Eucharist; Communion; Lord's Supper

[2nd_Adam]

Eucharist; Communion; Lord’s Supper is a sacrament in which Christians share.

Let’s try to discuss our similarities and differences in this sacrament and means of grace given to us as Christians.

My first question: Do Catholics just partake in the bread and not the wine as laity? If so, why is that?

 

[Roman_Catholic_1]

I partake in both.

God bless

 

[Marie5890]

Our parish makes both available.

I partake of both.

 

[2nd_Adam]

I partake in both.

God bless

That’s good to know. I read somewhere that the wine is only received by the Priest. Was that information incorrect, or was that an old practice or do some parishes still practice this?

 

[dsears]

It is an old practice that was changed. I guess some parishes still do it the old way. I really don’t know.

 

[2nd_Adam]

It is an old practice that was changed. I guess some parishes still do it the old way. I really don’t know.

Do you know the reason why some parishes do not have laity partake in the wine?

 

[izoid]

Do you know the reason why some parishes do not have laity partake in the wine?

This is completely speculative for please understand it that way. I belong to a very large parish, several thousands people at each mass. The time that it would take to provide the cup to all participants would be quite lengthy. I think that probably has something to do with it.

 

[Roman_Catholic_1]

That’s good to know. I read somewhere that the wine is only received by the Priest. Was that information incorrect, or was that an old practice or do some parishes still practice this?

I believe that was an old practice. I don’t know much about it. It was not on my list of things to reserach when I was discerning conversion. Someone else with have to enlighten both of us in that matter.

What is important to remember is that even when a Catholic decides to just partake in the Eucharist that they are partaking in the Body and Blood of Christ. The Church teaches that the whole of Christ (Blood, Body, Soul and Divinity) are present in both species.

God bless you

 

[ralphinal]

That’s good to know. I read somewhere that the wine is only received by the Priest. Was that information incorrect, or was that an old practice or do some parishes still practice this?

The actual teaching is that the priest MUST receive both species to have a valid mass. Anyone else only has to receive one or the other

 

[Roman_Catholic_1]

Do you know the reason why some parishes do not have laity partake in the wine?

Read my previous post. I am not sure why it matters? When we partake in the Eucharist we feast on all that He is, Blood, Body, Soul and Divinity.

God bless

 

[Filioque]

Since according to Jesus Himself, it is not a mere symbol, but an Anmensis. Since Jesus cannot be devided, but is whole wherever we find Him, one receives the entire Christ if one receives under the species of bread or wine or both.

If as Jesus tells us that he commands an Anmensis of His Sacrifice, and the Institution of that Anmensis is done by Communion, then the completing of the Sacrifice is accomplished by His priest emolating the sacrifice. While it is laudable and encouraged that the people particpate in the reception of communion, it is not required to complete the actions commanded by Jesus.

 

[greggy53]

I believe that was an old practice. I don’t know much about it. It was not on my list of things to reserach when I was discerning conversion. Someone else with have to enlighten both of us in that matter.

What is important to remember is that even when a Catholic decides to just partake in the Eucharist that they are partaking in the Body and Blood of Christ. The Church teaches that the whole of Christ (Blood, Body, Soul and Divinity) are present in both species.

God bless you

This may be represented by the priest sprinkling some of the host into his chalice after consecration. When I was a boy and the Mass was in Latin we received the host only. After Vatican 2 and the Mass changed to English that is when I remember we began taking communion in both species. The Church encourages us to partake of both, but it is not required.

 

[Marie5890]

This is completely speculative for please understand it that way. I belong to a very large parish, several thousands people at each mass. The time that it would take to provide the cup to all participants would be quite lengthy. I think that probably has something to do with it.

I remember reading in another forum here at CAF, that is one reason why a priest may prefer not to offer both species, for practical reasons.

Can you imagine what it would have been like when Pope Benedict XVI held his papal Mass at Yankee stadium a couple of years ago and they offered the Precious Blood?

Simply not practical.

 

[2nd_Adam]

You guys are aware that many Protestant churches put the wine or grape juice in individual plastic cups to be passed in a metal container full of the little cups, right? Why doesn’t the Catholic Church do the same?

If the parishes which serve the wine to the entire parish, is the actual single cup passed to all the members in that particular church?

 

[ralphinal]

You guys are aware that many Protestant churches put the wine or grape juice in individual plastic cups to be passed in a metal container full of the little cups, right? Why doesn’t the Catholic Church do the same?

Other than the fact that this is in no way traditional, the main reason is the risk of spilling the Precious Blood is too great. The more times you pour, the more chances to spill

If the parishes which serve the wine to the entire parish, is the actual single cup passed to all the members in that particular church?

Generally, no. They have stations set up so that more than one cup is used

 

[2nd_Adam]

Other than the fact that this is in no way traditional, the main reason is the risk of spilling the Precious Blood is too great. The more times you pour, the more chances to spill

Generally, no. They have stations set up so that more than one cup is used

Thanks for the info. Since the Eucharist seems to be the highlight of the mass, I hope everyone will share their views on the subject. I think many Protestant churches have too low of a view of communion (mostly non-denominational and baptist churches).

 

[Marie5890]

You guys are aware that many Protestant churches put the wine or grape juice in individual plastic cups to be passed in a metal container full of the little cups, right? Why doesn’t the Catholic Church do the same?

If the parishes which serve the wine to the entire parish, is the actual single cup passed to all the members in that particular church?

Because its consecrated on the alter is my guess? Would it be practical to consecrate it in the cup and then pour it out in portions into little cups then to pass it out?

And how would you protect it from spilling while it was passed down a pew in little cups??

I can see where all of these questions would be of deep concern

 

[2nd_Adam]

Generally, no. They have stations set up so that more than one cup is used

Communion is also passed through the pews and sometimes setup at stations too in Protetstant churches. In the Catholic stations, is there a single cup at each station, or do you have individual cups at each station?

 

[Verbum_Caro]

The actual teaching is that the priest MUST receive both species to have a valid mass. Anyone else only has to receive one or the other

raph,

I’ve seen this asserted many times, but I can’t seem to find a definitive statement that this is the case. I can find teaching that the priest’s communion is a solemn obligation, a Divine command even, and a very grave abuse to omit it. But can you point me to a source that says that without the Mass is invalid? (P.s. I’m not sure what it means for a Mass to be invalid either. I assume it means no sacrifice occurs? Or does it mean something different?)

EDITED to add: I also can find statements that mention that the Priest’s communion completes the sacrifice. . . but this doesn’t say that no sacrifice takes place prior to it (and, in fact, seems to imply the opposite).

Thank you!
VC

 

[2nd_Adam]

How about the practice of fencing the table in light of 1 Cor 11? Some Protestant churches fence the table and some do not. What’s the Catholic practice, and how do your indivudual parish fence the table?