Have you ever intentionally avoided receiving communion from an EMHC so as to receive from a priest or deacon?

[Jakub]

Would I decline communion from a EMHC if I was sick at home…yes

I would prefer to be annointed and receive communion from a deacon in lieu of a priest.

What’s next, having your confession heard by a EMHConfession ?

james

 

[Leopard]

While I agree the reception from a deacon is perfectly appropriate today, it is not true that the deacon was the ordinary minister of the Sacred Host…

The word “ordinary” in “ordinary minister” (or “extra-ordinary minister”) refers to the ordained (or non-ordained) state of those clergy who have received the sacrament of Holy Orders (or of those laity or religious who have not received this sacrament, respectively.) So the deacon is indeed today and has been as long as this clerical state has existed, an ordinary minister of the Blessed Sacrament under either species. Where or when he has customarily been used to exercise this ministry is another matter.

 

[Orionthehunter]

On a side note, I went to Mass today at the Cathedral in hope that I might hear Mass by the Bishop which I did. I so wanted to recieve from him and was on “his side”. But when I got up there I noticed that all the immediate people in front of me must have had the same thought leaving this newly ordained Priest standing there like a bump on a log. After reading this thread, I’m so glad I recieved from this new young Priest.

As said above, I can respect a preference for recieving from a Priest in a symbolic personal expression of continuity from the celebrant acting “in persona Christi”. However, much of the rationale on this thread bothers me. It seems to disrespect the Bishop in his role as Shepherd.

Only Bishops have fullness of Holy Orders which Christ directly empowers them to “excercise their pastoral office” over their flock. Priest ordination or deacon ordination grants to them no authority or “power” or standing by virtue of ordination. It is the ordained who promises to obey and submit to their Bishop and adhere to their vows of chastity, and to pray the Liturgy of the Hours. It is from the Bishop that they are “empowered.”

A Priest gains the authority to say Mass, hear Confessions, confirm, marry, etc. through “faculties” granted by the Bishop to assist the Bishop in his Pastoral responsibilities to the flock. Similarly, Deacons recieve faculties direct from the Bishop. They don’t "gain any “power” to do anything without specific authority (faculty) by the Bishop.

One of the faculties given to Priests by the Bishop is the authority to deputize EMHC’s for the purpose of assisting in the distribution of the Eucharist in Mass, Communion Services, and to the home bound. In essence, EMHC’s are given their faculty from the Bishop (truly “in persona Christi”).

Some of the comments on this thread belie a misunderstanding of authority entrusted to the Church via Bishops and their authorized deputies partially described here from the Catechism and a mistaken perception that an EMHC’s ministry is inferior or even invalid.

If you doubt the ministry of a EMHC (granted from faculties from the Bishop), what confidence do you have in the validity of the Mass or authority of your Pastor (also granted from faculties of the Bishop)?

Just like Catholics are not to pick and choose which Teachings are Inspired Truth, we are not to pick which faculties granted from the Bishop are “valid.” They all flow from the charisms (graces of the Holy Spirit) given to Church in order to perform Her great commission to lead people to Christ.

CC893: The bishop is the steward of the grace of the supreme priesthood, especially in the Eucharist which he offers personally or whose offering he assures through the priests, his coworkers.

And also 911: “The laity can also feel called, or be in fact called, to cooperate with their pastors in the service of the ecclesial community, for the sake of its growth and life. This can be done through the exercise of different kinds of ministries according to the grace and charisms which the Lord has been pleased to bestow on them.”

 

[Cristiano]

Would I decline communion from a EMHC if I was sick at home…yes

I would prefer to be annointed and receive communion from a deacon in lieu of a priest.

What’s next, having your confession heard by a EMHConfession ?

james

Are you saying that you can get the anointing of the sick from a deacon? And then you talk down and would refuse an EMHC? You better study your Catechism!

 

[estesbob]

Are you saying that you can get the anointing of the sick from a deacon? And then you talk down and would refuse an EMHC? You better study your Catechism!

If I could not make it to Church i would accept communion from anyone willing to bring it to me.

 

[Biblioassistant]

It makes no difference to me. I can’t pick which side the priest will be since he changes all the time and the deacon isn’t always there. Most of the time, the EMHC is my father

I’ve had the EMHC bring communion to me when I was in the hospital and was happy to get it.

 

[Jakub]

Are you saying that you can get the anointing of the sick from a deacon? And then you talk down and would refuse an EMHC? You better study your Catechism!

Very typical comments of the new church majority…as for study of the catechism your addressing the wrong person…

james

 

[Orionthehunter]

Would I decline communion from a EMHC if I was sick at home…yes

I would prefer to be annointed and receive communion from a deacon in lieu of a priest.

What’s next, having your confession heard by a EMHConfession ?

james

From Christiano: Are you saying that you can get the anointing of the sick from a deacon? And then you talk down and would refuse an EMHC? You better study your Catechism!

From Jakub: Very typical comments of the new church majority…as for study of the catechism your addressing the wrong person…

james

Regarding Deacons performing Annointing of the Sick:

From the Glossary of the Catechism: ANOINTING OF THE SICK: One of the seven sacraments, also known as the “sacrament of the dying,” administered by a priest to a baptized person who begins to be in danger of death because of illness or old age, through prayer and the anointing of the body with the oil of the sick.

Regarding laity distributing communion:

903
Lay people who possess the required qualities can be admitted permanently to the ministries of lector and acolyte. “When the necessity of the Church warrants it and when ministers are lacking, lay persons, even if they are not lectors or acolytes, can also supply for certain of their offices, namely, to exercise the ministry of the word, to preside over liturgical prayers, to confer Baptism, and to **distribute Holy Communion **in accord with the prescriptions of law.”

Regarding laity or Deacons doing Confession:

From the Glossary of the Catechism: PENANCE, SACRAMENT OF: The liturgical celebration of God’s forgiveness of the sins of the penitent, who is thus reconciled with God and with the Church. The acts of the penitent–contrition, the confession of sins, and satisfaction or reparation–together with the prayer of absolution by the priest, constitute the essential elements of the Sacrament of Penance

I don’t understand the possible sarcasm of “new church majority”. All I know is that the Church via the Catechism is clear: Only the ordained Priests can perform the Sacraments of Penance and Annointing of the Sick. Lay persons may be deputized to assist in the distribution of Holy Communion.

 

[paramedicgirl]

If I was sick at home or in the hospital, I would definitely want to be visited by a priest. That way, I would be able to receive several sacraments, something an EMHC cannot do.

When my brother was in the hospital for two weeks in June, just before his death, his traditional priest traveled a hundred miles (from Calgary to Edmonton) on two occasions to see him and administer the sacraments to him. He received the very beautiful sacrament of Extreme Unction, preformed according to the ancient Roman Rite; there were many blessings given, and he received the sacraments of Confession and Communion.

The priesthood is a life of service, and this particular priest didn’t hesitate to show his commitment to his vocation when he was needed by my brother. God bless him.

 

[Scottgun]

Yeah, I’ve manuvered to receive from a priest. No, I don’t think it is wrong to receive from an EMHC, I just believe it is more seemly to receive from the priest. Fortunately, I have found a wonderful Maronite parish where I live and the priest communes *everyone *by intinction.

Scott

 

[Sheeniac]

I’m an EMHC and would prefer to receive from a priest, or if I had to go to an EMHC, I would prefer to receive from a man.

I’m always shocked when people get out of Father’s line and come to me!

We only have the chalice in one Mass (10:30) but I will serve whenever needed. While I would rather we not use EMHCs at all, if someone has to be up there, I would rather it be an orthodox-minded person. So, I answered my parish’s call.

(Ms.) Sheeniac

 

[awalster]

Respectfully, I don’t think anybody’s denying that.

Then what does it matter, really, who gives it to you? Is that really what you’re thinking about, when you go to Mass? WHO will give you the wafer? Do you think about your shopping list as well?

 

[Jakub]

The Lord’s precious Body and Blood is now this…** the wafer? **

james

 

[estesbob]

The Lord’s precious Body and Blood is now this…** the wafer? **

james

And you would decline the Lords Precious body and blood becuase you didnt approve of who was distributing it?

 

[Rabbititus]

The only time I’ve switched lines is when the priest’s line is shorter (one side of the church has fewer pews because of the confessional room in the back) - the idea being that people shouldn’t prefer to get communion from the EMHC and leave the priest just standing there. I have no problem with EMHCs and never jump out of line otherwise - but I think people should always keep in mind that the priest is the preferred minister of Holy Communion.

I got this behavior from my mom, who thinks it’s rude to let the priest’s line run out first.

 

[Sr_Sally]

We usually sit towards the front in the middle. These pews were chosen by my children who like to be able to see that altar well. Because of that, we usually receive from the priest. Today, we ended up sitting in a different section because we were in the confession line before Mass. So we received from the EMHC. Since I go to Mass with my entire family, it would be very awkward for us all to move lines–or for me to move without them!

 

[Jakub]

To answer your uncharitable comment estesbob…yes

My family traditions are quite different than yours…

james

 

[fin]

Yes - I have done this before. There was one woman many years ago who would wear SO MUCH perfume that the Body of Christ tasted like it!!! I could actually taste that perfume taste in my mouth for a good half hour after Mass. I would always try to avoid her line if possible.

~Liza

hi Liza. I’ve experienced the same thing. But I received from a priest. I don’t know, maybe his hands had perfume. I could taste the perfume too in my mouth.

 

[AMDG1]

While at Mass, have you ever intentionally avoided receiving communion from an EMHC so as to receive from a priest or deacon?

If so, why?

Did you jump communion lines or go “far” out of your way?

All the time! I have never, ever received communion from an EMHC in my entire life. No kidding. I’ve even changed lines sometimes at the last minute to receive from a priest (or deacon). My wife pulled to pull me into a line with an EMHC a couple of years ago and wouldn’t go - earning a stern look that said “what’s up with you - this line is faster!” She asked me about it in the car later - clearly annoyed that I didn’t join her - and I told her that I never went to an EMHC in my life and I wasn’t about to start now. She was surprised (I guess I never told her)…she thought I just had a preference for a regularly ordained minister rather than a strong internal belief against EMHC’s.

Before I get nasty-grams from people telling me, “but EMHC’s are approved by the Church”…I know all that. But understand that I grew up in a conservative N.O. parish as a kid and although we switched to a more progressive parish as a middle-schooler through high-schooler I always sought out a priest (or deacon) based on the instruction I received in my first parish. I also receive only on the tongue which sometimes startles more liberal clergy - but I know who they are and gravitate to the more conservative ones who by now probably recognize me because I’m one of only 5 or so people who don’t receive in the hand in my parish.

As to why I do this - I was taught the sanctity of the true presence of the body of Christ in the eucharist and as an ordinary layperson not worthy to touch the body of Christ with my hands. I recognized even as a kid that in some ways this was more symbolic than anything (priests are imperfect human beings too, capable of sin as we now know all too well) but it’s about respect and reverence - something that sadly many people don’t seem to understand or appreciate these days.

 

[Semper_Fi_1]

Yes I have…in situations where there were almost as many people in the pews as people up on “stage”…I remeber a Mass one time where there was 40 people in the pews and 10 people up on “stage” (gee look at me…aren’t I imoportant in the church). EMHCs exist for the SOLE reason that they are needed in EXTRAORDINARY cirucumstances to distribute…Extraordinary means RARELY

EMHCs aren’t even ‘extraordinary’ technically speaking, they are just lay people.