Priest not serving the body of Christ

[marybethb36]

I recently attended a Mass in a different city. The priest was elderly and using a cane which I was told was unusual. This parish did not have a deacon. Father consecrated the host and wine and then sat down. The body and blood was served exclusively by Eucharistic Ministers. I observed on EM give herself communion after she was positioned at her serving station. The priest did nothing else. He did not even purify the vessels afterwards. Is this okay if he is not feeling well? Anyone know?

 

[puzzleannie]

it is actually not unusual to see an elderly priest who relies on a cane or even wheelchair as the population of priests in many parts of this country is aging. of course it is acceptable for properly trained and commissioned lay ministers to distribute communion and purify the vessels, in the absence of a deacon.

 

[thistle]

it is actually not unusual to see an elderly priest who relies on a cane or even wheelchair as the population of priests in many parts of this country is aging. of course it is acceptable for properly trained and commissioned lay ministers to distribute communion and purify the vessels, in the absence of a deacon.

In such cases is it also okay for an EM to give herself Communion or should the priest somehow at least have distributed to the EM’s?

 

[puzzleannie]

In such cases is it also okay for an EM to give herself Communion or should the priest somehow at least have distributed to the EM’s?

If he is able, yes he should, if he can’t one EM serves the others, then one serves him, it is a no-brainer. This situation is exactly that envisioned in commissioning EXTRAordinary ministers. they are being used in an out-of-the-ordinary situation from necessity.

 

[thistle]

If he is able, yes he should, if he can’t one EM serves the others, then one serves him, it is a no-brainer. This situation is exactly that envisioned in commissioning EXTRAordinary ministers. they are being used in an out-of-the-ordinary situation from necessity.

Thanks

 

[AHapka]

My priest once broke his leg (very shortly before Mass) and was on crutches. He did distribute to us EMHC’s with great difficulty. He did not distribute to the congregation due to the steps leading down from the altar and great difficulty he had walking even with the crutches.

I must tell you it was very weird to stand in the spot the priest always stands in as an EMHC. In my opinion, he did all he could and I completely understand him not distributing.

 

[SMHW]

The only troubling thing I see here is that it seems at least one EMHC self-communicated.

It’s likely this was an honest mistake since this was an unusual circumstance. But since there were evidently multiple EMHCs it might be gently pointed out that this error need not be repeated.

 

[Karl_M]

it is actually not unusual to see an elderly priest who relies on a cane or even wheelchair as the population of priests in many parts of this country is aging. of course it is acceptable for properly trained and commissioned lay ministers to distribute communion

Yes, it is common, and yes it is acceptable to use EMHC’s in the situation described. However, it is not acceptable for anyone other than the celebrant priest to self-communicate. Not even a deacon is allowed to do that.

and purify the vessels, in the absence of a deacon.

No, it isn’t. The Vatican has been quite clear about it

usccb.org/liturgy/cleansingofvessels.pdf

There’s no provisions for infirm priests. There’s also a section about many chalices and only one priest-their answer is basically “use less chalices.”

And also, don’t confuse “purify” or “cleansing” with actual “cleaning” or “washing.” To purify/cleanse the sacred vessels is to clean the fragments of Hosts and Blood that were too small to be consumed.

After that is done, anyone can “clean” the vessels-as in with soap and water, before they’re put into wherever they’re kept between Masses.