Is wine at church optional?

[lizaanne]

There is wine at my Church you can either drink out of the cup or have the priest dip the host in the wine.

Surely you mean “there is the Blood of Christ at my Church” - it’s not wine when you are receiving it.

“Dipping” is called intinction - only the priest has the authority to distribute Holy Communion in this manner.

~Liza

 

[catsrus]

Our priest withheld The Precious Blood during this past winter becuase of the flu outbreak. Also, we were not shaking hands before the Our Father. Though the congregation was not offered the Precious Blood at this time, the priest did consecrate the wine.

 

[Elizium23]

Our priest withheld The Precious Blood during this past winter becuase of the flu outbreak. Also, we were not shaking hands before the Our Father.

I would hope that nobody shook hands before the Our Father, because the Sign of Peace comes after it! (And, it’s optional!)

 

[JerrySeibert]

First forgive me for pouring gas onto a fire. I was under the impression forums were to give opinions as well as Instruction. To attempt to explain my post line by line.
Originally Posted by JerrySeibert
I would talk to your Priest. Why do they not offer both? Money? Then tell the Congregation if it is important to them, they will find a way to support the Parish. I won’t attend a Mass that only offers Eucharist. At the last supper Jesus did not keep the Chalice to himself.
Why do they not offer both (Species)? Money?
I was an altar server and we did not offer both for specifically that fact. I was there when someone asked the Priest. His answer was simply, Money.
He then went to the Congregation and announced the amount the offering would need to increase weekly to offer this to the entire Congregation.
Later, the same Priest (who is no longer a Priest) was gone. And the books did not balance. So the entire time he held back, the money was there.
I fully understand that the CCC explains if one takes under either species that, due to the Co-mingling that one has fully recieved all of Christ, both Body and Blood.
Porthos; your comment may be true. Possibly we do need more forceful catechesis. Where would that begin?
Choy, PuzzleAnnie I have commented with both of you on many forums in regard to the disregard of respect for Eucharist.
I would die for my faith. GLADLY. My intention was to share what I feel. I enjoy the traditional Mass where both species are offered. Not that I feel it is wrong to only have one. I choose to find a Parish where both are offered. Because it seems traditional if you will. That was the posting “I won’t attend a Parish that only offers Eucharist”, allow me to rephrase. I choose not to be a member of a Parish that only offers Eucharist. As, we all may have found ourselves in a Church on vacation or traveling for work and that Parish only offers “The body”.
But, if I were transfered to an area and none of them offered the Precious Blood. I can assure you I would still attend Mass.

 

[porthos11]

I would talk to your Priest. Why do they not offer both? Money? Then tell the Congregation if it is important to them, they will find a way to support the Parish. I won’t attend a Mass that only offers Eucharist. At the last supper Jesus did not keep the Chalice to himself.
Why do they not offer both (Species)? Money?

Because offering under both species is not a right, but an option, albeit a fuller symbol.
I fully understand that the CCC explains if one takes under either species that, due to the Co-mingling that one has fully recieved all of Christ, both Body and Blood.

It is not due to the comingling, but due to the fact that the Lord is alive fully in both the Body and Blood.

Porthos; your comment may be true. Possibly we do need more forceful catechesis. Where would that begin?

I’d start by having the whole Latin church withhold the cup from the faithful again.

 

[Corki]

I would die for my faith. GLADLY. My intention was to share what I feel. I enjoy the traditional Mass where both species are offered. Not that I feel it is wrong to only have one. I choose to find a Parish where both are offered. Because it seems traditional if you will. That was the posting “I won’t attend a Parish that only offers Eucharist”, allow me to rephrase. I choose not to be a member of a Parish that only offers Eucharist. As, we all may have found ourselves in a Church on vacation or traveling for work and that Parish only offers “The body”.
But, if I were transfered to an area and none of them offered the Precious Blood. I can assure you I would still attend Mass.

Interesting observation. The more traditional parishes are the ones that are less likely to offer the Precious Blood to the whole congregation.

 

[JerrySeibert]

Interesting observation. The more traditional parishes are the ones that are less likely to offer the Precious Blood to the whole congregation.

My definition of traditional is, the way it has been my entire life. Until I moved to a Metropolitan area both species offered at Mass was all I had ever know.
All of the Rural Parishes in Southern Kentucky I have ever attended offer both. So in Cincinnati they did not which seemed odd to me being accustomed to me. I had to learn it was not “Incorrect” because at the time I fealt it was.
Sorry for the confusion.

 

[FrCorey]

A long long time ago they tryed beer instead,
but father would not change it into his blood.
I guess beer is not as pure as he would like it.

 

[benedictgal]

My definition of traditional is, the way it has been my entire life. Until I moved to a Metropolitan area both species offered at Mass was all I had ever know.
All of the Rural Parishes in Southern Kentucky I have ever attended offer both. So in Cincinnati they did not which seemed odd to me being accustomed to me. I had to learn it was not “Incorrect” because at the time I fealt it was.
Sorry for the confusion.

However, we need to look at the Church’s tradition and not confuse that with our own individual preferences. Do you really believe that you are receiving less because you do not receive under both species? Inasmuch as you cited the Catechism, with all due respect, that does not jibe with your explanation, let alone your reasoning.

No one is cheated if they do not receive the Precious Blood. Furthermore, even if someone were to take to heart your suggestion to write to the CDWDS regarding not being able to receive under both species, the same Congregation would point out that there are cases when, indeed, the Precious Blood can be withheld.

 

[JerrySeibert]

However, we need to look at the Church’s tradition and not confuse that with our own individual preferences. Do you really believe that you are receiving less because you do not receive under both species? Inasmuch as you cited the Catechism, with all due respect, that does not jibe with your explanation, let alone your reasoning.

No one is cheated if they do not receive the Precious Blood. Furthermore, even if someone were to take to heart your suggestion to write to the CDWDS regarding not being able to receive under both species, the same Congregation would point out that there are cases when, indeed, the Precious Blood can be withheld.

Very well then, to attempt to explain myself, again. If one was brought up and a certain way they observed things being done was all they had known, is it not possible that, that person could believe that it is custom? That is my case, noone ever told me that you could take Communion under either species. I had to find that out on my own. And to say my answer does not ‘jibe’ well, sorry. I gave my explanation. I’m sorry that I have attempted to explain my reasoning and I continually see another post from someone who interprets my meaning. Or, yet again fires off a posting with, what they feel is my implied meaning.
You want my reasoning, I have given that. It is all I have ever known and took it to be true. If given a choice would you not choose what you prefer. Is that alone incorrect according to the Church? Because both options, are available, only Body, only Blood or both Species. I am astonished as to why this is just a ‘controversy’. I did my homework I quoted the CCC. And yet, some still choose to post on what they “Think” I meant.
You want my apology. I’m sorry. I chose my words poorly when I made my original posting. I’m sorry. I gave my opinion (To what I prefer) I’m sorry. That I shared a real life story and everyone seems to think is a Blasphemy. (Yes, I was a 10 year old altar server and I heard a Priest say, “If we get more money in collection we will be able to afford wine for the entire Congregation”). I’m sorry that I am not as well versed as some of you on these forums I am man enough to admit I was wrong.
And humble enough to realize that I still have much to learn and until this event found it very enjoyable to use this site as a way to learn more about my faith. And have found many great resources here that allow me to do so.
Now, will you be Christian enough to forgive me?

 

[benedictgal]

Very well then, to attempt to explain myself, again. If one was brought up and a certain way they observed things being done was all they had known, is it not possible that, that person could believe that it is custom? That is my case, noone ever told me that you could take Communion under either species. I had to find that out on my own. And to say my answer does not ‘jibe’ well, sorry. I gave my explanation. I’m sorry that I have attempted to explain my reasoning and I continually see another post from someone who interprets my meaning. Or, yet again fires off a posting with, what they feel is my implied meaning.
You want my reasoning, I have given that. It is all I have ever known and took it to be true. If given a choice would you not choose what you prefer. Is that alone incorrect according to the Church? Because both options, are available, only Body, only Blood or both Species. I am astonished as to why this is just a ‘controversy’. I did my homework I quoted the CCC. And yet, some still choose to post on what they “Think” I meant.
You want my apology. I’m sorry. I chose my words poorly when I made my original posting. I’m sorry. I gave my opinion (To what I prefer) I’m sorry. That I shared a real life story and everyone seems to think is a Blasphemy. (Yes, I was a 10 year old altar server and I heard a Priest say, “If we get more money in collection we will be able to afford wine for the entire Congregation”). I’m sorry that I am not as well versed as some of you on these forums I am man enough to admit I was wrong.
And humble enough to realize that I still have much to learn and until this event found it very enjoyable to use this site as a way to learn more about my faith. And have found many great resources here that allow me to do so.
Now, will you be Christian enough to forgive me?

Jerry, no one is upset with you. I think we have been trying to help you clarify things. The problem with your original reply and the subsequent follow-up is that it really does not take, as I read it, the Church’s complete position into consideration. Christ is present fully, wholly and completely in either species. Inasmuch as receiving (we receive, we don’t take) Holy Communion under both species constitutes a fuller sign, it is not required. If we were to hold to your position about only wanting to go where both species are provided, then, I am afraid that you would rule out assisting at a Papal Mass because the faithful are not giving Holy Communion under both forms.

That the priest said what he said is lamentable. But, Jerry, at some point, we need to move on past that. It takes more than “money”. It takes the proper vessels and the correct and true catechesis of the faithful. While it takes money to purchase the suitable vessels, it also takes training, and a lot of it. There are many parishes in my diocese that do not offer Holy Communion under both species.

 

[mellowcalico]

The size of the parish might come into play as well when considering Holy Communion.

My mother’s Church offers both–but it’s a small parish and they only need 4 people (2 at the alter and two to the sides).

My church is much larger. We would need 16 people to be able to do both Body and Blood. I am not even sure where they could all stand.

They odd thing is, I grew up and never saw the Precious Blood offered until my parents moved to a more rural area where there was a smaller Church. So I don’t even know “how” to receive it. I tried once, but I think I did it wrong (I didn’t know I was supposed to take the chalice in my hands).

 

[Tietjen]

They odd thing is, I grew up and never saw the Precious Blood offered until my parents moved to a more rural area where there was a smaller Church. So I don’t even know “how” to receive it. I tried once, but I think I did it wrong (I didn’t know I was supposed to take the chalice in my hands).

You too huh? I was an adult before I saw the Precious Blood offered at mass, and had the same experience. :blushing: