Is anyone changing the way they receive communion because of the swine flu?

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Miraluna

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I live in Texas and it seems that there were some reported cases in San Antonio…not too far from where I live. I know in Mexico the Church has asked people to receive communion in the hand (and I am sure no Chalice is being offered). I wonder if it would be prudent to receive in the hand and forgo the Chalice tomorrow, as a precaution or am I being paranoid? :eek:
 
Miraluna said:
I live in Texas and it seems that there were some reported cases in San Antonio…not too far from where I live. I know in Mexico the Church has asked people to receive communion in the hand (and I am sure no Chalice is being offered). I wonder if it would be prudent to receive in the hand and forgo the Chalice tomorrow, as a precaution or am I being paranoid? :eek:
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Yes, sharing the Chalice by everyone drinking from it could be a serious risk of spreading disease. Intinction, a valid and licit option for distribution of Holy Communion under both kinds eliminates this risk completely!

So if I understand right, the Mexican Bishops are asking for people only to receive in the hand so (I’m guessing), the Priest cannot accidentally touch the tongue and spread disease that way. Sounds somewhat reasonable. But, a sick person is very likely to cough into their hand and what then stops the Priest from accidentally touching the coughed on hand and spreading disease that way?
 
I’m interested to see if our priest says anything about it. When he has a cold he doesn’t give out the host, just has the eucharist ministers do it. So I know he is germ concious.
I think I will take the host only tomorrow, though.
Lord Jesus please protect all who come in contact with this virus and keep us safe. Help our govt. officials respond in a timely & sensible manner to this threat.
 
Miraluna said:
I live in Texas and it seems that there were some reported cases in San Antonio…not too far from where I live. I know in Mexico the Church has asked people to receive communion in the hand (and I am sure no Chalice is being offered). I wonder if it would be prudent to receive in the hand and forgo the Chalice tomorrow, as a precaution or am I being paranoid? :eek:
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No, I have always received on the tongue and rarily partake of the Chalice. I will continue to do this for as long as I draw breath.😉
 
I’m not too concerned about it. I’ve never gotten sick before, and I don’t think I would now. My husband made a profound statement the other day concerning spreading germs through communion…He said if you truly believe it’s the Body & Blood of Christ, why would you even be concerned about it?🙂
 
When we had an outbreak of meningitis a few years ago, the bishop suspended offering the Blood of Christ from the chalice until the danger was past. It is prudent. I certainly wouldn’t receive from the cup when there is an outbreak of a communicable disease. As it is, I rarely partake of the chalice unless I’m sitting in the first couple of rows…
 
AngelRose81 said:
I’m not too concerned about it. I’ve never gotten sick before, and I don’t think I would now. My husband made a profound statement the other day concerning spreading germs through communion…He said if you truly believe it’s the Body & Blood of Christ, why would you even be concerned about it?🙂
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Because only the substance is changed, not the ‘accidents’ . and it could be those which carry and spread germs.

Transubstantiation doesn’t mean that the accidents of the original bread and wine disappear.
 
I work in a microbiology lab.

I think we should trust and obey our Church. If Holy Mother Church asks us to receive Holy Communion in the hand, we should obey. Vice versa.

However, I think we are in less danger from receiving Holy Communion then we are from other unhealthy practices.

The best way to protect ourselves from viral infections is to practice a healthy lifestyle.

1. Frequent handwashing with soap.
2. Sleep, at least 7-8 hours a day.
3. Healthy balanced diet
4. 8 glasses of water or other fluids daily.
5. Don’t abuse alcohol–stay sober.
6. De-stressing.
7. Exercise, outside if possible.
8. Sneezing or coughing into a tissue, and throw the tissue away.
9. No street drugs.
10.Keep up with doctor and dentist appointments.

Even doing these things is no guarantee of health. Health is a gift, and it is often snatched away even from a healthy-living person.

Again, I say that if our Church tells us to do something, or not to do something, we should trust and obey.
 
The decision of whether to receive the Blood of Christ is a difficult one considering the risk of contracting a disease.

Here is a thought to ponder. At as session of the mass in slow motion at our parish several years ago, the question of the transference of disease in the sharing of the blood was brought up. The priest said “Why would God allow us to get sick from receiving the body and blood of Christ? He protects those who receive Him in faith.” The priest shared with us that he has been to Africa many times and has shared the cup with AIDS patients and has not been infected with the AIDS virus.
 
I don’t receive the host on my tongue any more and haven’t since a super nasty flu came through years ago and the diocese forbade it, taking of the blood and touching during the sign of peace.

My bet is the Diocese will put those prohibitions in place again soon.

I don’t think God does stupid well, and wants us to take care of ourselves 😉
 
EnJoyslife said:
The decision of whether to receive the Blood of Christ is a difficult one considering the risk of contracting a disease.

Here is a thought to ponder. At as session of the mass in slow motion at our parish several years ago, the question of the transference of disease in the sharing of the blood was brought up. The priest said “Why would God allow us to get sick from receiving the body and blood of Christ? He protects those who receive Him in faith.” The priest shared with us that he has been to Africa many times and has shared the cup with AIDS patients and has not been infected with the AIDS virus.
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I would not expect him to be. AIDS is not spread this way. AIDS is spread through bodily fluid and the sharing thereof.

Common sense, people. Common sense.
 
If the flu hits the Dallas area, I may receive Communion less often than I do now. I’d rather do that than receive in the hand. But I understand why the Mexican Bishops called for that. It has potentially less of a chance to spread it. Good for them for looking out for their flock.
 
***I am a serious germaphobe, but you know, this might sound odd…but, I prayed about receiving the Precious Blood years ago, and through prayer, and a feeling that God was speaking to me…said that I would never fall ill from taking His Precious Blood. It is Divine, and not like sharing a water bottle with someone, or a fork…it is supernatural. I have been drinking from the Chalice for years now, and have never fallen sick…neither has my dd or husband. My son doesn’t want to drink from the Chalice, his choice.

I know that might sound out there, but I believe that the Precious Blood is protected by God, so we shouldn’t fear drinking from it. 🤷

Just my two cents. :o***
 
Miraluna said:
I live in Texas and it seems that there were some reported cases in San Antonio…not too far from where I live. I know in Mexico the Church has asked people to receive communion in the hand (and I am sure no Chalice is being offered). I wonder if it would be prudent to receive in the hand and forgo the Chalice tomorrow, as a precaution or am I being paranoid? :eek:
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I am currently in Mexico and the Chalice was not on option. I think it owuld be wise to abstain from it during the outbreak, however.
 
We don’t have to drink from the Chalice, but I’m just adding as to why I personally do, and am not fearful of illnesses. Not suggesting you should or shouldn’t…completely your choice! 🙂
 
Logically, receiving on the tongue could be made significantly less likely to transmit illness than receiving in the hand. Imagine all the things you’ve touched–including your neighbor’s hand during the peace–before you take the host in it. How much clean would it be for the priest to simply disinfect his hands prior to the mass and use a small amount of non-water cleaner if he accidentally touches someone’s tongue?

Not being a canon lawyer, I have no idea if some Purell during the distribution of the consecrated host is licit, but I’m throwing the idea out for discussion.

Paul
 
whatevergirl said:
***I am a serious germaphobe, but you know, this might sound odd…but, I prayed about receiving the Precious Blood years ago, and through prayer, and a feeling that God was speaking to me…said that I would never fall ill from taking His Precious Blood. It is Divine, and not like sharing a water bottle with someone, or a fork…it is supernatural. I have been drinking from the Chalice for years now, and have never fallen sick…neither has my dd or husband. My son doesn’t want to drink from the Chalice, his choice.

I know that might sound out there, but I believe that the Precious Blood is protected by God, so we shouldn’t fear drinking from it. 🤷

Just my two cents. :o***
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Does not sound out there…your personal revelation sounds beautiful.
 
AngelRose81 said:
I’m not too concerned about it. I’ve never gotten sick before, and I don’t think I would now. My husband made a profound statement the other day concerning spreading germs through communion…He said if you truly believe it’s the Body & Blood of Christ, why would you even be concerned about it?🙂
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Exactly!! Haven’t even given it a thought in the past, and have received both the Precious Body and Blood.

Now, if they don’t offer, obviously I wouldn’t be able to do that, just read recently that the Cathedral in Downtown Mexico can’t have Mass, the government has people standing there warning people, it said that groups of people with mask on were still going in to pray. I think I read it on a cnn website.

Not having Mass is really sad and to me much worse than the thought of possibility getting the swine flu.
 
Miraluna said:
I live in Texas and it seems that there were some reported cases in San Antonio…not too far from where I live. I know in Mexico the Church has asked people to receive communion in the hand (and I am sure no Chalice is being offered). I wonder if it would be prudent to receive in the hand and forgo the Chalice tomorrow, as a precaution or am I being paranoid? :eek:
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I think it is wise…I have been leery of the chalice for sometime …that cloth might be spreading more germs than eliminating them, by smearing them around
 
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