Intoxicated homeless man behind me in the Communion line

[Memaw]

Having been homeless and having my family asked to leave Catholic Churches–yes CHURCHES, more than one–I am saddened but not surprised by this thread. I am glad to see so many posters stand up for this man, but I really have to say that more often than not Catholics are more judgemental than merciful.

Also, I understand the posters saying to offer a meal, a shower and a place to stay are trying to be helpful. But honestly, he may just want to be with Jesus and isn’t interested in anything else. My husband and I would meet up on Sunday morning to go to Mass. I was lucky enough to be in a shelter with our son (it was for women and children) while he was on the streets. We had some money and could take care of food, but there was no way to pay for a place to live. We moved across the country chasing a job that didn’t pan out and we had no way to go back home. My husband worked day labor, I looked for work and never found a job there. We saved as much as possible with the hope of either moving back home or getting an apartment. We only saw each other on Sundays. We went to Mass, spent the day together until check in time at the shelter. We just wanted to go to Mass, but all too often we were not welcomed to do so. At one point we started attending a Greek Orthodox Church because we were welcomed there, and through the priest there, we were introduced to a Catholic parish that would welcome our family at Mass.

Those were hard times in my family. I am glad I experienced those times. It has made me a much better person and someone who never forgets how blessed I am. It has given us a completely different perspective than most Americans have. We never forget to thank God for all we are given, and we know how easily abundance can turn to poverty. We remember everyday to live life fully and that as hard as some days are, so many others have it much worse. Please try to remember that it isn’t always a person’s fault they become homeless. Sometimes addictions and alcoholism occur AFTER they are homeless for a while and lose hope. Sometimes it is “medicine” to dull their pain. Praise Jesus my husband and I didn’t fall into that trap or we probably would have never found our way out.

It wasn’t homelessness that was the problem, being intoxicated was the reason he should not have been receiving Our Lord. The Bible warns of receiving the Body and Blood of Our Lord unworthily. It doesn’t say ‘its OK if your drunk to do so.’ That’s why I said the man needed help not stares. That is NOT policing the Communion line, that’s helping a fellow man. I am a bit surprised at the lack of concern for Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament by so many posters. I guess it really shouldn’t tho when they say so many Catholics no longer believe in The Real Presence anymore. Thank God your situation improved so and prayers for all. God Bless, Memaw

 

[trevblum650]

I wonder if anyone here realizes that NONE of us are worthy to recieve the Lord into our heart and soul through the Blessed Sacrament. It is by His loving gift of grace that we are able to do so- a free gift. However none of us can earn that priviledge by acts or merit. It is stated in the catechism (no time to link it here though I encourage anyone to “google it”) that those who are KNOWINGLY in a state of mortal sin should refrain from recieving the Eucharist until their next confession lest they be culpable of yet ANOTHER mortal sin. If it is their decision to commit this sin then so be it, the Lord will handle this in His own way. My Pastor’s stance on this is that it is not HIS decision who may or may not take the Blessed Sacrament and if HE as a PRIEST feels uncomfortable making that decision I would say that we lay people and unordained religious should simply let that individual we wonder about make his decision through his own personal judgement. God Bless.

 

[MtnDwellar]

I wonder if anyone here realizes that NONE of us are worthy to recieve the Lord into our heart and soul through the Blessed Sacrament.

I think we all used to realize that:

“Lord I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word and I shall be healed.”

Perhaps the new wording is less clear???

“Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.”

 

[Memaw]

I wonder if anyone here realizes that NONE of us are worthy to recieve the Lord into our heart and soul through the Blessed Sacrament. It is by His loving gift of grace that we are able to do so- a free gift. However none of us can earn that priviledge by acts or merit. It is stated in the catechism (no time to link it here though I encourage anyone to “google it”) that those who are KNOWINGLY in a state of mortal sin should refrain from recieving the Eucharist until their next confession lest they be culpable of yet ANOTHER mortal sin. If it is their decision to commit this sin then so be it, the Lord will handle this in His own way. My Pastor’s stance on this is that it is not HIS decision who may or may not take the Blessed Sacrament and if HE as a PRIEST feels uncomfortable making that decision I would say that we lay people and unordained religious should simply let that individual we wonder about make his decision through his own personal judgement. God Bless.

Did you ask him if he would give Communion to someone who is intoxicated. That man is defiantly not in the proper state to receive Our Lord. Doesn’t anyone think we should show greater respect for OUR LORD??? God Bless. Memaw

 

[nickybr38]

Hand sanitizer can sometimes smell heavily of alcohol if used in copious amounts. Unless he was also behaving in an obviously drunken fashion you have no way of knowing for certain if he was actually drunk.

This is a situation for the priest to handle (if he truly smelled so obviously the priest would have noticed as well) not for you.

Another poster mentioned a fellow who requested the wine only… that’s me. I’m allergic to gluten. The Body of Christ makes me ill… I asked my priest if I could receive just the wine and he looked at me like I was crazy and refused.

I only receive once every few months now. It’s sad too… God granted me the grace to receive his Blood (I’m allergic to the wine as well, but the Holy Spirit prompted me to receive it, so I did and did not have a reaction) but I react to the Body.

Anyway. You just CANNOT KNOW the truth behind these events and should never presume the worst.

 

[Oneofthewomen]

Another poster mentioned a fellow who requested the wine only… that’s me. I’m allergic to gluten. The Body of Christ makes me ill… I asked my priest if I could receive just the wine and he looked at me like I was crazy and refused.

Please go back and talk to your priest. There has to be a misunderstanding here.
I work for my diocese, and know many priests. I cannot imagine any one of them not doing anything/everything they could to ensure that those who struggle with gluten issues are somehow able to receive.

Here is a link to some good sisters, who make extremely low gluten communion wafers that are usually well tolerated by many with gluten issues. Hope it helps!

 

[jesuspsr]

Wow I thought that the church was made up of sinners. I know I am. I’m so glad that the church I go to invites the homeless and drunkards. Some of them that arnt catholic stay in the back till after mass, were they are fed behind the church.

If this man was or is an alcoholic at least for that hour that he was in church he stayed sober.

When I was going to class to be an EMHC to the sick we were told not to deny it to anyone, that we were not priest.

I don’t know what Im trying to say here, but I agree with everyone that support this man.

Good bless

jesus g

 

[Memaw]

Wow I thought that the church was made up of sinners. I know I am. I’m so glad that the church I go to invites the homeless and drunkards. Some of them that arnt catholic stay in the back till after mass, were they are fed behind the church.

If this man was or is an alcoholic at least for that hour that he was in church he stayed sober.

When I was going to class to be an EMHC to the sick we were told not to deny it to anyone, that we were not priest.

I don’t know what Im trying to say here, but I agree with everyone that support this man.

Good bless

jesus g

I support that man too but not in a way that isn’t helping him. I still think someone could have helped him before he ever got to the communion line. I talked to an older EMHC (and a long time Knight of Columbus member) and he totally agreed with me that some man should have stepped up to help the man. I took classes and used to be an EME years ago and they are not all what they should be at times. I think our EMHCs need some better instructions because I see them giving Communion to children that I know are not old enough but they just hold out one hand and it’s given to them, and also adults who do not hold their hands properly. It’s given any ole way. I have seen the host dropped several times because the hands were not held properly. Receiving Holy Communion is a Holy and Sacred privilege. Not to be abused or taken carelessly. The sooner Catholics realize that, the better off the whole Church will be. No wonder they say 80% of Catholics no longer believe in the REAL PRESENCE, when we seem to not care how OUR LORD is treated. God Bless, Memaw

 

[Thorns]

No one knows the struggle and life of this man.

Addictions and other factors can reduce culpability for a person and as others have said, it isnt our job to police the Eucharist.

 

[Memaw]

No one knows the struggle and life of this man.

Addictions and other factors can reduce culpability for a person and as others have said, it isnt our job to police the Eucharist.

Kinda like saying its none of our business what anyone else does. I didn’t say the man was fully culpable, that’s the problem, but those around him should have been. Maybe ‘protect’ the Eucharist is a better phrase. God Bless, Memaw

 

[jesuspsr]

I support that man too but not in a way that isn’t helping him. I still think someone could have helped him before he ever got to the communion line. I talked to an older EMHC (and a long time Knight of Columbus member) and he totally agreed with me that some man should have stepped up to help the man. I took classes and used to be an EME years ago and they are not all what they should be at times. I think our EMHCs need some better instructions because I see them giving Communion to children that I know are not old enough but they just hold out one hand and it’s given to them, and also adults who do not hold their hands properly. It’s given any ole way. I have seen the host dropped several times because the hands were not held properly. Receiving Holy Communion is a Holy and Sacred privilege. Not to be abused or taken carelessly. The sooner Catholics realize that, the better off the whole Church will be. No wonder they say 80% of Catholics no longer believe in the REAL PRESENCE, when we seem to not care how OUR LORD is treated. God Bless, Memaw

I’m also a member of the Knights of Columbus. Doesn’t make me an expert on the subject. I am drug and Alcohol Counselor thou, for a long time now, alcoholics are very sensitive people and this behavior would have probably make him drink more.

I say probably because I don’t know anything about him. Make no assumptions.
They need Love and Acceptance.

Good bless

jesus g

 

[Bruised_Reed]

I support that man too but not in a way that isn’t helping him. I still think someone could have helped him before he ever got to the communion line. I talked to an older EMHC (and a long time Knight of Columbus member) and he totally agreed with me that some man should have stepped up to help the man. I took classes and used to be an EME years ago and they are not all what they should be at times. I think our EMHCs need some better instructions because I see them giving Communion to children that I know are not old enough but they just hold out one hand and it’s given to them, and also adults who do not hold their hands properly. It’s given any ole way. I have seen the host dropped several times because the hands were not held properly. Receiving Holy Communion is a Holy and Sacred privilege. Not to be abused or taken carelessly. The sooner Catholics realize that, the better off the whole Church will be. No wonder they say 80% of Catholics no longer believe in the REAL PRESENCE, when we seem to not care how OUR LORD is treated. God Bless, Memaw

What you’re describing suggests that the whole parish needs training on Holy Communion and how to receive our Lord. EMHCs can’t manage all those situations and I wouldn’t want to be the one who refuses to give Communion to the child that is small for his age. How are they supposed to instruct those who are holding their hands incorrectly with their hands full?

There was some instruction when the changes to the Mass were made; perhaps the church needs to get back to the basics every now and again and focus on the teaching of the True Presence, Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity; priests need to talk about the Tabernacle, the altar, the monstrance, receiving holy communion and spending time in adoration (with and without exposition. And not just talk about the doctrines and formalities, but inspire love and adoration.

 

[JillianRose]

Actually, its none of your business who is in the Communion line and I even find it uncharitable that you turned around and gave him a stare. I wonder if you then became unworthy to receive!!!

I agree

 

[josie_L]

This thread has gone on way too long, i.e., if the poster was wrong than God will judge him for that, not you or I. God bless everyone including the OP.

 

[maryjk]

I support that man too but not in a way that isn’t helping him. I still think someone could have helped him before he ever got to the communion line. I talked to an older EMHC (and a long time Knight of Columbus member) and he totally agreed with me that some man should have stepped up to help the man. I took classes and used to be an EME years ago and they are not all what they should be at times. I think our EMHCs need some better instructions because I see them giving Communion to children that I know are not old enough but they just hold out one hand and it’s given to them, and also adults who do not hold their hands properly. It’s given any ole way. I have seen the host dropped several times because the hands were not held properly. Receiving Holy Communion is a Holy and Sacred privilege. Not to be abused or taken carelessly. The sooner Catholics realize that, the better off the whole Church will be. No wonder they say 80% of Catholics no longer believe in the REAL PRESENCE, when we seem to not care how OUR LORD is treated. God Bless, Memaw

How, exactly do you propose an EMHC do this? How do they give instructions to the communicant? Or do they just refuse anyone that isn’t holding their hands in the proper manor? What role does the pastor play in this education process?

What if someone doesn’t open their mouth all of the way? Should they refuse Communion to them too?

 

[Memaw]

I’m also a member of the Knights of Columbus. Doesn’t make me an expert on the subject. I am drug and Alcohol Counselor thou, for a long time now, alcoholics are very sensitive people and this behavior would have probably make him drink more.

I say probably because I don’t know anything about him. Make no assumptions.
They need Love and Acceptance.

Good bless

jesus g

And what about Our Lord, what does HE need?? I grew up with an alcoholic father and we needed love and acceptance too. There have been several alcoholics in my family and I and I have seen some of them quit drinking all together. Including my dad years after Mom divorced him. I became reacquainted with him years later and he told me a lot about how a drunk thinks. God Bless. Memaw

 

[Memaw]

What you’re describing suggests that the whole parish needs training on Holy Communion and how to receive our Lord. EMHCs can’t manage all those situations and I wouldn’t want to be the one who refuses to give Communion to the child that is small for his age. How are they supposed to instruct those who are holding their hands incorrectly with their hands full?

There was some instruction when the changes to the Mass were made; perhaps the church needs to get back to the basics every now and again and focus on the teaching of the True Presence, Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity; priests need to talk about the Tabernacle, the altar, the monstrance, receiving holy communion and spending time in adoration (with and without exposition. And not just talk about the doctrines and formalities, but inspire love and adoration.

An EMHC could ask the child or the parent behind the child, if they have made their First Holy Comm. I have seen an EMCH do that at times. Some parents don’t seem to care if the child is given Communion. I even saw a mother break hers and give part to her small child because he wanted some. Where is our respect for Our Lord? We seem to have left HIM out of the picture. I have even seen EMHCs let communicants dip their host in the Chalice. Seems since we lost the Communion Rail and we have poorly-trained EMHCs we have lost much respect for Our LORD and how HE is treated. I agree, we all need better training and the Priest should talk about all the things you mentioned above. But lets don’t forget they are all part of our Doctrines and formalities. God Bless, Memaw

 

[Gary_Sheldrake]

It happened during Mass a few days ago. The man reeked of alcohol. The only thing I did was turn around and give him a stare. Should have approached him after Mass but didn’t have the guts. He received Communion. Not to say that he was unworthy-- I don’t know the guy. However, its highly likely he shouldn’t have received given his intoxication. What would you do in this situation?

Good Morning Blaskoman: I think perhaps the person sitting in front of the intoxicated man came to mass to be with the Lord, yet didn’t know Him when he saw Him.

Thank you,
Gary

 

[maryjk]

An EMHC could ask the child or the parent behind the child, if they have made their First Holy Comm. I have seen an EMCH do that at times. Some parents don’t seem to care if the child is given Communion. I even saw a mother break hers and give part to her small child because he wanted some. Where is our respect for Our Lord? We seem to have left HIM out of the picture. I have even seen EMHCs let communicants dip their host in the Chalice. Seems since we lost the Communion Rail and we have poorly-trained EMHCs we have lost much respect for Our LORD and how HE is treated. I agree, we all need better training and the Priest should talk about all the things you mentioned above. But lets don’t forget they are all part of our Doctrines and formalities. God Bless, Memaw

How, exactly do you propose an EMHC do this? How do they give instructions to the communicant? Or do they just refuse anyone that isn’t holding their hands in the proper manor? What role does the pastor play in this education process?

What if someone doesn’t open their mouth all of the way? Should they refuse Communion to them too?

It is easy to stop someone from dipping the Host, simply cover the chalice.

But how do you stop someone from holding their hands “the wrong way?” And how precise do you want them to be?

And what do you do if they don’t listen? Is holding your hands the wrong way, a valid reason to deny someone Communion?