People not partaking in wine during the Communion

[Bev17243]

Ok, I’m still new to Catholicism so this is something I 'm hoping members can explain to me. When I was at Mass yesterday, the waffers and wine were served by laypeople(?), one person was handing out waffers, the other one held the wine chalice. This is a large church so there was a long line. I saw number of people just taking the waffers but ignoring the wine. I’m not sure why that was? Anyone can explain this?

 

[bearer]

It is not necessary to partake of both species of the Eucharist. The consecrated bread and wine are both the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ, and so one is sufficient.

 

[lizaanne]

Ok, I’m still new to Catholicism so this is something I 'm hoping members can explain to me. When I was at Mass yesterday, the waffers and wine were served by laypeople(?), one person was handing out waffers, the other one held the wine chalice. This is a large church so there was a long line. I saw number of people just taking the waffers but ignoring the wine. I’m not sure why that was? Anyone can explain this?

First of all - after the consecration, they are no longer “wafers and wine”, they have become the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus Christ. IT IS HIM - you have been taught that, I hope.

One can receive only the Body of Christ, and because it is ENTIRELY and completely Him, there is no need to receive His Precious Blood as well. In many parishes, such as mine, the cup is not offered to the people, and that is perfectly fine.

As for why some people chose to skip receiving the Blood of Christ, it could be for a number of reasons. They feel receiving His Body is sufficient (which it is), they are in a hurry (sadly), they have a cold and do not want to share that with others, they could be ill and have a fear of catching someone else’s cold.

It is not required to receive Holy Communion under both species.

Please be sure to speak with your RCIA Director to ensure that you have a proper understanding of Holy Communion - they should be teaching you all these things, and be the first place you go right now, while you are in preparation to be received into the Church, for these types of questions.

~Liza

 

[Bev17243]

First of all - after the consecration, they are no longer “wafers and wine”, they have become the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus Christ. IT IS HIM - you have been taught that, I hope.

One can receive only the Body of Christ, and because it is ENTIRELY and completely Him, there is no need to receive His Precious Blood as well. In many parishes, such as mine, the cup is not offered to the people, and that is perfectly fine.

As for why some people chose to skip receiving the Blood of Christ, it could be for a number of reasons. They feel receiving His Body is sufficient (which it is), they are in a hurry (sadly), they have a cold and do not want to share that with others, they could be ill and have a fear of catching someone else’s cold.

It is not required to receive Holy Communion under both species.

Please be sure to speak with your RCIA Director to ensure that you have a proper understanding of Holy Communion - they should be teaching you all these things, and be the first place you go right now, while you are in preparation to be received into the Church, for these types of questions.

~Liza

thank you for explanation. As I am still an inquirer and have to wait until the fall to attend next round of RCIA, there is no need to point out what i should be learning, I’m well aware that my knowledge is not sufficient yet.

 

[lizaanne]

thank you for explanation. As I am still an inquirer and have to wait until the fall to attend next round of RCIA, there is no need to point out what i should be learning, I’m well aware that my knowledge is not sufficient yet.

You are welcome. You did not make it clear in your post that you are not in RCIA yet, you said you are new to Catholicism.

Keep learning, there is much to know, and you can’t love someone you don’t know!!

~Liza

 

[Rich_C]

thank you for explanation. As I am still an inquirer and have to wait until the fall to attend next round of RCIA, there is no need to point out what i should be learning, I’m well aware that my knowledge is not sufficient yet.

You’ll be in my prayer intentions at adoration tonight, Bev. I’m so glad you’ve found your way home. If you’d like to begin learning basics of the Catholic Faith before you begin RCIA, may I suggest you get a copy of the Baltimore Cathechism #3 (#1 and #2 are for children and youth)? It will give you a truly solid foundation as you go into RCIA and will be a good resource throughout your life.

God bless!

 

[anp1215]

You are welcome. You did not make it clear in your post that you are not in RCIA yet, you said you are new to Catholicism.

Keep learning, there is much to know, and you can’t love someone you don’t know!!

~Liza

His profile says “Protestant, hoping to start RCIA soon.”

 

[anp1215]

Ok, I’m still new to Catholicism so this is something I 'm hoping members can explain to me. When I was at Mass yesterday, the waffers and wine were served by laypeople(?), one person was handing out waffers, the other one held the wine chalice. This is a large church so there was a long line. I saw number of people just taking the waffers but ignoring the wine. I’m not sure why that was? Anyone can explain this?

As others have said, Jesus is fully present in the wine and the host. So you can take one or the other or both. You are receiving the same thing.

I think a lot of people do not drink from the chalice because they’re scared of germs.

I would like to point out though, even if someone does not choose to drink from the chalice, they still should not “ignore” it, as you say. A sign of reverence should be made when passing by. After all, if Jesus was standing there, would you walk straight past without even looking? It’s the same thing. (I am certainly guilty of having done this in the past as well)

 

[Inego_de_Loyola]

thank you for explanation. As I am still an inquirer and have to wait until the fall to attend next round of RCIA, there is no need to point out what i should be learning, I’m well aware that my knowledge is not sufficient yet.

Welcome home!

 

[maryj]

thank you for explanation. As I am still an inquirer and have to wait until the fall to attend next round of RCIA, there is no need to point out what i should be learning, I’m well aware that my knowledge is not sufficient yet.

Welcome home!! As a life long catholic, I am also aware that my knowledge is not sufficient yet!! May God Bless you on your journey.

 

[liturgyluver]

To quote from the General Instruction of Roman Missal:

Holy Communion may be received under one kind (the Sacred Host alone), or under both kinds (both the Sacred Host and the Precious Blood). “Holy Communion has a fuller form as a sign when it is distributed under both kinds. For in this form the sign of the eucharistic banquet is more clearly evident and clear expression is given to the divine will by which the new and eternal Covenant is ratified in the Blood of the Lord, as also the relationship between the Eucharistic banquet and the eschatological banquet in the Father’s Kingdom… (However,) Christ, whole and entire, and the true Sacrament, is received even under only one species, and consequently that as far as the effects are concerned, those who receive under only one species are not deprived of any of the grace that is necessary for salvation”

Hope this helps.

 

[po18guy]

thank you for explanation. As I am still an inquirer and have to wait until the fall to attend next round of RCIA, there is no need to point out what i should be learning, I’m well aware that my knowledge is not sufficient yet.

Even before entering RCIA, grab a copy of Catholicism for Dummies. It is an invaluable resource that you can refer to again and again when questions come up. Every RCIA participant, every Catholic, every Christian should have a copy. I learn something about the faith each time I open my copy.

 

[James924]

A sign of reverence should be made when passing by. After all, if Jesus was standing there, would you walk straight past without even looking? It’s the same thing. (I am certainly guilty of having done this in the past as well)

An excellent point. The few times per year that I have to bring my family to a Novus Ordo I usually skip receiving our Lord in the chalice, but I’m sad to say I’ve never even thought twice about walking right past without bowing until reading your post. Thank you for pointing this out!

 

[garn9173]

Ok, I’m still new to Catholicism so this is something I 'm hoping members can explain to me. When I was at Mass yesterday, the waffers and wine were served by laypeople(?), one person was handing out waffers, the other one held the wine chalice. This is a large church so there was a long line. I saw number of people just taking the waffers but ignoring the wine. I’m not sure why that was? Anyone can explain this?

Welcome home to the Church. One person in this thread made mention of passing on the Precious Blood as they may have a cold. A few weeks ago, I did just that and felt horrible for doing so and really missed not receiving it… If you would take time some day or to watch Mass on EWTN, the Precious Blood isn’t offered there.

 

[LilHomemaker]

thank you for explanation. As I am still an inquirer and have to wait until the fall to attend next round of RCIA, there is no need to point out what i should be learning, I’m well aware that my knowledge is not sufficient yet.

Welcome. I am a returning Catholic and just learning, also. I have to second what someone else said about the Baltimore catechism #3. I use it and used it for my teenager who when I returned he had to start learning also.

I will keep you in my prayers.

God bless.

 

[garn9173]

Welcome. I am a returning Catholic and just learning, also. I have to second what someone else said about the Baltimore catechism #3. I use it and used it for my teenager who when I returned he had to start learning also.

I will keep you in my prayers.

God bless.

From one revert to another, it sure is great being Home, isn’t?

 

[Bev17243]

Even before entering RCIA, grab a copy of Catholicism for Dummies. It is an invaluable resource that you can refer to again and again when questions come up. Every RCIA participant, every Catholic, every Christian should have a copy. I learn something about the faith each time I open my copy.

thanks, I just bought one

Thanks to all the posters for advice and blessings!

 

[anp1215]

An excellent point. The few times per year that I have to bring my family to a Novus Ordo I usually skip receiving our Lord in the chalice, but I’m sad to say I’ve never even thought twice about walking right past without bowing until reading your post. Thank you for pointing this out!

You are very welcome. I read it somewhere but I can’t remember where it was and I had never thought about it either.

 

[roadsend]

…
I would like to point out though, even if someone does not choose to drink from the chalice, they still should not “ignore” it, as you say. A sign of reverence should be made when passing by. After all, if Jesus was standing there, would you walk straight past without even looking? It’s the same thing. (I am certainly guilty of having done this in the past as well)

Since Jesus is already present in those who have received, isn’t it a bit redundant to stop and bow toward the chalice, the tabernacle or anything else?

Also since we in the Communion line are in fact “in procession” while going to and fro, are not bows, genuflections etc supposed to be omitted?

 

[LilyM]

Since Jesus is already present in those who have received, isn’t it a bit redundant to stop and bow toward the chalice, the tabernacle or anything else?

Also since we in the Communion line are in fact “in procession” while going to and fro, are not bows, genuflections etc supposed to be omitted?

Not at all, in fact were are supposed to make a bow or genuflection in the line prior to receiving communion. Christ is present in that host and chalice in a perfect way - body, blood, soul and divinity. He is NOT present in such a complete way, at least not this side of heaven, in any person AFTER they have communicated.

Besides which - if you’e ever been at the front of the church during the entrance procession of the Mass or the recession (at the end of Mass where those involved process out) those processing in or out do stop and kneel or bow as they reach the sanctuary. So the mere fact of being ‘in procession’ doesn’t matter. I’d be interested to know where you got the impression that it does.