On hosts during Mass

[yesukristus]

What does the GIRM (or other church documents) state on what to do with excess hosts after communion? Can the priests and/or laypeople consume the extras? And on distribution of hosts between containers, can it be done after they’re consecrated (i.e. priest or EMC take some from one container and distribute it among other containers)? Is this disrespectful of the Eucharist?

 

[YoungTradCath]

You very carefully transfer them to as few ciboria as possible, then you lock the ciboria up in the tabernacle.

The extras can be consumed, but ordinarily a tabernacle eliminates this.

Hosts can be put in different ciboria if needed, yes, but it must be done reverently and as carefully as possible.

 

[DavidFilmer]

There is a special cloth, called a corporal, which is laid upon the Altar. The Eucharistic Gifts (bread and wine) are placed upon this cloth. This would normally include only one Paten and ciborium (for the bread to be consecrated), but might include several chalices of wine (or even pitchers, if made of a suitable substance such as silver or crystal), depending upon the needs of the particular celebration.

As the Agnus Dei is being sung, additional empty ciboria or chalices may be brought to the Altar and filled by the President or his delegate from the Consecrated Elements already on the corporal. It is preferred throughout that there be one principal Chalice and one principal Paten (which stand out among any other vessels) upon which the Sacred Gifts are seen to be consecrated.

Just as the empty ciboria may be filled at this time, a ciborium which becomes empty may be replenished during distribution of the Host. This is not forbidden for the Precious Blood, but the difficulty of transferring it intact to Chalices “in the field” often precludes the attempt. If Chalices which were already filled and were held in reserve upon the Altar could be respectfully substituted for empty vessels, there would be little objection.

Any remaining Precious Blood should be consumed by the priest, the Eucharistic Ministers, or others called into service should the remnant be unexpectedly large (it would be inappropriate, to say the least, to become drunk on Communion Wine). Most hosts of modern manufacture can be stored without risk of corruption in a Tabernacle, which is the preferred practice. If no Tabernacle is available (such as might be encountered in a Mission Parish, or a Parish which shares worship space with others), the Hosts should be consumed as well by those participating in the Mass.

 

[yesukristus]

Is it ok to bring out consecrated hosts from the tabernacle during the Agnus Dei or any other time after consecration of hosts already on the altar for distribution to the faithful?

 

[paperwight66]

Is it ok to bring out consecrated hosts from the tabernacle during the Agnus Dei or any other time after consecration of hosts already on the altar for distribution to the faithful?

Yes.

May I ask why you are asking about all these points?

 

[yesukristus]

Just wondering… I see these happening and wanted to know if they’re abuses or not.

 

[quiet52]

Consecrated hosts must be available in the Tabernacle during the week to bring to prisoners, hospital and other patients, and the homebound.

 

[MaryandJoseph]

At my parish, our Deacon will lead a Communion Service when Father is away and there is usually enough consecrated hosts remaining from Sunday Mass to distribute to the faithful.

Our Deacon or other homebound ministers will offer Holy Communion to the shut-ins and those in hospitals.

As per prisons,our “cleaver” pastor has found a way of “sneaking” in wine so as to have a Full Mass:thumbsup:

 

[CB_Catholic]

Just wondering… I see these happening and wanted to know if they’re abuses or not.

I really have to say something here–it is not a good idea to go looking for abuses at Mass. You will soon find yourself unable to concentrate on the Mass, wondering if things are an abuse, and will be learning not to trust your priest, Bishop, etc. This is something that seems to be happening far too often among the younger people on the forums, and often they are accusing priests and others of liturgical abuse where none actually exists, and they even end up name calling and showing disrespect toward the clergy and others.

Forget about about abuses at Mass and concentrate on Jesus and what is happening at the altar, and do not listen to people who are constantly on the lookout for such things. You will have a much richer spiritual life and get far more out of the Mass. And God will be much more pleased if you are focusing on Him.

 

[Ohana]

I really have to say something here–it is not a good idea to go looking for abuses at Mass. You will soon find yourself unable to concentrate on the Mass, wondering if things are an abuse, and will be learning not to trust your priest, Bishop, etc. This is something that seems to be happening far too often among the younger people on the forums, and often they are accusing priests and others of liturgical abuse where none actually exists, and they even end up name calling and showing disrespect toward the clergy and others.

Forget about about abuses at Mass and concentrate on Jesus and what is happening at the altar, and do not listen to people who are constantly on the lookout for such things. You will have a much richer spiritual life and get far more out of the Mass. And God will be much more pleased if you are focusing on Him.

CB. Thank you for saying this so well.

:clapping::dancing::extrahappy::tiphat:

(ps: just always wanted to do that. did not mean to be overexuberant

 

[Neil_McFhane]

Just as the empty ciboria may be filled at this time, a ciborium which becomes empty may be replenished during distribution of the Host. This is not forbidden for the Precious Blood, but the difficulty of transferring it intact to Chalices “in the field” often precludes the attempt. If Chalices which were already filled and were held in reserve upon the Altar could be respectfully substituted for empty vessels, there would be little objection.

While, replenishing chalices does seem to be forbidden by Redemtionis Sacramentum 106:
“However, the pouring of the Blood of Christ after the consecration from one vessel to another is completely to be avoided, lest anything should happen that would be to the detriment of so great a mystery. Never to be used for containing the Blood of the Lord are flagons, bowls, or other vessels that are not fully in accord with the established norms.”

But as you said, I suspect the solution is to have reserve chalices on the Altar, bearing in mind the advice from RS 102 to not administer communion under both kind with a large number where the danger exists of leaving an unreasonable amount of the Blood of Chrsit.

 

[maryjk]

I really have to say something here–it is not a good idea to go looking for abuses at Mass. You will soon find yourself unable to concentrate on the Mass, wondering if things are an abuse, and will be learning not to trust your priest, Bishop, etc. This is something that seems to be happening far too often among the younger people on the forums, and often they are accusing priests and others of liturgical abuse where none actually exists, and they even end up name calling and showing disrespect toward the clergy and others.

Forget about about abuses at Mass and concentrate on Jesus and what is happening at the altar, and do not listen to people who are constantly on the lookout for such things. You will have a much richer spiritual life and get far more out of the Mass. And God will be much more pleased if you are focusing on Him.

This post should be a sticky.

 

[Philomeena]

I really have to say something here–it is not a good idea to go looking for abuses at Mass. You will soon find yourself unable to concentrate on the Mass, wondering if things are an abuse, and will be learning not to trust your priest, Bishop, etc. This is something that seems to be happening far too often among the younger people on the forums, and often they are accusing priests and others of liturgical abuse where none actually exists, and they even end up name calling and showing disrespect toward the clergy and others.

Forget about about abuses at Mass and concentrate on Jesus and what is happening at the altar, and do not listen to people who are constantly on the lookout for such things. You will have a much richer spiritual life and get far more out of the Mass. And God will be much more pleased if you are focusing on Him.

Well said.