to consume what remains in the chalice. You could do this, and add some water, be sure to rinse the whole chalice and consume that without wiping—this would be certain no Precious Blood is left unattended, but not technically purifying.

Lux

 

[Cristiano]

This is not a major abuse, and if you are told to do it, it is not a sin. …

I disagree on this. If a priest tells you to sin and you do it, than it is still a sin. Lay people are not allowed to purify the vessels, no indults exist at the time, and if you do it you are being disobedient to the Church.

…EMHC are permmitted to consume what remains in the chalice…

Correct!

… You could do this, and add some water, be sure to rinse the whole chalice and consume that without wiping—this would be certain no Precious Blood is left unattended, but not technically purifying.

Lux

Ablution (rinsing with water) is the main part of the purification process. It ensures that the substance of Jesus is not present anymore in the chalice.

EMHCs are allowed to wash the chalices after ablution just because the purification has been completed.

 

[japhy]

You could [consume what remains in the chalice], and add some water, be sure to rinse the whole chalice and consume that without wiping—this would be certain no Precious Blood is left unattended, but not technically purifying.

That’s… pretty much purifying. Incomplete, but it covers the ablutions, which is really the most important part. The only thing left after the remains have been consumed and water has been poured in and consumed is to have the Chalice wiped with a purificator! Really, once you’ve gone that far, why stop?

 

[Lux_et_Tenebrae]

I disagree on this. If a priest tells you to sin and you do it, than it is still a sin. Lay people are not allowed to purify the vessels, no indults exist at the time, and if you do it you are being disobedient to the Church.
.

This is not a matter of faith or morals. It is not a sin to obey lawful authority. The sin, if any, would be on the person issuing the instruction

Lux

 

[Cristiano]

This is not a matter of faith or morals. It is not a sin to obey lawful authority. The sin, if any, would be on the person issuing the instruction

Lux

It is a liturgical abuse (illicit behavior) and thus it is sinful. Just because a priest tells you to do something illicit that does not take any responsibility away from you.

 

[benedictgal]

At our parish the altar servers ASSIST in the purification, pouring water into the vessels as directed by the priest, deacon, or acolyte. But the priest, deacon, or acolyte does the rest.

Is that correct?

That is fine. When my PV celebrates Mass, he puts is thumbs and index finger over the chalice so that when the altar server pours the water, he is purifying these particular digits.

Now, the indult was rescinded back in 2005. It was one of the first things that Pope Benedict did. As soon as that indult (allowing EMHCs to purify the vessels) was rescinded, our diocese put a stop to the practice. It should not have to take three years to comply with what the Holy Father has ruled. What part of “no” do these people not understand?