Long fingernails

[Larowyn]

Is it all right for an Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist to have long, painted fingernails? I visited the diocesan cathedral for a Mass and there was a woman with long pink fingernails distributing Communion. I didn’t realize that she had them until she placed the host on my tongue and her fingernails grazed it. I don’t often feel nauseated after receiving Communion, but I sure did that time.

 

[japhy]

Is it all right for an Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist to have long, painted fingernails?

If anything, it’s a matter for the pastor to regulate. If I were a pastor, I would not approve of them. But there’s nothing written on the subject that I know of.

Now, would somebody get this freakin’ duck away from me?

 

[NPC]

Like Japhy, I am not aware of a document dealing with Extraordinary Ministers with long painted fingernails. However, I cannot believe that it would be acceptable for an EMHC to have long, varnished nails - as far as I can see there are at least two obvious reasons why: 1. It is certainly not hygienic for one with unusually long nails to be putting them near ones mouth for the distribution of Holy Communion, and 2. I imagine that having such long nails increases the risk of the EMHC dropping the Body of Christ… I personally think you have legitimate concerns here for the reasons I have given at least, and you could consider asking the priest about it, if this is how she normally presents herself. Also, do you know of any other people who were put off by this? If so, it could make for a stronger case!

 

[kms123]

Is it all right for an Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist to have long, painted fingernails? I visited the diocesan cathedral for a Mass and there was a woman with long pink fingernails distributing Communion. I didn’t realize that she had them until she placed the host on my tongue and her fingernails grazed it. I don’t often feel nauseated after receiving Communion, but I sure did that time.

EEWE! I hate long nails, especially fake ones. And they harbor germs.

yuck. I would speak to pastor for sure.

(ewe, ewe, ewe)

 

[Larowyn]

I don’t really feel right complaining about someone at another parish. If it was my parish I’d speak anonymously to the priest.

 

[lizaanne]

EEWE! I hate long nails, especially fake ones. And they harbor germs.

yuck. I would speak to pastor for sure.

(ewe, ewe, ewe)

Totally agree!!!

Yet another reason to do away with EMHCs. Icky-icky-icky.

There was a woman at a previous parish I belonged to who would have SOOOO much perfume on her hands that Jesus would taste like it!!! Totally nauseating.

~Liza

 

[japhy]

I don’t really feel right complaining about someone at another parish. If it was my parish I’d speak anonymously to the priest.

How?!

You have a greater ability to speak anonymously at another parish.

 

[Cat]

Long fingernails and artifical fingernails are banned at the hospital where I work. There are studies demonstrating that they are reservoirs for various microorganisms.

I think there are good medical reasons for a parish priest to require EMHCs to keep their fingernails short.

 

[lizaanne]

I think there are good medical reasons for a parish priest to require EMHCs to keep their fingernails short.

Short and REAL!!!

~Liza

 

[drafdog]

[Edited] We already have enough rules without adding “millimeters of nail length past the finger tip.”

Matthew

 

[Larowyn]

If it freaks you out that much, receive in the hand. We already have enough rules without adding “millimeters of nail length past the finger tip.”

Matthew

[Edited] and the woman’s fingernails were more than a few millimeters long.

 

[kage_ar]

Communion should be received on the tongue and the woman’s fingernails were more than a few millimeters long.

Communion should be recieved with reverence, the options for the Latin Rite in the US are in the hand or on the tongue. This can turn in to a bru-ha-ha you know. The wise thing is to defer to what the Church says in the matter.