germs on the Communion cup

[PhilotheaZ]

The problem arises from the wording ; the ministers say ‘the Body of Christ’ or ‘the Blood of Christ’. It’s inevitable that many communicants perceive them (perhaps unconciously) as two separate entities.
I wonder why the wording isn’t ‘the Body and Blood of Christ’ for both?

I have been wondering this myself. It would make a lot more sense.

 

[otjm]

When giving Holy Communion on the tongue there is no need to touch the tongue. Anyone who is properly trained can place the Host on the tongue without touching.

having served as an altar boy prior to Vatican 2, I find your statement slightly hilarious. One of the great stories we would have for our class mates that morning in school, or after the weekend if we served on Saturday or Sunday, was the result of those occasions in which Father would draw a string of spit from someone’s mouth.

It isn’t an issue of “need to touch the tongue”; it is an issue of how often the priest does touch the tongue. I have received on the tongue often enough, and I served often enough to know that it is a regular occurance.

Frankly, if it were an issue of passing germs, Communion on the tongue is at least as likely to pass germs as receiving from the Cup. Folks, finger to tongue contact just plain happens; pretending it doesn’t, or saying “it is not necessary” (as if that had anything to do with the real world events) doesn’t change the fact.

The short of it is that I have yet to see a documented case of anyone catching anything that can be traced to receiving on the tongue or from the Cup. Christ gave us the Eucharist in the fashion e did; do you not trust Him?

 

[THutch04]

Well, I’ve been receiving from the Communion cup for a good 11 years now, in Anglican and Episcopal churches before I became Catholic, and now of course in Catholic churches, and I know that I personally have never gotten sick from it (I also have a really strong immune system though, so I’m sure that contributes). But I’ve also never heard of anyone getting sick from it, and I do know of people who receive from the cup even when they probably shouldn’t have (in the church I grew up in, it was definitely expected that you would receive both). So I think that the possibility of getting sick is pretty low.

 

[Larry1700]

I’m a convert. When I discovered that it is the real deal, the actual blood of my Lord, how could I possibly choose not to partake of it?

 

[paperwight]

I was quite relieved to see a previous poster say that he’d witnessed a priest inadvertently draw a string of salive from someone’s mouth while giving them the Host on the tongue, and more than once,
Obviously, that’s nothing to do with ‘lack of proper training’ as someone claimed. I was beginning to think there’s was something wrong with my own technique of giving the Host as a EMHC up until then, as I make contact nearly every fortnight with some tongue or other. Believe me, it’s not something anyone does on purpose! It’s unpleasant, and it means having to surreptitiously wipe the fingers on one’s coat before the next communicant, which isn’t nice.
In fact, the whole thing of tongue receiving isn’t too pleasant from a minister’s point of view (and I’ve used the general term ‘minister’ as I’ve had priests say this to me, too). People do such strange things with their tongues! Some stick them out as if in insult, some hump them up, some barely rest the tip on their front teeth and expect you to ‘post’ the Host through the slot - in fact, one Sunday, the person in question actually scraped the Host off his tongue when he drew it in, and It fell off on to the floor, so don’t tell me that receiving on the tongue takes away the risk of that happening!

 

[I_Believe]

If one truly believes in The Real Presence, then it shouldn’t be a concern at all. If it is a fear you simply can’t overcome, then get there early and sit in the front pew.

And in the very remote chance you contract something, your suffering will pale compared to the suffering Jesus Christ our Lord endured for our salvation.

“Do This In Memory Of Me”

We are talking Holy Communion here, not passing a joint in a bar parking lot.

 

[paperwight]

Although I receive from the chalice myself, I don’t see that beleif in the Real Presence would necessarily take away any fear of contracting germs, nor that such a fear implies a lack of faith.
. One could accept the doctrine of the Real Presence with all one’s heart, but still suspect the accidents could carry germs. The accidents of the altar-bread and wine aren’t removed by the change that takes place during consecration, remember.
And I don’t see that being unwilling to be ill is unreasonable. In fact, since most of us have obligations that involve other people, as well as children or family that might catch something off us, it’s our duty to safeguard our health.

 

[DebChris]

If we all received under intinction, this would not be a problem, would it? (Oh no, I’m going traddy)!

I would be more concerned about the fingers touching the tongue and then passing to the next person.The EMCH is taught to wipe and turn the chalice between recipients.
I also believe that what is in the chalice really is the Blood of Christ and has healing power, both physical and spiritual. I never worry that some disease will pass from one communicant to another. While I accept that our Lord is received in His entirety when received only under a single form, it is comforting to receive both the Body and Blood separately and I want as much of Jesus Christ as I can get.

 

[Phemie]

I would be more concerned about the fingers touching the tongue and then passing to the next person.The EMCH is taught to wipe and turn the chalice between recipients.
I also believe that what is in the chalice really is the Blood of Christ and has healing power, both physical and spiritual. I never worry that some disease will pass from one communicant to another. While I accept that our Lord is received in His entirety when received only under a single form, it is comforting to receive both the Body and Blood separately and I want as much of Jesus Christ as I can get.

 

[Phemie]

I would be more concerned about the fingers touching the tongue and then passing to the next person.The EMCH is taught to wipe and turn the chalice between recipients.
I also believe that what is in the chalice really is the Blood of Christ and has healing power, both physical and spiritual. I never worry that some disease will pass from one communicant to another. While I accept that our Lord is received in His entirety when received only under a single form, it is comforting to receive both the Body and Blood separately and I want as much of Jesus Christ as I can get.

Er, as much Jesus Christ as you can get?? This is not toast and tea, you get Jesus, he doesn’t come by ounce or the pound. You don’t get more by receiving under both species.

 

[DebChris]

Er, as much Jesus Christ as you can get?? This is not toast and tea, you get Jesus, he doesn’t come by ounce or the pound. You don’t get more by receiving under both species.

Words always fall short in trying to explain that which we physically experience when speaking of spiritual matters. The words of Communion are “Body of Christ” when receiving the host and “Blood of Christ” when receiving the chalice. Both are received in reverance and with graditude.
As for how much Jesus can I get? How much does Christ want to give himself to me and how much am I willing to accept?

 

[I_Believe]

Although I receive from the chalice myself, I don’t see that beleif in the Real Presence would necessarily take away any fear of contracting germs, nor that such a fear implies a lack of faith.
. One could accept the doctrine of the Real Presence with all one’s heart, but still suspect the accidents could carry germs. The accidents of the altar-bread and wine aren’t removed by the change that takes place during consecration, remember.
And I don’t see that being unwilling to be ill is unreasonable. In fact, since most of us have obligations that involve other people, as well as children or family that might catch something off us, it’s our duty to safeguard our health.

Sure, it’s a valid concern. But what does one do ?
Abstain ? Receive only on Easter Sunday ?

To all those expressing concern, how many times have you become ill due to receiving Holy Communion ?

What about eating out ? I can’t count the times I’ve ordered food at a fast food restaurant and after paying, watched the person who has handled my money walk to the make line and prepare my order without washing his/her hands. Money is filthy.

We live in a dirty world. And life goes on.

The only thing one can do to reduce the risk is to sit in the front and receive ahead of the majority of the congregation. Or abstain.
Simple as that.

 

[Markstorm]

As for how much Jesus can I get? How much does Christ want to give himself to me and how much am I willing to accept?

The whole Christ is present in the consecrated Host. How much you are willing to accept is up to you, but receiving both species doesn’t change anything.

 

[daeve]

having served as an altar boy prior to Vatican 2, I find your statement slightly hilarious. One of the great stories we would have for our class mates that morning in school, or after the weekend if we served on Saturday or Sunday, was the result of those occasions in which Father would draw a string of spit from someone’s mouth.

It isn’t an issue of “need to touch the tongue”; it is an issue of how often the priest does touch the tongue. I have received on the tongue often enough, and I served often enough to know that it is a regular occurance.

Frankly, if it were an issue of passing germs, Communion on the tongue is at least as likely to pass germs as receiving from the Cup. Folks, finger to tongue contact just plain happens; pretending it doesn’t, or saying “it is not necessary” (as if that had anything to do with the real world events) doesn’t change the fact.

The short of it is that I have yet to see a documented case of anyone catching anything that can be traced to receiving on the tongue or from the Cup. Christ gave us the Eucharist in the fashion e did; do you not trust Him?

Christ I trust. It’s the guy with the fever blister in the next pew I’m worried about…and the one over there who’s sneezing.

Christ gave me the option of whole deal in the host, and that’s my choice.

 

[LaLucia]

I have never drank from the communion cup because I was afraid of catching a cold.

But after reading some of the statements I realized that I have…a communicable virus of fever blisters that can be passed on to others from my siliva. I wouldn’t want anybody else to get this virus.

The virus is in my system and I never know when it will flare up. I am so glad that I am not passing my virus germs to others in the church.

I am very careful not to let anybody drink from my glass or cup when I am eating with them. It is so easy to catch that virus.

I used to attend a church where tiny spoon size plastic cups were filled with the wine or grape juice.
It was a small congregation of 30 members.

I am germ phobic so it wouldn’t make a difference if I carried my own tiny paper cup to be served from the communion cup because the other peoples’ germs have contaminated it.

 

[PhilotheaZ]

I used to attend a church where tiny spoon size plastic cups were filled with the wine or grape juice.
It was a small congregation of 30 members.

I am germ phobic so it wouldn’t make a difference if I carried my own tiny paper cup to be served from the communion cup because the other peoples’ germs have contaminated it.

There is a huge difference here.

In the church you used to attend, it was indeed wine or grape juice. Perhaps that is why they felt comfortable using tiny plastic cups.

In the Catholic Church, we do not receive wine or grape juice, but rather the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. The sacred vessels used for Holy Communion must be made of precious, non-porous, non-breakable material that can be easily purified with water so that no fragments of the Precious Blood remain.

We would NEVER use tiny paper cups, because they could not be adequately purified, and we would never want to throw away a paper cup that contained drops of Jesus’ Blood. Besides, a paper cup is not befitting the dignity of Christ’s Blood.

By the way, now that you are Catholic, I assume that you are aware that Catholics cannot receive “communion” at non-Catholic churches.

 

[DebChris]

The whole Christ is present in the consecrated Host. How much you are willing to accept is up to you, but receiving both species doesn’t change anything.

I understand, as posted earlier that the whole Christ is present in the consecrated Host. There are many churches that do not provide for the reception of both species. Nevertheless, when Communion is offered under both forms, I will not refuse either. It is a matter of relationship.
The OP expressed concern about the transmission of disease. The largest Catholic Church on Galveston Island provides communion by tincture for this reason. Attending Mass there, I had two choices. I could accept communion on the tongue, or I could receive the host alone in my hands without tincture. Many people on Galveston are there because they are being treated at the UTMB hospitals.
Although I personally have no worries about contracting anything when receiving Communion, it does seem that receiving in the hands and accepting from the chalice may actually be more hygienic. I need not worry about germs being passed from tongue to tongue by means of the eucharistic minister’s fingers.
Most of the time while on Galveston, I attended Mass at the Cathedral Basilica, the first Cathedral built in Texas. There I could receive the host in the hand and drink from the chalice.

 

[Hallelujahhh]

Is there an alternative to everyone drinking out of the same cup for the wine? It just seems very, very “germy.”

 

[benedictgal]

Is there an alternative to everyone drinking out of the same cup for the wine? It just seems very, very “germy.”

First of all, it is not “wine”, it is the Precious Blood. We should use the proper terminology. Now, the accident of the species, in this case, the form of wine, does, after all, contain alcohol. The issue of “germs” shouldn’t have to be that much of a problem.

Now, the concelebrants all drink from the same chalice. To my knowledge, I’ve not heard or read one complaint from a priest or bishop regarding the issue of germs.

There are some Rites within the Church that use a spoon or a tube. Even the documents make note of that. Furthermore, as Francis Cardinal Arinze notes:

However, I noticed in this country many people insist on receiving under two forms – that means, the form of Body of Christ and Blood of Christ. If the bishop has approved it, that’s all right. But it means it demands a lot of care because it is so easy to spill the Precious Blood.

It is so easy, and, as you mentioned earlier, in these days of disease, some people are worried if there are up to 50 people drinking from the same cup. Some people are hesitant.

Why would people not accept intinction? You [the priest] take the Body of Christ and just dip in the Precious Blood and give it to the person on the tongue. But the ministers must be priests or deacons, if they want that.

This is taken from a Q and A section that appears on www.adoremus.org . The Cardinal was pretty frank in his discussion.

 

[lizaanne]

Is there an alternative to everyone drinking out of the same cup for the wine? It just seems very, very “germy.”

If you don’t wish to receive the Precious Blood of Jesus Christ - don’t. You still receive Him in entirety - Body, Blood, Soul, Divinity - in the Host.

~Liza