Intinction

[benedictgal]

So are a lot of people just as curious.

The only answer to the question really is “because the document says so.” I’m not aware of any explanations offered by the Holy See as to why deacons cannot intinct, and given that this is a rather popular question, it seems that if there were an answer, it would have surfaced by now. Sorry for answering you in exactly the way you requested not to be answered, but for the moment at least, it seems to be the only answer. In the Eastern Churches, deacons can intinct, so there’s no binding theological reason behind it.

The reason why R.S. states that only a priest can intinct remains an open question, and quite frankly, a bit of a mystery.

Although, RS is not the only document that references this. From the Norms for Distribution of Holy Communion, we find that:

1. Holy Communion may be distributed by intinction in the following manner: “the communicant, while holding the paten under the chin, approaches the priest who holds the vessel with the hosts and at whose side stands the minister holding the chalice. The priest takes the host, intincts the particle into the chalice and, showing it, says: ‘The Body and Blood of Christ.’ The communicant responds, ‘Amen,’ and receives the Sacrament on the tongue from the priest. Afterwards, the communicant returns to his or her place.” (53)

In the GIRM, we also note that:

1. If Communion from the chalice is carried out by intinction, each communicant, holding a communion-plate under the chin, approaches the priest, who holds a vessel with the sacred particles, a minister standing at his side and holding the chalice. The priest takes a host, dips it partly into the chalice and, showing it, says, Corpus et Sanguis Christi (The Body and Blood of Christ). The communicant responds, Amen, receives the Sacrament in the mouth from the priest, and then withdraws.

So, it’s not just RS that states this. These were the sources that the CDWDS official quoted to me when I made my inquiry.

 

[Brendan]

They will be receiving under both species, of course, since it’s a Sacrament of Initiation.

I agree that there is a lot to be said for the recieving under both species, but I don’t quite understand your reasoning. It would be a Sacrament of Initiation (and no less so) if there was a single species involved.

 

[choy]

So are a lot of people just as curious.

The only answer to the question really is “because the document says so.” I’m not aware of any explanations offered by the Holy See as to why deacons cannot intinct, and given that this is a rather popular question, it seems that if there were an answer, it would have surfaced by now. Sorry for answering you in exactly the way you requested not to be answered, but for the moment at least, it seems to be the only answer. In the Eastern Churches, deacons can intinct, so there’s no binding theological reason behind it.

The reason why R.S. states that only a priest can intinct remains an open question, and quite frankly, a bit of a mystery.

thank you FrDavid, you have answered wonderfully
i always look forward to your posts