That part is easy enough. But what about after communion? When the several ciboria come back to the altar only partially full, they consecrated hosts need to be moved some how so they can be properly reserved. In my parish the priests ‘pour’ them into one main ciborium for reservation. Sometimes they are even “shaken down” to ensure thast the last few can fit in. It is done by the priests and I know they are trying to be reverant, but sometimes its just not a graceful process to watch. In that case, it is best to close your eyes and pray for your parish–the priests and all your fellow parishioners.
The Catholic Mass is a sacred ritual. All movements should show the sacredness of the ritual. Just the fact that the unconsecrated wafer will become the Body and Blood of Christ after the Consecration at Mass is enough to still be reverent even though it is not yet consecrated because they are within the context of the ritual.
There are a couple of important points in these posts. First, there is a reason why the hosts are consecrated in one ciborium, unless you actually need thousands of hosts. The Church prefers that they be in one ciborium as a visual sign of the one body. That’s where that custom comes from and it’s very old. It’s not even in canon law any longer, to the best of my knowledge, because it’s an established custom for a long time.
Deacons distribute in the EF.
There are a couple of important points in these posts. First, there is a reason why the hosts are consecrated in one ciborium, unless you actually need thousands of hosts. The Church prefers that they be in one ciborium as a visual sign of the one body. That’s where that custom comes from and it’s very old. It’s not even in canon law any longer, to the best of my knowledge, because it’s an established custom for a long time.
The other point about the pouring and shaking. First it’s not a sinful act so you need not worry. It’s perfectly practical actually. The idea is not only to get all of the hosts to fit into the one ciborium, but also to shake off as much as you can of the particles that are at the bottom of the ciborium that you’re emptying out. And there is the sanitary reason, to avoid touching the hosts as much as possible. It’s just that in the past, when the mass was ad orientem, we didn’t see what was going on at the atlar, because the priest or deacon were blocking our view. Now we can see it.
It’s not a lack of reverence, it’s just a practical and sanitary reason that the ciborium is shaken. The use of the one ciborium has always been recommended except when you know that you’re going to need more than one, such as at a very large gathering.
But all of it is done with a reason. It’s just not the most graceful moment of the mass. I have to admit. But you don’t want to scoop out the hosts either, because that would be one more article to purify. I’m not even sure if you’re allowed to use a spoon in the Latin Rite. I have never seen it done. I know that they do it in the Eastern Churches, but that’s for communion.
Fraternally,
Br. JR, OSF
I had never even thought about it until I read your post, because I don’t usually look up toward the sanctuary after communion. But when I read your post I had to stop and think about it and I had to chuckle. I thought to myself, “She’s right. It doesn’t look very graceful, does it?” But then I thought to myself, what other way is there and I cam up blank.Thank you brother. I do know my priests are being reverant and following tradition and regulations. I just find it very distracting so I usually keep my eyes shut.
