Medication and receiving the Precious Blood

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veilofveronica

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Greetings all,

This is certainly going to be something I would ask a pharmacist (I might get odd looks, but oh well. ;)) I’m on a medication that I absolutely cannot take alcohol with. As a result, I have been receiving the Body of Christ in Communion via the Sacred Host alone, not taking the Cup of Precious Blood. I know that I am receiving Christ fully within the Eucharist, I’m just curious if others are in this situation too and what you do,

Do any of you receive the Precious Blood in the Cup that are on meds that say no alcohol? My family says I’m being paranoid as it’s such a small amount of alcohol, it likely wouldn’t matter.

Ideas?
 
When the congregation receiving from the chalice was first introduced in our diocese, sacristans were told to allow roughly 5 mil. per person when preparing the altar.

This fact might help you when you ask the pharmacist. In fact, why not try sipping from a measuring spoon the same way you receive from the chalice? It might surprise you how little you take, compared with gulping a cold drink on a hot day, for instance.

Not that I am saying that you should disregard any medical advice! It’s just that knowing the quantity involved would probably help the pharmacist to advise you. Also, check with the sacristan what the alcohol content is. (it will be on the label, or online via the supplier’s website).
 
You are receiving Christ fully, body, blood, soul, and divinity in the Host.

I don’t understand why you would want to risk ingesting alcohol, which is forbidden for you, when you don’t have to.
 
I suppose I would ask why no alcohol? What are the particular interactions between the drugs and alcohol that are of concern? Is it the possibility of organs beginning to shut down or is it a case of potential temporary impairment while walking or driving?

If you really want to receive the Precious Blood I would ask your doctor what the possible side effects are and make clear you are not having more than an ounce or two of the Precious Blood. The alcohol warnings may be meant not to consume large quantities of alcohol on a regular basis.

At my parish we only receive the Body of Christ so I suppose it isn’t much of an issue for me.

ChadS
 
I would definitely just receive Jesus under the appearances of bread. 🙂
 
The alcohol content fro Altar wine may not exceed 18%.
Here’s a good article regarding altar wine: ewtn.com/library/Liturgy/zlitur255.htm
When we take a “sip” I doubt the amount is going to impact us in any way.
This question sounds a bit scrupulous, frankly.
One can receive the Body only. You just reverence the Precious Blood as you walk past it.
No big deal.
We make our own lives a bit harder than necessary sometimes. 😉
Christ won’t put your life in danger with His Precious Blood. At least I don’t believe so.
:twocents:
God bless.
 
Jerusha said:
I often just wet my lip.
Click to expand...
I help prepare our First Communicants for 1st HC. When discussing receiving the PB, many are nervous about tasting. I give them the suggestion of keeping their lips together and allowing a 1/2 drop to remain on their upper lip - then lick it off.
 
Not even an ounce or two - an ounce is 30ml. A sip is 5ml, if you only “wet your lips” that’s probably 1-2ml.
 
I would ask the doctor or the pharmacist if you want to be absolutely certain. But it’s unlikely to be harmful (and the reasons could differ - if it’s an issue of impairment vs. blood poisoning or making the medication not work…these could all be reasons it’s recommended to not drink.)
 
I don’t take the wine either. We receive kneeling at the Altar rail, so as the cup comes by I just cross my arms.

I have known the inverse to be true as well. Knew a couple of people with Celiac disease who could not consume wheat, and as such only took the wine.

For medication purposes, I’m not sure the amount of alcohol would really matter.

Remember, the norm in the Tridentine Mass was for the Priest to receive both body and blood, while the communicants to only received the host.
 
pianistclare said:
The alcohol content fro Altar wine may not exceed 18%.
Here’s a good article regarding altar wine: ewtn.com/library/Liturgy/zlitur255.htm
When we take a “sip” I doubt the amount is going to impact us in any way.
This question sounds a bit scrupulous, frankly.
One can receive the Body only. You just reverence the Precious Blood as you walk past it.
No big deal.
We make our own lives a bit harder than necessary sometimes. 😉
Christ won’t put your life in danger with His Precious Blood. At least I don’t believe so.
:twocents:
God bless.
Click to expand...
I wasn’t meaning it to sound scrupulous…it was more of a curiosity of what other people do.
I’m fine receiving the Host only. 🙂
 
ChurchSoldier said:
I don’t take the wine either. We receive kneeling at the Altar rail, so as the cup comes by I just cross my arms.

I have known the inverse to be true as well. Knew a couple of people with Celiac disease who could not consume wheat, and as such only took the wine.

For medication purposes, I’m not sure the amount of alcohol would really matter.

Remember, the norm in the Tridentine Mass was for the Priest to receive both body and blood, while the communicants to only received the host.
Click to expand...
Thanks! Yes, I know a man with celiac who takes the cup only.
I have never been to a Tridentine but would like to. There is one in our diocese!
How I wish we had an altar rail…I am a post Vatican 2 era Catholic so have only seen them in pictures. 😦
 
There is no issue with simply receiving the Host. Why take the risk?
I can’t remember the last time I received from the chalice. It is rarely offered in my archdiocese (cuts back on EMHC to not distribute the chalice for one).
 
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