Hypothetical question

[Razer144000]

Consider this: someone received Communion, chewed it, and swallowed it, only for a piece of it to be stuck in their teeth later. What would happen if the next day they felt it and removed it from their mouth and threw it away, not knowing it was the Body of Christ?

 

[CB_Catholic]

Consider this: someone received Communion, chewed it, and swallowed it, only for a piece of it to be stuck in their teeth later. What would happen if the next day they felt it and removed it from their mouth and threw it away, not knowing it was the Body of Christ?

Since it was not deliberate disrespect it would not be a sacrilege or a sin or anything. But the point is moot. You won’t find that happening because saliva is strong enough to dissolve a thin wafer of wheat like the communion host before the next day. It’s not like it’s a seed, or a piece of meat, or a corn or popcorn kernel.

 

[JewishCatholic]

Consider this: someone received Communion, chewed it, and swallowed it, only for a piece of it to be stuck in their teeth later. What would happen if the next day they felt it and removed it from their mouth and threw it away, not knowing it was the Body of Christ?

Unfortunately that is the real body and blood of Jesus. It would not be a mortal sin since it was unintentional, but nonetheless they just threw Jesus into the trash bin.

 

[JurisPrudens]

Consider this: someone received Communion, chewed it, and swallowed it, only for a piece of it to be stuck in their teeth later. What would happen if the next day they felt it and removed it from their mouth and threw it away, not knowing it was the Body of Christ?

That is why I chew the Host thoroughly, not to leave anything…

 

[GEddie]

As was remarked, the Eucharistic host won’t survive that long in your body; it’s a non-issue.

ICXC NIKA

 

[Reuben_J]

That is why I chew the Host thoroughly, not to leave anything…

When we were kids we were taught by our catechism teacher to swallow the host, not to chew it. He said the body of Jesus should not touch our teeth.

Have been doing that ever since, it has become a habit. So entrenched was the teaching in my psyche, I could never able letting myself to chew the Lord.

In any case, bizarre was the teaching, on hindsight, it surely ensures that the host would never get caught between your teeth to be accidentally brushed away later.

 

[WT1]

When we were kids we were taught by our catechism teacher to swallow the host, not to chew it. He said the body of Jesus should not touch our teeth.

Have been doing that ever since, it has become a habit. So entrenched was the teaching in my psyche, I could never able letting myself to chew the Lord.

In any case, bizarre was the teaching, on hindsight, it surely ensures that the host would never get caught between your teeth to be accidentally brushed away later.

I’ve never heard of this. Does anyone else practice this?

 

[Kurisu35712]

I’ve never heard of this. Does anyone else practice this?

I usually do this unless I’m dehydrated. Saliva is generally enough to basically dissolve the Eucharist.

To answer the OP, it wouldn’t be an issue. For one, it wouldn’t stay stuck in your teeth long enough for that to happen. Don’t get scrupulous over things like this. I’m not saying you are, but the tone of your post, to me, leans in that direction.

 

[e_c]

…Braces can sometimes be an issue.

#catecheticalmoment

 

[otjm]

When a Host, for whatever reason (e.g., it was dropped on the floor) must be disposed of, it is put into a glass of water. The Church holds that when it has broken down (dissolved is not a correct term, because the accidents of bread do not dissolve in water - they are still visible) - that Christ is no longer present. The water with what remains should then be disposed of in the sacrarium sink.

As any part of a Host which had become essentially broken down by the saliva in your mouth, Christ was no longer present. You probably should have swallowed it, if for no other reason than reverence, but if you did not, no intentional wrong was done.

 

[ProVobis]

Consider this: someone received Communion, chewed it, and swallowed it, only for a piece of it to be stuck in their teeth later. What would happen if the next day they felt it and removed it from their mouth and threw it away, not knowing it was the Body of Christ?

It was unintentional, whether it happened two minutes later or the next day.

No need to overanalyze the situation. You received full sacramental graces.