Handling of the Holy Eucharist after Communion

[jcr]

At my church, the priest does not handle the Holy Eucharist after it is distributed. He sits down, and all the Eucharistic ministers(several) take what is remaining off the alter to the sacristy. This does not seem reverent, and bothers me a great deal. Is this proper?

 

[theMutant]

My understanding is that only the priest (celebrant) is to purify the chalice and patens. He is also the only one to consume whatever remains in the chalice(s) and to place the remaining Hosts into the Tabernacle. Likewise, only a priest (but not necessarily the celebrant) is supposed to obtain Hosts from the Tabernacle if they are needed. I believe that the current rurbrics allow for others to remove the chalice and patens from the altar after they have been purified.

 

[jcr]

Thanks for the reply! What would be the proper source to cite if I discussed this with my priest?

 

[_veritas]

theMutant:

My understanding is that only the priest (celebrant) is to purify the chalice and patens. He is also the only one to consume whatever remains in the chalice(s) and to place the remaining Hosts into the Tabernacle. Likewise, only a priest (but not necessarily the celebrant) is supposed to obtain Hosts from the Tabernacle if they are needed. I believe that the current rurbrics allow for others to remove the chalice and patens from the altar after they have been purified.

I do not have the GIRM in front of me, and thus I could be wrong, but I believe both the GIRM, and the new liturgical document Redemptionis Sacramentum, make reference to most of this.

1. While it is preferable that the celebrating priest purify the sacred vessels, particularly the primary chalice/paten, others are allowed to do so. When there is a deacon assisting at the Mass, it is the deacon’s job to purify I believe. The sacristan or other individual who has been trained to do the task of purifying is also allowed to do so after Mass I think, particularly regarding the purifying of the other plates and cups used to distribute Communion to the faithful.
2. While the priest or deacon is the ordinary person to consume the remainder of the Precious Blood in the celebrant’s chalice, either the deacon/priest or the lay ministers may consume the rest of the Precious Blood in the other chalices when Communion is given under both Species. All that is absolutely required (I believe) is that the entire quanity of Precious Blood is either consumed or purified in the correct way. What is absolutely NOT allowed is the simple pouring of the Blood down the sequarium (sp?) which is equivalent to throwing away the consecrated Body and Blood and is a grave offense against the Eucharist, if done knowingly–so much so that it incurs an automatic excommunication reserved to the Holy See!
3. I do believe that the priest/deacon is typically the one that is to remove the Hosts from the tabernacle, and to replace them after Communion. However, I think that any properly instructed Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion is also allowed (though likely not encouraged) to do this (they are able to remove Hosts to place in the pyx to bring Communion to the homebound after all). I don’t remember the official word on this one… maybe someone else does?
4. Yes, others can clear the altar and/or credence table, both after the vessels have been purified, and to take them back to the sacristy to be purified by the sacristan.

Like I said, I don’t have exact quotes for you on this, and I could potentially be mis-remembering… so if someone knows differently, please correct me!

Blessings,

+veritas+

 

[system]

theMutant:

Likewise, only a priest (but not necessarily the celebrant) is supposed to obtain Hosts from the Tabernacle if they are needed.

In our parish (which is very orthodox and pays a great deal of attention to liturigcal correctness), we have a man called the “sacristan” who also often serves mass. While the priest is receiving communion, the sacristan will often open the tabernacle and bring the ciboriums to the altar. (He then acts as an EMHC too.)

It was also my understanding that lay people aren’t supposed to approach the tabernacle, but there must be a reason that this gentleman can. I will ask about it at some point.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

The GIRM says that the Priest or Deacon who can be assisted by EMHC if necessary are to return the Blessed Sacrament to the tabernacle and care for the sacred vessels. The priest should not sit down unless ill or aged.

 

[theMutant]

Apparently, I stand corrected. It’s not the first time and is doubtlessly not the last!

 

[Servulus]

The GIRM specifies two sets of guidelines. For Mass without a Deacon, it says:
"163 After the distribution of communion, the priest himself immediately consumes at the altar any consecrated wine which happens to remain; but if there are extra consecrated hosts left, he either consumes them at the altar or carries them to the place designated for the reservation of the Eucharist.
The priest returns to the altar and collects any remaining particles. Then, standing at the side of the altar or at a side table, he cleanses the paten or vessel over the chalice, then cleanses the chalice, saying inaudibly: Lord, may the food we have received, and dries it with a purificator. If this is done at the altar, the vessels are taken to a side table by a minister. It is also permitted, especially if there are several vessels to be cleansed, to leave them suitably covered on a corporal, either at the altar or at a side table and to cleanse them immediately after Mass following the dismissal of the people. "

For Mass with a Deacon, the document says:
“182 After the priest’s communion, the deacon receives under both kinds from the priest himself and then assists the priest in giving communion to the people. But if communion is given under both kinds, the deacon ministers the chalice. When the distribution is completed, the deacon immediately and reverently consumes at the altar all of the Blood of Christ which remains; he may be assisted, if needs dictate, by other deacons and priests.
183 After communion, the deacon returns to the altar with the priest and collects any remaining fragments. He then takes the chalice and other vessels to the side table, where he cleanses them and arranges them in the usual way; the priest returns to the chair. But it is permissable to leave the vessels to be cleansed, suitably covered and at a side table on a corporal, to be cleansed immediately after Mass following the dismissal of the people.”

Hope that helps.

 

[_veritas]

Servulus:

The GIRM specifies two sets of guidelines. For Mass without a Deacon, it says:
"163 After the distribution of communion, the priest himself immediately consumes at the altar any consecrated wine which happens to remain; but if there are extra consecrated hosts left, he either consumes them at the altar or carries them to the place designated for the reservation of the Eucharist.
The priest returns to the altar and collects any remaining particles. Then, standing at the side of the altar or at a side table, he cleanses the paten or vessel over the chalice, then cleanses the chalice, saying inaudibly: Lord, may the food we have received, and dries it with a purificator. If this is done at the altar, the vessels are taken to a side table by a minister. It is also permitted, especially if there are several vessels to be cleansed, to leave them suitably covered on a corporal, either at the altar or at a side table and to cleanse them immediately after Mass following the dismissal of the people. "

Hmm… interesting. So does this mean that it is not correct for EMHCs to consume the remainder of the Precious Blood in the cup they used to distribute? Our parish is usually pretty good about judging the amount of wine needed, but there are occassionally cups with some left after Communion. We are told that we are allowed to drink the remainder ourselves and then present it to the priest/deacon/sacristan to be purified… And I thought I did check this out one time and found Church documentation that supported this (maybe it’s not in the GIRM, or maybe it’s in the American supplement instead?)

Does this sound familiar to anyone, or does anyone have knowledge on whether this is a licit practice or not? I will stop doing it if it is illict, and just give the cup over to be consumed/purified by whomever does have the authorization to do so…

+veritas+

 

[system]

+veritas+:

So does this mean that it is not correct for EMHCs to consume the remainder of the Precious Blood in the cup they used to distribute?

usccb.org/liturgy/current/norms.htm
52. When more of the Precious Blood remains than was necessary for Communion, and if not consumed by the bishop or priest celebrant, “the deacon immediately and reverently consumes at the altar all of the Blood of Christ which remains; he may be assisted, if needs dictate, by other deacons and priests.” When there are extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, they may consume what remains of the Precious Blood from their chalice of distribution with permission of the diocesan bishop.

 

[_veritas]

usccb.org/liturgy/current/norms.htm
52. When more of the Precious Blood remains than was necessary for Communion, and if not consumed by the bishop or priest celebrant, “the deacon immediately and reverently consumes at the altar all of the Blood of Christ which remains; he may be assisted, if needs dictate, by other deacons and priests.” When there are extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, they may consume what remains of the Precious Blood from their chalice of distribution with permission of the diocesan bishop.

Thanks Mel

I knew I saw that somewhere…

+veritas+

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

The GIRM #'s 163, 183, 247 and 279 address this issue I do not have here a copy of Redemptionis Sacramentum. The GIRM states Instituted Acolytes may assist not EMHC as I indicated in my post above. My error.