Eucharistic Minister at Hospital - Complete Disrespect for Eucharist

[Penitus]

Hi, my name is Matthew and I’ve been in the hospital for about a month now, and currently recovering from surgery. Naturally not being able to attend Mass over the past month, I’ve wanted to receive our Lord in the blessed sacrament as often as possible.

Since my hospital visit began, I’ve had some unorthodox Eucharistic Ministers. For example, one asked everyone in the room if they wanted to receive, including those in the room who were not Catholic.

However, this pales in comparison to today. A Eucharistic Minister asked if I’d like to receive communion, I said yes. We prayed, and then he informed me that I was not allowed to receive on the tongue due to hospital rules (no Eucharistic Minister had informed me of this previously). I plainly told him that if I could not receive the Lord on my tongue that I’d rather not receive him in the Eucharist. Then we sort of argued back and forth and he said something sooo APPALLING:

“I can set the Eucharist down and you can receive him later.”

He was just going to set the Eucharist on the table, or bed, or who knows where. I was so taken back that I told him that there was no way I was going to let him do that.

Eventually, he gave in and I received communion on the tongue, though the Eucharistic Minister said he was not comfortable with it.

What a nightmare.

 

[mchium]

Hi Matthew! First and foremost, please be assured of my prayers for your healing, recovery and any other intentions you may have.

Second: the only (legitimate) reason I can think of for the refusal to allow you to receive Our Lord on your tongue, and the further comments that it is ‘against hospital policy’ would be if, for some reason, your medical directives at that time stated that you were not to take anything by mouth…i.e. a pending medical test, surgery or what have you.

If that was not the case, I don’t know what to say!

I’ve never heard of anything like a hospital having a policy of ANY kind regarding reception of the Eucharist (tongue or hand). Verrrry strange!

The subsequent offer of the person who brought you the Eucharist, to leave Jesus on a table or anywhere else for that matter (other than IN you) is so bizarre I can’t even comment. It’s a good thing you had enough reverence for Our Lord for the both of you, because there certainly seems to have been some lacking in this person who brought Jesus to you. Pray for him/her.

May God bless you and be with you, as the Divine Physician!!

 

[BayernAnhaenger]

Call the pastor that has “dominion” over the hospital.

Also, for future reference… the person that gave you the Eucharist was not a Eucharist Minister, unless he’s a priest.

He was, however, an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion.

 

[ThuribleGuy45]

While I have never heard of a policy like this - nor experienced it in numerous hospitalizations - what about a concern with saliva-borne germs, viruses, infections as a valid reason?

 

[twosweetgirls]

Hmm, I’ve not heard that one either–about not receiving on the tongue per hospital policy–though I can certainly understand why, with the possible contact with saliva/germs, etc. However, when I was hospitalized at length after birthing SweetGirlTwo, I had Communion every day and received on the tongue. . . ?

May I gently ask, why would you have denied Jesus in the Eucharist if you couldn’t receive Him on the tongue? Just curious. And definitely get in touch, when you’re well, with your parish or the diocese that supervises these EMHCs; those things need to be addressed!

Oh, and get better fast, too.

 

[Phemie]

Hmm, I’ve not heard that one either–about not receiving on the tongue per hospital policy–though I can certainly understand why, with the possible contact with saliva/germs, etc. However, when I was hospitalized at length after birthing SweetGirlTwo, I had Communion every day and received on the tongue. . . ?

May I gently ask, why would you have denied Jesus in the Eucharist if you couldn’t receive Him on the tongue? Just curious. And definitely get in touch, when you’re well, with your parish or the diocese that supervises these EMHCs; those things need to be addressed!

Oh, and get better fast, too.

OP’s post says that he had received on the tongue before today so I doubt very much that the hospital has such a policy but rather that this EMHC has a policy.

As for such a policy being in place due to germs, that doesn’t make much sense. All EMHCs should be washing their hands after each patient they visit since they will inevitably be touching something at the bedside, including the patient’s hand while giving him/her communion. THAT should be hospital policy.

 

[Penitus]

While I have never heard of a policy like this - nor experienced it in numerous hospitalizations - what about a concern with saliva-borne germs, viruses, infections as a valid reason?

Agreed, but he can simply wash his hands before/after each distribution, in the same way the nurses disinfect their hands.

 

[GregoryPalamas]

I’ve never been in your situation but I don’t think I’d want to receive the Body and Blood of our Lord from a lay person. I don’t do so in Mass so I can’t imagine receiving from a lay person in the hospital. I don’t even know why these Extraordinary Ministers exist.

CDL

 

[RichT]

While I have never heard of a policy like this - nor experienced it in numerous hospitalizations - what about a concern with saliva-borne germs, viruses, infections as a valid reason?

This person should not be serving in a hospital if he has an issue with this. This is what hot soap and water are for. As far as not reeiving on the tongue, he has no say so whether or not a person does this, nor does the hospital. You can either receive or you can’t. If you can, you can receive on the tongue or in the hand.

Regarding the Priest who has “dominion” over this hospital, I would start with the person who heads up the Pastoral Care department for the parish of this Minister of Care first. No sense in bothering Father with something that may get resolved without bothering him. If it doesn’t get resolved, then call Father.

BTW, Minister of Care would be the more appropriate title, not EM of EMHC. The job of a Minsiter of Care emcompasses being an EMHC also. He or she can aslo serve others in the room, but should remind people that they must be Catholic and able to receive. I stopped serving in the hospital because the hospital chaplain wanted us to not ask and to just serve no matter what.

BTW. you are in my prayers for a speedy recovery.

 

[RichT]

I’ve never been in your situation but I don’t think I’d want to receive the Body and Blood of our Lord from a lay person. I don’t do so in Mass so I can’t imagine receiving from a lay person in the hospital. I don’t even know why these Extraordinary Ministers exist.

CDL

Unless you are in need of the Sacrament of the Sick, most Priests simply don’t have the time to make hospital visits. You should not refrain from receiving just because HE is being served by a Minister of Care, or for that matter, that you have a problem with us lowly Lay people being commissioned by the Diocese to help out.

 

[ora_pro_nobis]

I regularly go to hospital to bring Holy Communion to patients as part of my Legion of Mary work. I have never heard of anyone behaving in this way before, and I am appalled. We are there to serve, pray and comfort - not to dictate to a patient how they may receive Our Lord! I would definitely contact whoever is in charge of this EMHC and let them know about this. Whether to receive on the tongue or in the hand is neither here nor there, but to suggest leaving the Host “for later” is completely unacceptable.
I have only met one person who did not want to receive Holy Communion from a lay-person, and we respected her wishes and prayed the Rosary with her. For others who are unable to receive because of their illness or incapacity we say a prayer of spiritual communion.
Oh and hope you feel better soon Matthew!

 

[GregoryPalamas]

Unless you are in need of the Sacrament of the Sick, most Priests simply don’t have the time to make hospital visits. You should not refrain from receiving just because HE is being served by a Minister of Care, or for that matter, that you have a problem with us lowly Lay people being commissioned by the Diocese to help out.

It’s not an issue of lowliness. It is an issue of ordination.

I’m also a third degree Knight.

CDL

 

[Penitus]

Everyone: thank you for your prayers.

 

[aurora77]

I’ve never been in your situation but I don’t think I’d want to receive the Body and Blood of our Lord from a lay person. I don’t do so in Mass so I can’t imagine receiving from a lay person in the hospital. I don’t even know why these Extraordinary Ministers exist.

I hope that you are never in the OP’s situation. I’ve been there twice now and it’s been such a blessing to be able to recieve Holy Communion while I was in the hospital. I can’t remember whether I received on the tongue or in the hand–all I remember is that our Lord was there with me and it was His presence that helped me heal.

Penitus–I’m sorry you’ve had to deal with some less than respectful EMHCs. The person who suggested leaving the Host for later should be reported. God bless you and may you quickly be returned to health!

 

[stbruno]

As a former hospital chaplain, I can assure you that I have never heard of such a policy. In fact, how else would you be able to administer the sacrament to someone who has had a stroke, or is wearing casts etc. However, I certainly would have asked to talk to the hospital chaplain and report this instance. It is highly irregular. But I hope that by now you are recovered completely.

 

[quiet52]

As a former hospital chaplain, I can assure you that I have never heard of such a policy. In fact, how else would you be able to administer the sacrament to someone who has had a stroke, or is wearing casts etc. However, I certainly would have asked to talk to the hospital chaplain and report this instance. It is highly irregular. But I hope that by now you are recovered completely.

Do not report this sacrilege to the hospital chaplain, unless he is a Catholic priest.
If you do not know who the EMHC’s supervisor is, call the bishop’s office and ask.
In my diocese, a priest is designated by the bishop to train and supervise the lay hospital visitors who are assigned to the hospitals.

 

[RichT]

Do not report this sacrilege to the hospital chaplain, unless he is a Catholic priest.
If you do not know who the EMHC’s supervisor is, call the bishop’s office and ask.
In my diocese, a priest is designated by the bishop to train and supervise the lay hospital visitors who are assigned to the hospitals.

With all due respect, I would definitely talk to the hospital Chaplain whether or not he or she was a Catholic. Hospital Chaplians need to know the correct protocol as well. In my experience, I have worked with both Catholic and non-catholic chaplains, and they both had issues that needed to be delt with. In one case, a non-catholic chaplain was more than willing to back out of the way and allow us to do our jobs correctly, and in one case a catholouic chaplain had to be dealt with by our Bishop. Either way, I would talk to the hospital chaplain, and anyone else as necessary.

 

[kage_ar]

I would also advise you to not argue with the lay person who came to bring you the Eucharist. Speak with the hospital Chaplain and the Priest of the EMHC.

In these days of rampant staph infections in hospitals, there may be new guidelines in place of which we are not aware. Don’t shoot the messenger, speak to those in charge.

 

[ProVobis]

As I probably would be in more need of confession in order to receive, why isn’t this an issue also?

 

[RichT]

As I probably would be in more need of confession in order to receive, why isn’t this an issue also?

If you feel the need to have confession while in the hospital, you should contact your parish and ask to see a priest. You might alos want the Sacrament of the Sick while he is there, depending of course on your illness. After that and depending on where you live and how many priest there are, I wouldn’t expect to get regular visits from a priest at the hospital.