Eucharist cold and flu season precautions

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Mintaka said:
There is some evidence that whisky is also pretty good at killing bacteria, but that was another study. Other studies have shown that, actually, all that alcohol they used to put into cough syrups was of medicinal value; but it’s also not as straightforward as just killing things by a high proof. It may stimulate the immune system in the body somehow. The studies I’ve seen didn’t do anything with viruses.
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I’ve always found bourbon, if administered early enough, could cure a sore throat.
 
I was at Mass last week the Priest was sick - he did the mass but did not give communion and stayed up on the altar while others did it.

If your sick you should just refrain from the wine and bow to it instead - that’s what I do when I have a cold and instead of shaking hands I tell the people I am sick and don’t want to pass on my cold and they are always grateful.
 
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exnihilo said:
That is interesting. Maybe folks do not receive when sick. But some people likely receive when being contagious and not knowing it.
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I think the chances of picking up a bug from something having all the accidents of wine shared by people who largely self-screen for symptoms is not very high. Wine is not a very good vehicle for transferring viruses.
 
We usually take the body and BLOOD of Christ. Our pastor said before he started to pass out communion that the blood of Christ will not be passed out because of the flu season. If you receive the body without the blood you are receiving the entire body of Christ.
 
Don t take the cup, and receive in the hand? Bad advice from the pastor…for everyone’s sake STAY HOME if you are sick!
 
Yeah, just don’t go to Mass if you have the flu. Intinction may be a better option during the flu season if you want communion under both species.
 
I noticed others besides myself passing up the cup this morning. I was first, but still just genuflected and moved on. No need to pass my bugs along to the very elderly and infirm.
 
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Yes, good charity!

And I’ve noticed that, while some look offended because I bow my head a little and smile and say the words rather than shaking hands, others, who seem to be waiting on my action, appear relieved.

Maybe it’s just that I look diseased in general, I don’t know.But at least I don’t decline to shake hands with the hairy-armed guy, then turn around and shake with the attractive lady. No. I’m consistent.
 
i wouldn’t worry about it…

i can’t recall one time when i’ve ever gotten sick exchanging the sign of peace or taken Holy Communion in either form…

bad oysters; well that’s another story… 😦
 
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anon10271182 said:
Yes, good charity!

And I’ve noticed that, while some look offended because I bow my head a little and smile and say the words rather than shaking hands, others, who seem to be waiting on my action, appear relieved.

Maybe it’s just that I look diseased in general, I don’t know.But at least I don’t decline to shake hands with the hairy-armed guy, then turn around and shake with the attractive lady. No. I’m consistent.
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I always refrain from shaking hands at the Sign of Peace if I’m not feeling well.

It happened again at Mass on New Year’s Day. I’d been coughing for three days but felt better that day. Still refrained from shaking hands at the Sign of Peace. The lady in front of me first seemed put out when I didn’t extend my hand but I just said quietly, “Peace be with you, I have a cold.” After she’d finished offering the Sign of Peace to others she turned back to me and said, “Thank you.”
 
Goodness, I agree. What about the elderly who are very susceptible to pick up something? The pastor put that note out for a reason, and I am sure he meant to apply to everyone.
 
I don’t like shaking hands in general. I especially don’t like glad handing, which I feel like this can be. I also follow the old etiquette rule of only extending a hand to a lady if she extends hers. As a result people may be put out by me, but it is supposed to be the sign of peace which I think should be a little more solemn.
 
PetraG said:
The epidemiological evidence is that receiving from a common cup does not statistically increase your chance of illness. That is probably because most Christians have enough charity and common sense to avoid receiving from a common cup when they know they are sick or know they are particularly vulnerable to illness.
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That’s not what people mean.

There is an idea (a very wrong one) that somehow germs cannot be on the Communion Cup because the True Presence of Christ won’t allow that to happen.

Such people are not invoking science (as you are, with your link), but instead a misguided notion of the Eucharist that borders on superstition and indeed completely contradicts the theology of the Eucharist that the accidents remain after consecration.
 
newcalling said:
The Eucharist means so much to me, I’ll probably just deal with people being upset with me for taking it if I’m still coughing at all (I also cough from allergies, so good chance I’ll be coughing.) It sure is an uncomfortable situation though
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1ke said:
Have some consideration for the rest of the world! This is one of the more selfish attitudes I’ve come across. The pastor has issued a directive for the good of all, be humble enough to follow it.
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I’m no M.D. but as far as I know, allergies are not contagious.
 
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FrDavid96 said:
I’m no M.D. but as far as I know, allergies are not contagious.
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In his original post he indicated he actually had a cold and approached the cup.
newcalling said:
I’ve mostly just stayed home while sick. However, yesterday I went because I thought I was over my cold, and realized after I got there that I wasn’t.
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newcalling said:
Then, after the mass, I was practically made to feel guilty for showing up, and especially for receiving communion under both species and receiving the host on the tongue, like I always have
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My bishop issued a letter suggesting (not commanding) that priests suspend the sign of peace, suspend distribution of the Precious Blood to the laity, and also encouraging the laity to receive on the hand rather than the tongue for the duration of the flu season. He also reaffirmed that it is okay to miss Mass if you are sick or are taking care of sick children.

My pastor implemented the first two suggestions, but did not mention about receiving on the hand. Still, I’m willing to acquiesce to the manifest will of my bishop and receive on the hand for the time being (even though I much prefer to receive on the tongue). There have been a lot of illnesses floating around, so I don’t want to contribute to their spread.

At times like this, I encourage people to exercise humility, prudence, and understanding. I prefer to receive on the tongue. I also prefer to receive both species. But I know that neither is absolutely necessary. And it’s hardly a grave inconvenience for me to change my practice for a couple of months.

So if your priest and/or bishop is asking you to do this, just do it. 😉
 
FrDavid96 said:
That’s not what people mean.

There is an idea (a very wrong one) that somehow germs cannot be on the Communion Cup because the True Presence of Christ won’t allow that to happen.

Such people are not invoking science (as you are, with your link), but instead a misguided notion of the Eucharist that borders on superstition and indeed completely contradicts the theology of the Eucharist that the accidents remain after consecration.
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You’re right. If that were true, then celiacs could tolerate the accidents of gluten, provided those were in consecrated species. The Church has never taught that.
 
Thanks for saying that. It really bugs me when people frown down on those of us who know germs can be transmitted from the Chalice.
 
Just to be clear, flu and cold are different illnesses, not just different degrees of the same one. If you have the flu, even early stage where the symptoms aren’t very bad, you shouldn’t go out unless absolutely necessary. OTOH, a simple cold isn’t really a reason to stay home (for otherwise healthy people anyway), though of course you shouldn’t shake hands or receive the Precious Blood if you have any illness.
 
Yeah, but when the symptoms first appear, a person might not know if they’re coming down with a cold or the flu.
 
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