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

[otjm]

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

A deacon cannot anoint you.

And you would refuse Christ Himself because you did not like the way He presented Himself to you? Really???

 

[captaincoog]

I always sit on the side that the Priest will be standing on during the distribution of Holy Communion, but will always swap lines as discreetly as possible if I find myself on the wrong side accidently.
I want to receive from a Priest, and see no need whatsoever for anyone other than a Priest or Deacon to distribute the Eucharist. I don’t want to encourage the practice, and await the time when the extraordinary circumstances which require EMHC’s subside once more…

 

[rayne89]

No I have not.

 

[Petergee]

I have always felt that layment have no business handling the Eucharist, whether through an EMHC or their own hands. I like it to go to from the hands of the celebrant to my tongue without any pitstops. Since the priest is in persona christi, it makes the experience Holier in my opinion, and I don’t see how nobody in the mainstream agrees with me on that. These days, one goes to mass and sees ten EMHCs when there are only thirty people in attendance. To me being in EMCH in most cases involves an undeniable sin of pride.

You seem to think the EMHCs have somehow forced the priest to use too many EMHCs. It is the priest’s decision - if there are too many EMHCs, complain to him, don’t blame the EMHCs for doing what Father asked them to do.

The only “sin of pride” I see here is the amazing number of people on this thread who think they know better than the Pope, their bishop and their priest, re whom they should receive Communion from, and who use the most sacred rite of the Church to make their personal political protest against the existence of EMHCs. I am disgusted more by the attitudes here than I am by the over-use of EMHCs.

 

[Petergee]

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.

You would want the priest to come every week to give you Reconciliation and the Sacrament of the Sick? In most parishes that would be quite impracticable and in the case of the latter sacrament, also inappropriate. If I was sick I would be grateful for any sacrament I could get.

 

[LtColUSMC]

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

Hey Devil Dog, I believe the “occassion” to use EMHC is in the “exraordinary” situations (when there aren’t enough clergy around) to give out Holy Communion.

 

[Liberanos]

No. Seems overly pietistic to me, bordering on superstition. That’s my 2 cents.

 

[mouda772]

yes,i do it every Mass,even if i have to wait for ages and go to the other side of the church.why-because these EMHC are not consecrated in anyway,they touch our Lord with their hands in such a disrespectful way that deminishes the True Presence by making it seem like we are just eating bread.they often dont genuflect when opening the tabernacle and they are usually people who want their own glory and are therefore not to be trusted with such a sacred task.they also lack the knowledge to give due reverence,they especially have no ability to bless people.they are the reason vocations have gone down because they lessen the reverence of the blessed sacrament and now that you dont have to be a concecrated minister to touch the body,blood,soul or divinity of Our Lord then why would you listen to your calling if you can just go around doing things only reserved for our priests without having to be a priest-ofcourse those who have a calling rearly ignor it if it is a true calling and the light of the Holy Spirit will make them realise that EMHC are invalid and make Jesus extremely angry-we are so lucky he is humble enough to come down upon the alter at the priests command and be with us a prisoner of love-think of Him now in the tabernacle of your local church-at least then you can consol this poor prisoner who is ignored day and night by EMHC and other faithful.and remember to visit the imprisoned

 

[Petergee]

why would you listen to your calling if you can just go around doing things only reserved for our priests without having to be a priest-ofcourse those who have a calling rearly ignor it if it is a true calling and the light of the Holy Spirit will make them realise that EMHC are invalid and make Jesus extremely angry-

Who gave you the authority to say this contradicting what your Holy Spirit-inspired Pope, bishop and priest have declared valid and in accord with Jesus’ wishes, and not “reserved for priests”?

we are so lucky he is humble enough to come down upon the alter at the priests command and be with us a prisoner of love-think of Him now in the tabernacle of your local church-at least then you can consol this poor prisoner who is ignored day and night by EMHC and other faithful.and remember to visit the imprisoned

In my parish and I’m sure many others the EMHCs in particular are encouraged to spend time adoring Jesus in the Eucharist.

they are usually people who want their own glory

Please explain to me how this could happen, since they can only become EMHCs, and minister at any particular Mass, at the invitation, commissioning and direction of the priest, and they don’t seem to get any glory, in fact it seems that by their becoming EMHCs they have earned your contempt.

 

[Scottgun]

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?

Give the responses a fair hear hearing and I think you will find that few are saying EMHC=illegitimate, Priest=legitimate. But rather are saying EMHC=legitimate, Priest=BETTER. And that is why it matters.

Scott

 

[Sarabande]

Give the responses a fair hear hearing and I think you will find that few are saying EMHC=illegitimate, Priest=legitimate. But rather are saying EMHC=legitimate, Priest=BETTER. And that is why it matters.

I think you are right about this. I also think that most people aren’t judging the EMHCs or anyone else. Most are just saying that they would rather have a priest distribute the communion to them. What’s wrong with that? EMHCs are fine and useful especially in times and areas where there aren’t any priests save for a few

 

[Petergee]

Give the responses a fair hear hearing and I think you will find that few are saying EMHC=illegitimate, Priest=legitimate. But rather are saying EMHC=legitimate, Priest=BETTER. And that is why it matters.

Scott

Yes it would be BETTER if we had plenty of priests everywhere and there was no need for EMHCs. But there aren’t enough priests. AND although at some Masses there seem to be too many EMHCs, the decision as to whether to use EMHCs, who and how many to use, and their training in correct procedure, is up to the bishop and the priest, not for you or me to decide in contradiction to them. So although I may think there are too many EMHCs for the size of the congregation, during Communion is not the time to make a statement about it. Talk to the priest about it outside Mass.
All the ministers (whether bishops, priests, deacons, acolytes or EMHCs) at any Mass are valid, and it is NOT “better” to receive from one or the other. And those who deliberately avoid EMHCs are just as wrong as those who deliberately avoid the priest because they want to recieve from a layperson/woman/friend/relative.

 

[Scottgun]

Yes it would be BETTER if we had plenty of priests everywhere and there was no need for EMHCs. But there aren’t enough priests. AND although at some Masses there seem to be too many EMHCs, the decision as to whether to use EMHCs, who and how many to use, and their training in correct procedure, is up to the bishop and the priest, not for you or me to decide in contradiction to them. So although I may think there are too many EMHCs for the size of the congregation, during Communion is not the time to make a statement about it. Talk to the priest about it outside Mass.
All the ministers (whether bishops, priests, deacons, acolytes or EMHCs) at any Mass are valid, and it is NOT “better” to receive from one or the other. And those who deliberately avoid EMHCs are just as wrong as those who deliberately avoid the priest because they want to recieve from a layperson/woman/friend/relative.

Please show Church teaching that it is wrong to chose to receive from a priest over an EMHC. Another person talked about the *in persona Christi *aspect and it is a valid argument. And I don’t and I think few do, “make a statement about it” in mass. I usually figure out where the priest is going to commune and sit there. On those few times I moved, I did so subtley that no one would notice unless they were looking at me the whole time, and if they are doing that, the focus of their attention is in the wrong place. Thanks.

 

[Orionthehunter]

yes,i do it every Mass,even if i have to wait for ages and go to the other side of the church.why-because these EMHC are not consecrated in anyway,they touch our Lord with their hands in such a disrespectful way that deminishes the True Presence by making it seem like we are just eating bread.they often dont genuflect when opening the tabernacle and they are usually people who want their own glory and are therefore not to be trusted with such a sacred task.they also lack the knowledge to give due reverence,they especially have no ability to bless people.they are the reason vocations have gone down because they lessen the reverence of the blessed sacrament and now that you dont have to be a concecrated minister to touch the body,blood,soul or divinity of Our Lord then why would you listen to your calling if you can just go around doing things only reserved for our priests without having to be a priest-ofcourse those who have a calling rearly ignor it if it is a true calling and the light of the Holy Spirit will make them realise that EMHC are invalid and make Jesus extremely angry-we are so lucky he is humble enough to come down upon the alter at the priests command and be with us a prisoner of love-think of Him now in the tabernacle of your local church-at least then you can consol this poor prisoner who is ignored day and night by EMHC and other faithful.and remember to visit the imprisoned

A couple comments by things about the above post:

“they are usually people who want their own glory”-- Since when are we to judge the interior motives and state of others? This is the exclusive perogative of God. To do so, is grave matter.

"if you can just go around doing things only reserved for our priests "-- The Church Herself has granted the authority for the laity to distribute Holy Communion. She is empowered by Christ to determine which ministries can involve the ordained, consecrated, or laity.

“EMHC are not consecrated in anyway” Agreed. The Church doesn’t require that only the consecrated may touch the Blessed Sacrament. This being said, would it be acceptable to YOU if they only distribute the Blood?

“they touch our Lord with their hands in such a disrespectful way”-- Is this a problem of Catechesis or is it inherent because of your errant belief that only the ordained may touch the Blessed Sacrament?

"“deminishes the True Presence by making it seem like we are just eating bread” Nothing diminishes the Blessed Sacrament. It is Christ, Body, Soul and Divinity. We can’t add or subtract. Christ is perfect always.

“they often dont genuflect when opening the tabernacle”- This is a catechesis and training problem. We don’t get good and reverent altar servers when they start doing daily Mass. But with training and experience, they become models of decorum soon there after. If we can train young grade schoolers, surely adults can be trained.

“they also lack the knowledge to give due reverence”-- Bingo, my point exactly. This is a catechetical formation problem.

“they especially have no ability to bless people”- This is a good point and a good reason for one who can’t recieve to always be in the line of the Priest. However, I have a question. Can we as lay people give a “lay blessing”? I know it isn’t the same or have the same efficacy of a Priest’s blessing. Is this something which the Church allows faculties to be given to the laity such that it is as efficacious?

“they are the reason vocations have gone down”-- Vocations began to go down well before the re-introduction of distributing both Species.

“because they lessen the reverence of the blessed sacrament”-- If you are saying this because of their poor catechesis and training, this can be solved. We shouldn’t be focused on who is giving us Christ but that we are recieving Him.

“now that you dont have to be a concecrated minister to touch the body,blood,soul or divinity of Our Lord then why would you listen to your calling”-- Do you really think a man called to the Priesthood says “I can distribute Communion as a substitute to my calling”? My diocese has seminarians well above “replacement” levels related to retirements and it is stocked from beginning to end. We are truly blessed and I am so grateful. Thank God.

The Chaplain of my daughter’s Catholic High School specifically recruits boys and girls who he thinks may have a calling or are student leaders to be EMHC’s in lieu of teachers. This Chaplain is called by many in jest our local “Director of Vocations”. They are very well trained and their witness of reverence is an inspiration and example for the other students.

“the light of the Holy Spirit will make them realise that EMHC are invalid and make Jesus extremely angry”-- Why do you think this is a matter which the Holy Spirit has abandoned the Church?

 

[Orionthehunter]

Christ via the Church has empowered the Bishops to give faculties to Priests, Deacons and the laity. Most of us understand the faculties of Priests and there has been little dissension on this thread regarding these faculties except for one: The authority to deputize laity to assist in the distribution of Communion.

The Catechism provides guidance to the faithful in this matter. As Catholics we are called to follow, accept, assent and obey this guidance.

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.

CC911: “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.”

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)?

We are not to pick and choose which Doctrines we consider Truth. There is great parallel in the selective assent to which ministers of the Church we will accept. 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.

We are permitted to practice or not practice certain approved devotions.

We are permitted to have a personal preference with regard to which approved Minister of Holy Communion from whom we recieve.

But we are not permitted to make some of these accusations on this thread with regard to the validity of the ministry of EMHC’s as it is a direct affront to authority given to Bishops directly from the Church itself. This is not a prudential matter left to the faithful.

Most importantly, in my opinion, the greater Church is not served by those who She needs as an example of submission and assent to approach any issue with a “cafeteria” attitude of “I will pick and choose”.

This all being said, I know that some of the opposition is grounded in abuses. These need to stop. But like so many of our problems in the Church it is the result of poor catechesis. What have you done to improve the catechetical formation of your fellow Catholics?

 

[davy39]

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

Let’s not get carried away with this anti-EMHC thing. Depending on you illness, the Holy Communion you receive from the EMHC could be you last time. It seems to me, to refuse Holy Communion would be quite a shame. It is still the Body of Christ, and no less so, even if it is brought to you by a EMHC.

 

[Scottgun]

Thanks Orion. We seem to be on the same page. With regard to this quote:

We are permitted to have a personal preference with regard to which approved Minister of Holy Communion from whom we recieve.

You will notice I asked Peter to substantiate the claim that it is wrong to recieve from a priest over an EMHC becaue it is my belief that the opposite is true–that we can in fact chose to receive from a priest just as we may choose hand or tongue in general. I’ve read this before but cannot locate it, do you know where this might be?

 

[TraditionalCath]

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?

yes. i admit it. i prefer to receive communion only from the priest. why? because iam not comfortable receiving it from EMHC.

 

[Orionthehunter]

Thanks Orion. We seem to be on the same page. With regard to this quote:

You will notice I asked Peter to substantiate the claim that it is wrong to recieve from a priest over an EMHC becaue it is my belief that the opposite is true–that we can in fact chose to receive from a priest just as we may choose hand or tongue in general. I’ve read this before but cannot locate it, do you know where this might be?

My suspicion is that the Church is silent on it. To make any statement would IMHO give evidence of misplaced focus. Our focus is solely to be on Christ. Period. The vehicle the Church chooses in their exclusive perogative to deliver Christ should be irrelevant to the faithful.

Analogy: If I gave my wife the car of her dreams and put a blue bow on it, would she have the wrong focus if her first reaction was- “Why did you put a blue bow on it. It detracts from the color of the car”?

With regard to Petergee, I believe he was addressing some of the motives are wrong. Not the act itself. If it is motivated by an attack on the Church’s authority in this matter, that would be wrong. Choice of who is authorized to distribute communion is the Church’s exclusive perogative.

My whole problem with this discussion is that I have difficulty sorting out any reason for a preference which doesn’t indicate some disproportionate focus on the vehicle as opposed to the Gift itself. The Pope himself is infinitely insignificant to the Blessed Sacrament. This being said, I am incapable to see into the hearts of others so I also don’t see any real reason to sort out the validity of others personal preference unless it is grounded in “wrong reason” like an attack on Church authority.

Just yesterday, I was motivated to recieve from my Bishop. As I reflect on it, I don’t think my motives were right. The Bishop is insignificant as compared to Body, Soul and Divinity of my Lord. But this only applies to my own personal judgment of myself. I don’t judge others who have discovered a good reason that I’m unable to fathom. I am a man of limited capabilities.

However, this thread has raised an issue I hope someone answers for me as it would give direction to one who only can recieve a blessing. What is the efficacy of a lay blessing? Does the Church authorize the granting of a temporary faculty to EMHC’s which gives their blessing the same efficacy of a Priestly blessing?

If the answer to the second question is “yes”, I believe we are called by faith to accept this to be so and to not distinguish between the two.

If the answer is “no”, the faithful should be informed of this so these in special spiritual need (can’t recieve the unique graces that come from the Eucharist) should be making a special effort to “get in the Priest’s line.”

 

[estesbob]

To answer your uncharitable comment estesbob…yes

My family traditions are quite different than yours…

james

How could that possibly be an uncharitable comment? I am truly trying to understand why anyone would refrain from receiving the Body and Blood of the Savior of the World because they didnt approve who was dispensing him.