Eucharist

[Pro-Life_Teen]

How long does the Real Presence stay after consumption of the Eucharist? I have OCD and it’s really hard for me to eat, drink or even breathe through my mouth after I’ve received because I fear particles of Jesus might be left around. I know there’s protocol for if you get His Blood on your sleeve, for instance, but what if there’s remains of the Blood on your lips and you kiss your mother’s cheek? Or you sneeze after Communion and you fear that there may have been particles in your mouth?

 

[Deacon_Ed]

The answer to your question is that we really don’t know. In general, the teaching of the Church is that the Real Presence remains as long as the species are identifiable as bread or as wine. Yet, after consumption, pious tradition has held that Jesus remains present for up to 15 minutes. In general, if you have done what is reasonable to consume the Blessed Sacrament you need not worry. Modern manufacturing techniques for the host mean that it has less tendency to produce crumbs than in years past.

As for the Precious Blood, what little might remain on the lips is no longer recognizable as wine and so no transfer of the Real Presence is likely to take place.

Deacon Ed

 

[VociMike]

I’d like to offer the thought that you need to have more trust. Jesus can take care of himself better than you can take care of him. Be respectful, of course, but in the end recognize that you are the creature, he is the Creator, and you don’t have to “protect” him.

 

[DixitDominus]

“The Eucharistic presence of Christ begins at the moment of the consecration and endures as long as the Eucharistic species subsist.” (CCC # 1377).

So as long as the Host has the appearances of bread, Christ is present.

In the East there is a tradition of eating blessed (not consecrated) bread, called antidoron, after Mass. Not only is this nice because it gives at least something blessed to those who didn’t receive Communion and because it helps to fill the hunger of those who have been fasting since midnight, but it also helps to remove any Particles of the Blessed Sacrament which may have remained in the mouths of the communicants. If you are worried about Particles remaining in your mouth, you could do something similar by eating some bread (obviously it wouldn’t be blessed, however) after Mass.

 

[anon77300002]

“The Eucharistic presence of Christ begins at the moment of the consecration and endures as long as the Eucharistic species subsist.” (CCC # 1377).

So as long as the Host has the appearances of bread, Christ is present.

In the East there is a tradition of eating blessed (not consecrated) bread, called antidoron, after Mass. Not only is this nice because it gives at least something blessed to those who didn’t receive Communion and because it helps to fill the hunger of those who have been fasting since midnight, but it also helps to remove any Particles of the Blessed Sacrament which may have remained in the mouths of the communicants. If you are worried about Particles remaining in your mouth, you could do something similar by eating some bread (obviously it wouldn’t be blessed, however) after Mass.

What a great tradition!

 

[T700]

“The Eucharistic presence of Christ begins at the moment of the consecration and endures as long as the Eucharistic species subsist.” (CCC # 1377).

So as long as the Host has the appearances of bread, Christ is present.

In the East there is a tradition of eating blessed (not consecrated) bread, called antidoron, after Mass. Not only is this nice because it gives at least something blessed to those who didn’t receive Communion and because it helps to fill the hunger of those who have been fasting since midnight, but it also helps to remove any Particles of the Blessed Sacrament which may have remained in the mouths of the communicants. If you are worried about Particles remaining in your mouth, you could do something similar by eating some bread (obviously it wouldn’t be blessed, however) after Mass.

I like it! Ecclesiastical authority creating the coffee hour after Mass.

Paul