I saw someone steal the eucharist.

[AndrewF1995]

Today at the parish my family attends, I had to go to this confirmation “Spirit” day. So many bad things happened, like a lady was fumbling around in the tabernacle to show us what a pyx is, and she took one of the things for a monstrance with a consecrated host in it and was just casually walking around with it. I saw it and kneeled because I really didn’t know what else to do.

After this thing when the lady compared the altar to a thanksgiving dinner table we went to mass… I was asked to altar serve and and durring communion, I saw a eucharistic minister give communion to a women who broke it in half (it looked like it) when she was like 6 feet away from the minister, I believe she put half in her mouth after she cracked it (crumbs must have fallen all over the floor) she put the other half either in her pocket, or she had it in her fist I couldnt tell. I ran after her then realized I needed to tell the deacon or priest, the deacon just said “thanks” and I didnt know what to do.

After mass I ran to the priest and I said “I saw a women steal the eucharist, I think she put in her pocket” he said “sometimes people do the wrong thing” in a uncaring voice. I told the deacon and he said “she must have been bringing it home for a sick person” I said that your not sopose to do that and he just said “well we will let it slip” and I was so disgusted that they did NOTHING. I was thinking they could have at least cared a little and made a announcement. But not even that.

Where do I go? This priest was the pastor. I was almost crying on the way home. I feel like I should have done something more.

 

[po18guy]

You have already done something by pointing it out to them. The responsibility is now the Priest’s. Pray for him, as his faith may need strengthening. In all charity, you may also mention this to the woman should you see her again. She may deny it, but she is then aware that others (let alone God!) are watching. She may also receive our Lord in a pix if someone is in need of the Sacrament - but the priest should first discuss the state of their soul with them before they are offered communion. Yes, it’s a mess, but one that has been placed before you. Be strong, but humble and charitable. And pray.

 

[AndrewF1995]

You have already done something by pointing it out to them. The responsibility is now the Priest’s. Pray for him, as his faith may need strengthening. In all charity, you may also mention this to the woman should you see her again. She may deny it, but she is then aware that others (let alone God!) are watching. She may also receive our Lord in a pix if someone is in need of the Sacrament - but the priest should first discuss the state of their soul with them before they are offered communion. Yes, it’s a mess, but one that has been placed before you. Be strong, but humble and charitable. And pray.

Thank you. Keep the parish priest in your prayers please too. Deep down he’s a really good person but he sort of lets everyone walk all over him.

 

[po18guy]

Thank you. Keep the parish priest in your prayers please too. Deep down he’s a really good person but he sort of lets everyone walk all over him.

Keep this all in perspective, because there are many who either do not believe in God, or flat out reject Him. How tragic is that? What is Father’s first name (only), so that I may add him to my prayers?

 

[Damase]

Where do I go? This priest was the pastor. I was almost crying on the way home. I feel like I should have done something more.

I agree that you did everything you should have at the time. But you also have a responsibility and a right to report these grave abuses to the bishop of your diocese.

Father Zuhlsdorf has a good list of guidelines for writing your bishop, since you want to do this right the first time: here.

Also, may I suggest making a Holy Hour in front of the Blessed Sacrament in reparation for the sins of others? If you unfamiliar with the concept of prayers of reparation, consider what Pope Pius XII has to say: “The creature’s love should be given in return for the love of the Creator, another thing follows from this at once, namely that to the same uncreated Love, if so be it has been neglected by forgetfulness or violated by offense, some sort of compensation must be rendered for the injury, and this debt is commonly called by the name of reparation.”

With that most profound respect which divine Faith inspires, O my God and Savior Jesus Christ, true God and true man, I adore You, and with my whole heart I love You, hidden in the most august Sacrament of the Altar, in reparation of all the irreverences, profanations, and sacrileges, that I, to my shame, may have until now committed, as also for all those that have been committed against You, or that may be ever committed for the time to come.

I offer to You, therefore, O my God, my humble adoration, not indeed, such as You are worthy of, nor such as I owe You, but such, at least, as I am capable of offering; and I wish that I could love You with the most perfect love of which rational creatures are capable.

In the meantime, I desire to adore You now and always, not only for those Catholics who do not adore or love You, but also so supply the defect, and for the conversion of all heretics, schismatics, libertines, atheists, blasphemers, sorcerers, Mahomedans, Jews, and idolaters. Ah! yes, my Jesus, may You be known, adored, and loved by all and may thanks be continually given to You in the most holy and august Sacrament!

 

[HCC]

Today at the parish my family attends, I had to go to this confirmation “Spirit” day. So many bad things happened, like a lady was fumbling around in the tabernacle to show us what a pyx is, and she took one of the things for a monstrance with a consecrated host in it and was just casually walking around with it. I saw it and kneeled because I really didn’t know what else to do.

After this thing when the lady compared the altar to a thanksgiving dinner table we went to mass… I was asked to altar serve and and durring communion, I saw a eucharistic minister give communion to a women who broke it in half (it looked like it) when she was like 6 feet away from the minister, I believe she put half in her mouth after she cracked it (crumbs must have fallen all over the floor) she put the other half either in her pocket, or she had it in her fist I couldnt tell. I ran after her then realized I needed to tell the deacon or priest, the deacon just said “thanks” and I didnt know what to do.

After mass I ran to the priest and I said “I saw a women steal the eucharist, I think she put in her pocket” he said “sometimes people do the wrong thing” in a uncaring voice. I told the deacon and he said “she must have been bringing it home for a sick person” I said that your not sopose to do that and he just said “well we will let it slip” and I was so disgusted that they did NOTHING. I was thinking they could have at least cared a little and made a announcement. But not even that.

Where do I go? This priest was the pastor. I was almost crying on the way home. I feel like I should have done something more.

Andrew, I am sorry you had to experience this. I went through many of the same things back in the 90s when I was your age and was treated like a freak for caring. At the end of the day, you have to just pray and offer it up. I know it is painful, but you can’t let these things eat you alive. Pray for all involved that their hearts be changed and maybe offer up your next communion in reparation.

 

[AndrewF1995]

Keep this all in perspective, because there are many who either do not believe in God, or flat out reject Him. How tragic is that? What is Father’s first name (only), so that I may add him to my prayers?

Robert. and Yes I am keeping it in perspective. IT was just sort of sad for me to see this.

 

[po18guy]

Robert. and Yes I am keeping it in perspective. IT was just sort of sad for me to see this.

Fr. Robert is in my prayers. It is a very good sign that this has bothered you so. It bothers our Lord, too. All of the prayers and all of the work in the world cannot stop all such abuses from happening, but if we are saddened just as the Lord is saddened, good will come from it.

Christ’s peace be with you.

 

[AndrewF1995]

Fr. Robert is in my prayers. It is a very good sign that this has bothered you so. It bothers our Lord, too. All of the prayers and all of the work in the world cannot stop all such abuses from happening, but if we are saddened just as the Lord is saddened, good will come from it.

Christ’s peace be with you.

Thank you! Yes good will come of this I hope.

 

[TheMc]

Today at the parish my family attends, I had to go to this confirmation “Spirit” day. So many bad things happened, like a lady was fumbling around in the tabernacle to show us what a pyx is, and she took one of the things for a monstrance with a consecrated host in it and was just casually walking around with it. I saw it and kneeled because I really didn’t know what else to do.

After this thing when the lady compared the altar to a thanksgiving dinner table we went to mass… I was asked to altar serve and and durring communion, I saw a eucharistic minister give communion to a women who broke it in half (it looked like it) when she was like 6 feet away from the minister, I believe she put half in her mouth after she cracked it (crumbs must have fallen all over the floor) she put the other half either in her pocket, or she had it in her fist I couldnt tell. I ran after her then realized I needed to tell the deacon or priest, the deacon just said “thanks” and I didnt know what to do.

After mass I ran to the priest and I said “I saw a women steal the eucharist, I think she put in her pocket” he said “sometimes people do the wrong thing” in a uncaring voice. I told the deacon and he said “she must have been bringing it home for a sick person” I said that your not sopose to do that and he just said “well we will let it slip” and I was so disgusted that they did NOTHING. I was thinking they could have at least cared a little and made a announcement. But not even that.

Where do I go? This priest was the pastor. I was almost crying on the way home. I feel like I should have done something more.

I would say you need to write the bishop about this. Even if your priest dosen’t care, you still should. I would also follow Fr. Z’s guidelines (mentioned above).

 

[AndrewF1995]

I would say you need to write the bishop about this. Even if your priest dosen’t care, you still should. I would also follow Fr. Z’s guidelines (mentioned above).

I am thinking about writing a letter but what do I say in it?

 

[DJgang]

After this thing when the lady compared the altar to a thanksgiving dinner table we went to mass… I was asked to altar serve and and durring communion, I saw a eucharistic minister give communion to a women who broke it in half (it looked like it) when she was like 6 feet away from the minister, I believe she put half in her mouth after she cracked it (crumbs must have fallen all over the floor) she put the other half either in her pocket, or she had it in her fist I couldnt tell. I ran after her then realized I needed to tell the deacon or priest, the deacon just said “thanks” and I didnt know what to do.

Ok, bold is mine of course.

I would definitely write the Bishop about the pastor not showing much concern when you brought it to his attention, as well as, the whole thanksgiving dinner table comment.

However … Did you or did you not see someone steal the host? I do not doubt if you say you did, however, I am just concerned that you are not totally sure what you really saw. In the bolded comments, you seem rather uncertain yourself. Just saying…

Sorry that you experienced this at all. Your parish will be in my prayers.

 

[callmeChris]

Today at the parish my family attends, I had to go to this confirmation “Spirit” day. So many bad things happened, like a lady was fumbling around in the tabernacle to show us what a pyx is, and she took one of the things for a monstrance with a consecrated host in it and was just casually walking around with it. I saw it and kneeled because I really didn’t know what else to do.

After this thing when the lady compared the altar to a thanksgiving dinner table we went to mass… I was asked to altar serve and and durring communion, I saw a eucharistic minister give communion to a women who broke it in half (it looked like it) when she was like 6 feet away from the minister, I believe she put half in her mouth after she cracked it (crumbs must have fallen all over the floor) she put the other half either in her pocket, or she had it in her fist I couldnt tell. I ran after her then realized I needed to tell the deacon or priest, the deacon just said “thanks” and I didnt know what to do.

After mass I ran to the priest and I said “I saw a women steal the eucharist, I think she put in her pocket” he said “sometimes people do the wrong thing” in a uncaring voice. I told the deacon and he said “she must have been bringing it home for a sick person” I said that your not sopose to do that and he just said “well we will let it slip” and I was so disgusted that they did NOTHING. I was thinking they could have at least cared a little and made a announcement. But not even that.

Where do I go? This priest was the pastor. I was almost crying on the way home. I feel like I should have done something more.

Indeed I myself am disgusted by there actions. Like Our Lady prophesied, ‘Less and less honor is being giving to the Eucharist’ I suggest contacting your local bishop. You need to put emphasison the lack of reverence on the priests part. Remember that Our Holy Father is constantly demanding that more strict honor, and proper reverence be given to the Holy Eucharist.

 

[AndrewF1995]

Ok, bold is mine of course.

I would definitely write the Bishop about the pastor not showing much concern when you brought it to his attention, as well as, the whole thanksgiving dinner table comment.

However … Did you or did you not see someone steal the host? I do not doubt if you say you did, however, I am just concerned that you are not totally sure what you really saw. In the bolded comments, you seem rather uncertain yourself. Just saying…

Sorry that you experienced this at all. Your parish will be in my prayers.

She walked around the first pew, and I was in the front pew (for some reason altar servers sit there) She cracked the host into a half, she might have put one half into her mouth, not sure about that part. She then moved her fist with the other half of the host toward her pocket and walked away. ( i don’t know if she put it in her pocket or not, but the one thing that is for sure is that she cracked it in half, ate one half then walked away with the other half.)

After mass the Deacon said “Im glad you noticed that but don’t worry she might be bringing it home to a sick relative”
I said "but thats Jesus christ, how can you just let her go up to communion and walk away with it so she could “possibly give it to a sick family member”
he said “we will just let it slip this time”

The priests response was just a lot more disturbing. He didn’t care at all.

 

[AndrewF1995]

Indeed I myself am disgusted by there actions. Like Our Lady prophesied, ‘Less and less honor is being giving to the Eucharist’ I suggest contacting your local bishop. You need to put emphasison the lack of reverence on the priests part. Remember that Our Holy Father is constantly demanding that more strict honor, and proper reverence be given to the Holy Eucharist.

I really would have felt a lot better if they at least made an announcement at the end of mass and said “Remember the eucharist is to be immediately consumed”

 

[Jeffgo]

I’m so glad that you have the concern that you do over this. We need more people like you!

This may be scary, but I would also reccommend speaking to the woman if you see her again. Try doing it in a non-confrontational way. Since you’re an altar server, you could use that to your advantage. Say, “Hey there, I don’t want to be rude/nosy, but I thought I saw you handle the Eucharist improperly a while back at Mass. I would like to explain the proper way to handle It.” This way, you could bring it up with her in a non-judgmental way.

 

[AndrewF1995]

If I see the women I will talk to her. Everything happened so fast I barely remember what she looked like.

 

[h1478971]

If you don’t like what is going on in the OF form I recommend that you consider the EF form Mass.

 

[joandarc2008]

You did the right thing mentioning it to the deacon and to the priest. If you are 100% sure of what you saw than by all means do what you think is right - maybe approaching her and telling her that they have EMHC that can bring Eucharist home to any sick relatives if it is needed and that you would also be happy to pray for any sick family members might be a very loving thing to do and may embarass her into doing the right thing in the future.

 

[Jeffgo]

Also, if you ever do manage to talk with the woman, if at all possible, ensure that she returns that stolen Host.