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

[Jenny_Z]

***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. ***

I know your intentions are good here, but I think it’s dangerous for people to assume this. Yes, the Body and Blood is holy and precious, but you can’t assume that it’s impossible to get sick from the chalice. I would hope that you abstain from the precious blood on days that you are feeling ill, for the sake of the other parishioners.

 

[whatevergirl]

I know your intentions are good here, but I think it’s dangerous for people to assume this. Yes, the Body and Blood is holy and precious, but you can’t assume that it’s impossible to get sick from the chalice. I would hope that you abstain from the precious blood on days that you are feeling ill, for the sake of the other parishioners.

***I actually do abstain, when I have not been well. I never said people should assume this (that there is no chance of getting sick) because of what I’ve shared…I’m merely sharing something that was personal to me, and what I have come to believe. Sorry if that wasn’t made plain. The truth is though, on any given Sunday…someone is drinking from it, who I have seen coughing, sneezing, blowing his/her nose…so, the reality is that each and every person who drinks from it every week…is not illness free. ***

 

[Ganyssa]

I’ll look for their name and if anyone else finds it, post it here.
We could ask his intercession in this.

Lord, have mercy on us and on the whole world.

Bernardo Tolomei, a nearly blind monk who founded the Benedictine Congregation of Santa Maria di Monte Oliveto in the 1340s. He died in 1348 along with 82 of his monks after leaving the safety of his monastery to tend to plague victims in Siena.

news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090426/ap_on_re_eu/eu_vatican_saints

 

[benedictgal]

Apart from estesbob, I am probably a lot closer to Mexico than the OP is since it’s just a few yards away from my backyard. In other words, Laredo sits on the Texas side of the Rio Grande across from Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico. We have not heard of any outbreaks in Nuevo Laredo, only in Tijuana and Mexico Citiy, both of which are considerable distances from our little corner of the border. Interestingly enough, the two outbreaks in Texas are nowhere near the border; in fact, they are confined to the San Antonio area.

To my knowledge, our bishop has not made a statement regarding the manner of receiving Holy Communion. I won’t refrain from receiving Our Lord on the tongue. When the Precious Blood is offered, I will receive, unless I have a cold or have just taken migraine medication. The exchange of the sign of peace probably is more of a risk than receiving Holy Communion on the tongue because (and I do not want to sound uncharitable), you don’t know where your pewmates have been or whether or not they are ill. I’ve seen people sneeze into their hands and then offer those same hands for the sign of peace.

As Cat indicated, prevention is the best medicine. Use antibacterial soap and Purell (or some other antibacterial lotion).

 

[allhers]

Bernardo Tolomei, a nearly blind monk who founded the Benedictine Congregation of Santa Maria di Monte Oliveto in the 1340s. He died in 1348 along with 82 of his monks after leaving the safety of his monastery to tend to plague victims in Siena.

news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090426/ap_on_re_eu/eu_vatican_saints

Thank you, it also said this:
Benedict praised his dedication, saying he died “as an authentic martyr of charity.”

In any case, we could ask his intercession now. St. Bernardo Tolomei, pray for us.

(As a side note, I didn’t change how I received today either, still on the tongue and received the Precious Blood too. I don’t worry about this kind of stuff either but, if, during times of really bad flu outbreaks we were asked not to, or to refrain or something, I’d obey.

I also agree with those who think that shaking hands is worse than receiving on the tongue, or sharing the Chalice. I agree with whatevergirl, it has NEVER made me sick. She, like me, probably really believes that it is indeed the Precious Body and Blood of our Lord. Nothing to fear with HIM.)

Now, please don’t anyone get all over me saying that you believe too and that I am insulting you or something, I didn’ mean it* that* way, I just meant that I, me, myself DO NOT worry about that because I believe its the Lord Himself and that He wouldn’t make me sick, thats all. I also believe that IF I did get ill that it would be HIS allowing will and that it would more than likely be from the handshake.

 

[whatevergirl]

Thank you, it also said this:
Benedict praised his dedication, saying he died “as an authentic martyr of charity.”

In any case, we could ask his intercession now. St. Bernardo Tolomei, pray for us.

(As a side note, I didn’t change how I received today either, still on the tongue and received the Precious Blood too. I don’t worry about this kind of stuff either but, if, during times of really bad flu outbreaks we were asked not to, or to refrain or something, I’d obey.

I also agree with those who think that shaking hands is worse than receiving on the tongue, or sharing the Chalice. I agree with whatevergirl, it has NEVER made me sick. She, like me, probably really believes that it is indeed the Precious Body and Blood of our Lord. Nothing to fear with HIM.)

Now, please don’t anyone get all over me saying that you believe too and that I am insulting you or something, I didn’ mean it* that* way, I just meant that I, me, myself DO NOT worry about that because I believe its the Lord Himself and that He wouldn’t make me sick, thats all. I also believe that IF I did get ill that it would be HIS allowing will and that it would more than likely be from the handshake.

***Yes, I didn’t mean to imply anything up above with my earlier post…this is how I meant it. Thank you for perhaps wording it a bit better than me. I will admit, since reading through this thread, I’m concerned…and had a fleeting thought about not taking of the Chalice anymore, but I really felt God’s presence many years ago tell me when I prayed, that I would never get sick. (This was at a time when I was fearful of receiving the Precious Blood, as I have been a long time germaphobe, borderline OCD at times with it) So…for me, it has always been so beautifully reassuring, I remember God speaking to me through prayer that day.

By no means am I suggesting that others receive or not receive…I am just simply sharing what I have come to believe – and I feel that if I don’t receive now because of my ‘fears,’ that I am telling God, I don’t trust Him. Not saying you all don’t trust Him, but I can’t explain this, but I just have never forgotten that day, or took it lightly, when I felt His presence in my prayers assure me I would never get sick. I mean, I was not receiving, I would not have come up with that on my own–a germaphobic woman who doesn’t even share her straw with her own husband!

I’m praying for everyone here, that no one will be touched by this, directly or indirectly. This is still so scary, all these diseases, and things we have to be concerned with nowadays. ***

 

[Pug]

***The truth is though, on any given Sunday…someone is drinking from it, who I have seen coughing, sneezing, blowing his/her nose…so, the reality is that each and every person who drinks from it every week…is not illness free. ***

It doesn’t really matter how the other people appear. A person who has caught the flu or a cold may not appear sick and yet still be contagious. If I recall, there is a window when they are contagious *before *they experience any symptoms. Not feeling sick is no guarantee that one is not contagious. For example, if you come down with the flu on Monday, I assume that could indicate that you were potentially contagious during Sunday mass.

 

[whatevergirl]

It doesn’t really matter how the other people appear. A person who has caught the flu or a cold may not appear sick and yet still be contagious. If I recall, there is a window when they are contagious *before *they experience any symptoms. Not feeling sick is no guarantee that one is not contagious. For example, if you come down with the flu on Monday, I assume that could indicate that you were potentially contagious during Sunday mass.

---

I never said that someone *has to appear ****sick to be sick…I’m saying that I have noticed people who are clearly sick drinking from the Chalice, and it doesn’t seem to cause others to not drink after them.

If you choose to not receive the Precious Blood it is up to you. I feel a little differently on the subject, that’s all. I am not sure how I might handle this for the time being, but I plan to pray a lot about it.

Thank you for starting this thread, OP-- not reading this here, I might not have known the severity of the situation.

 

[Cleo_K]

Ill be sure to pass that on to Padre tomorrow morning. I am sure he will be interested on how those from the United States critique his Mass.

Please note… one person does not make a representative sample… “those from the United States” should be changed to “one from the United States”, unless fairness isn’t the name of your game.

 

[Pug]

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I never said that someone *has to appear ****sick to be sick…I’m saying that I have noticed people who are clearly sick drinking from the Chalice, and it doesn’t seem to cause others to not drink after them.

If you choose to not receive the Precious Blood it is up to you. I feel a little differently on the subject, that’s all. I am not sure how I might handle this for the time being, but I plan to pray a lot about it.

Thank you for starting this thread, OP-- not reading this here, I might not have known the severity of the situation.

I second this last point. The only reason I now know about “swine flu” is because I saw this thread. I had no idea about it before.

I get your point now, I think. You mean that some people don’t seem to care if the people in front of them have coughed. (for the Precious Blood). I agree, coughing, sneezing, and nose blowing are often ignored by people. Both of us ignore it, for example. Like you, I don’t know what I’d do if I thought the people in front of me had a serious, highly contagious disease, though.

 

[Fergal]

Yesterday’s? April 27 th? I realize you are in Ireland, but here in America it is April 26 th so for us, yesterday’s readings would be April 25 th.

Here is a link to EWTN’s daily Mass readings for April, which one’s do you want us to read?

ewtn.com/devotionals/inspiration.htm

Yeah April 25th! If you look at both readings Peter’s letter followed by the Gospel, the answer is very clear!!

 

[benedictgal]

Well, it was only a matter of time until the swine flu bug hit Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico. So far, there are two confirmed cases of swine flu and one hospitalization. Nuevo Laredo lies across the border from Laredo, Texas. Our Catholic schools are already making preparations and taking a lot of precautions because quite a few of our students come from Nuevo Laredo.

I do not know if the bishop will be amending the manner in which Holy Communion is to be distributed. Of course, this is also coming at a time when many of our children will be receiving First Holy Communion.

 

[tobinatorstark]

I have not changed the way I receive communion because of this swine flu that is going around. I switched from receiving by hand to tongue in January because that was a calling I got.

 

[Jenny_Z]

Well, the death toll in Mexico is up to 149. There are rumors that the Mexican government is suppressing numbers, but they’re just rumors right now.

My prayers are with those people affected, and with the folks who are trying to fix this mess.

 

[RazzsMom]

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.

I agree - I am an RN and I work sometimes with Infection Control. This information is absolutely what people need to be doing.

I will add one thing ----- If you are sick STAY HOME. Stay home from work, shopping and yes, even Church.

 

[RazzsMom]

BTW: I live in Ohio and we just had a confirmed case of swine flu here.

I do think it is a very personal decision about the way one receives the Holy Eucharist. In our RCIA group (I am a Team Leader) one of the inquirers asked this very type of question to our priest (educated in Rome). He said it is not necessary to receive from both species to have received Christ. (I assume most of you here knew that, but I state it just in case.) And that if one has serious “phobias” about drinking from one chalice, then just receive the Body. He did caution us about being overly phobic - and that if that was so, perhaps you see the phobia in other areas of your life in addition to Church, then you may want to seek medical help! Maybe he was joking?? or maybe not!

whatevergirl…your thoughts echoed my own beliefs in this matter perfectly.

 

[JMJ_coder]

BTW: I live in Ohio and we just had a confirmed case of swine flu here.

Yeah, I saw that in the paper this morning. A 9-year-old who lives about an hour away from me.

I saw in Zenit that the Archbishop canceled all Masses Sunday in Mexico City. Not just that attendance wasn’t mandatory, but there was no Mass period! I’m sure he had the best of intentions, but I have to disagree with Archbishop on this one.

First of all, I don’t think that this outbreak is all that bad yet. There have been several dozen deaths (and that is tragic), but this is so far mostly a panicking game. Everyone is terrified of what could be! They keep comparing this to the killer of 1918, but not only has there only been a fraction of the cases so far (1/10000th or 0.0001%), but the fatality rate is much lower so far also.

Thus, I don’t think it was necessary to cancel Mass. But, even if this was as bad as 1918 (or if it gets that bad) – if I knew I was going to die from this, guess what I want for my last meal.

 

[Miraluna]

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I never said that someone *has to appear ****sick to be sick…I’m saying that I have noticed people who are clearly sick drinking from the Chalice, and it doesn’t seem to cause others to not drink after them.

If you choose to not receive the Precious Blood it is up to you. I feel a little differently on the subject, that’s all. I am not sure how I might handle this for the time being, but I plan to pray a lot about it.

Thank you for starting this thread, OP-- not reading this here, I might not have known the severity of the situation.

Taking it to prayer…we should. I partook in the chalice on Sunday and today. And I received on the tongue. But that may change in a few days. I have to say…it may sound strange but I am not afraid of death. The more I have fallen in love with Christ the less time I feel I want to spend on earth. But I have a wonderful husband and 2 boys that are such a gift from God (and I would love to have more children). I know God wants me alive and well to care for all of them…and I want to fulfill that vocation…so I think I need to be prudent. I just hope that I am graced with wisdom and hear and follow that prudence, that God has given me. Like, you, I am not advocating one way or another. I posted this to see what others have to say because maybe wisdom is considering what others are doing and why. I have learned much from CAF - some people here are really wise!

 

[estesbob]

Schools down here(Southern Mexico) closed until may 6. Today for the first time I same people wearing masks

 

[redrosetea]

Schools down here(Southern Mexico) closed until may 6. Today for the first time I same people wearing masks

I am praying for all of those involved in this epidemic, and I am going to offer prayers at Lourdes on line to protect all that are ill, and to keep it from spreading

I feel very sorry for everyone. I have dear Mexican friends , and I know this is a terrible worry for them