Host Yes, Precious Blood no for our priest?

[love4mary]

For the last two weeks, our priest has NOT taken Communion under both species (Host and Precious Blood), he will only consume the Host. Now if he was ill I could understand this, but as I work with him daily, I can safely say he is not ill. Is this right?

 

[Catholig]

For the last two weeks, our priest has NOT taken Communion under both species (Host and Precious Blood), he will only consume the Host. Now if he was ill I could understand this, but as I work with him daily, I can safely say he is not ill. Is this right?

Do they offer the precious blood to the parishioners or no? Because if not he’d probably have to drink the whole thing - and in that case it may affect him if he is a recovering alcoholic or something.

Catholig

 

[LilyM]

Even if he’s alcoholic he can use a special *mustum *(type of grape juice) but I believe he is required to consume both elements.

 

[Catholig]

Even if he’s alcoholic he can use a special *mustum *(type of grape juice) but I believe he is required to consume both elements.

just trying to be charitable

Catholig

 

[NMJenny]

I assume you’re referring to a situation where your priest is actually saying Mass, right? Is there another priest concelebrating with him?

I’ll have to dig out my Radio Replies by Fathers Rumble and Carty to be sure, but I’m almost positive that I remember reading that the celebrating priest is required to receive both the Body and Blood…

 

[Joe_Kelley]

I don’t have a reference at hand. I am sure I have seen an authoritative statement within the last few months that the celebrant must receive both; I’m not sure about a concelebrant.

I don’t remember whether his failure to consume both results in an illicit or an invalid mass. Does he consecrate both species? Failure to consecrate both definitely invalidates the mass

Someone should ask the diocese.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

For the last two weeks, our priest has NOT taken Communion under both species (Host and Precious Blood), he will only consume the Host. Now if he was ill I could understand this, but as I work with him daily, I can safely say he is not ill. Is this right?

No, it is not right. The Bishops document speaking on priests who cannot eat wheat gluten or drink alcohol specifically says, that a priest who cannot receive under both forms is forbidden to be the sole celebrant or main celebrant in a concelebrated Mass. He may only be a concelebrant. The Mass is incomplete if the priest does not receive under both forms. However the Mass is NOT invalid and the Consecration is valid and Holy Communion takes place.

From Congregation for Doctrine of the Faith

July 24, 2003 Prot. 89/78-174 98

1. A priest unable to receive Communion under the species of bread, including low-gluten hosts, may not celebrate the Eucharist individually, nor may he preside at a concelebration.

usccb.org/liturgy/innews/1103.shtml

 

[LilyM]

No, it is not right. The Bishops document speaking on priests who cannot eat wheat gluten or drink alcohol specifically says, that a priest who cannot receive under both forms is forbidden to be the sole celebrant or main celebrant in a concelebrated Mass. He may only be a concelebrant. The Mass is incomplete if the priest does not receive under both forms. However the Mass is NOT invalid and the Consecration is valid and Holy Communion takes place.

So it’s illicit rather than invalid if this takes place? I guess that would be the case.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

So it’s illicit rather than invalid if this takes place? I guess that would be the case.

It’s seriously illicit and must be stopped by letting the Bishop know.

 

[rpp]

It’s seriously illicit and must be stopped by letting the Bishop know.

Br. Rich SFO, you are always so measured and charitable in your posts. You never speak harsh words or in absolutes and have always seemed unflappable. I have developed a good deal of respect for your steady voice.

But here you have used some very strong language (for you). I am surprised. The rarity in which you use such language is a testament to the seriousness of this.

Thank you for your steady and consistent witness.

 

[love4mary]

This accures during ALL Masses and no other priest is con-celebrating with him. All in the parish may recieve the Precious Blood during Mass.

I prepare the gifts daily for him and I am careful to not put to much wine in the chalice, even if I did, he has instructed all Cup Ministers to consume any remaining Precious Blood before he purifies at the Altar.

He has no problem with alcoholism so this is all very disturbing to me. Many things he does bothers me and when I ask him about it, (in a non judgemental way) he says that I focus to much on the Letter of the Law and not the Spirit of the Law. I always thought there should be a balance between the two.

 

[rpp]

{snip}

He has no problem with alcoholism so this is all very disturbing to me. Many things he does bothers me and when I ask him about it, (in a non judgemental way) he says that I focus too much on the Letter of the Law and not the Spirit of the Law. I always thought there should be a balance between the two.

When I hear such things, I think to myself, “the spirit of the law is in the letter of the law.”

 

[ltbpoe43]

Watch again closely - any chance of self-intinction that maybe you are not seeing???

If it happens again - alert the bishop as other posters mention.

 

[love4mary]

ltbpoe43 Watch again closely - any chance of self-intinction that maybe you are not seeing???

If it happens again - alert the bishop as other posters mention.

I am the main Altar Server during the week so I am in a position to observe him,He does not do self-intinction, Host only.

We are in-between bishops right now as ours is now an Arch-Bishop and Rome has not appointed another for us.

Because he is the priest, I will continue to follow his direction (within reason that is). He is a hard working and caring priest, but sometimes he likes to “dance to his own drum” a bit.

I will continue to pray for him and all priest in our beautiful church,.

 

[awindrose]

This accures during ALL Masses and no other priest is con-celebrating with him. All in the parish may recieve the Precious Blood during Mass.

I prepare the gifts daily for him and I am careful to not put to much wine in the chalice, even if I did, he has instructed all Cup Ministers to consume any remaining Precious Blood before he purifies at the Altar.

He has no problem with alcoholism so this is all very disturbing to me.

For all you know, he might be on some kind of medicine that cannot be taken with alcohol. Or he might have a condition (like gout) that is worst when alcohol is consumed. I know my fiance gets a raging headache from just a sip of red wine.

 

[rpp]

No, it is not right. The Bishops document speaking on priests who cannot eat wheat gluten or drink alcohol specifically says, that a priest who cannot receive under both forms is forbidden to be the sole celebrant or main celebrant in a concelebrated Mass. He may only be a concelebrant. The Mass is incomplete if the priest does not receive under both forms. However the Mass is NOT invalid and the Consecration is valid and Holy Communion takes place.

From Congregation for Doctrine of the Faith

July 24, 2003 Prot. 89/78-174 98

1. A priest unable to receive Communion under the species of bread, including low-gluten hosts, may not celebrate the Eucharist individually, nor may he preside at a concelebration.

usccb.org/liturgy/innews/1103.shtml

This accures during ALL Masses and no other priest is con-celebrating with him. All in the parish may recieve the Precious Blood during Mass.

I prepare the gifts daily for him and I am careful to not put to much wine in the chalice, even if I did, he has instructed all Cup Ministers to consume any remaining Precious Blood before he purifies at the Altar.

He has no problem with alcoholism so this is all very disturbing to me. Many things he does bothers me and when I ask him about it, (in a non judgemental way) he says that I focus to much on the Letter of the Law and not the Spirit of the Law. I always thought there should be a balance between the two.

For all you know, he might be on some kind of medicine that cannot be taken with alcohol. Or he might have a condition (like gout) that is worst when alcohol is consumed. I know my fiance gets a raging headache from just a sip of red wine.

awindrose, as you can see from the first post I quoted, a priest cannot celebrate Mass unless he is able to consume both the Precious Body and Precious Blood.

In the second quoted post, you can see that love4mary had thought about some possible health reason for the priest not consuming and he had asked the priest about it.

It is quite unfortunate, but it appears to be a consious and willfull act by the priest. Of course, we must remain charitable and give the priest the benefit of the doubt.

I would add that in the temporary absence of the bishop, a letter the the Vicar General or the Vicar of Priests of the diocese may be reasonable alternative.

 

[PaixGioiaAmor]

For the last two weeks, our priest has NOT taken Communion under both species (Host and Precious Blood), he will only consume the Host. Now if he was ill I could understand this, but as I work with him daily, I can safely say he is not ill. Is this right?

You work with him daily? Can I assume that you work FOR him in the rectory, or at the very least you volunteer at the parish every single day and work closely with him?

How much respect you must have for him to come to a message board and ask if what he is doing is “right” instead of approaching him and simply asking him.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

awindrose, as you can see from the first post I quoted, a priest cannot celebrate Mass unless he is able to consume both the Precious Body and Precious Blood.

In the second quoted post, you can see that love4mary had thought about some possible health reason for the priest not consuming and he had asked the priest about it.

It is quite unfortunate, but it appears to be a consious and willfull act by the priest. Of course, we must remain charitable and give the priest the benefit of the doubt.

I would add that in the temporary absence of the bishop, a letter the the Vicar General or the Vicar of Priests of the diocese may be reasonable alternative.

The Archbishop I believe also has some limited administrative authority. If this is an Order priest a call or letter to his Order might be in Order. (Pun intended)

 

[cathyf]

I am confused – who purifies the vessels? Is he not consuming the water used to rinse the chalice?

 

[Teelynn]

Even if he’s alcoholic he can use a special *mustum *(type of grape juice) but I believe he is required to consume both elements.

I didn’t know this!! I have always wondered about alcoholic priests and if there were provisions made, but until now it was just one of those things that I hadn’t really inquired about. (not to get off subject) but yes, they are REQUIRED to comsume both elements.