Priest uses hand sanitizer at Preparation of the Gifts

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Hi all, I go to a somewhat liberal Catholic school, and there seem to be several liturgical abuses which have taken place. I have found the specific places in the GIRM and other documents which prohibit these other abuses, but have not been able to find anything regarding the one which I now ask you about:

One of the priests at daily masses, at the end of the Preparation of the Gifts, puts on hand sanitizer before beginning the Prayer over the Offerings. I am not positive, I will need to look more closely, but I believe this replaces the ritual hand washing.

So, two questions regarding that (and feel free to add whatever you would like as well):

Can the priest ever omit the ritual hand washing?

AND

Can the priest use hand sanitizer in place of the hand washing or in addition to it? I find it hard to believe this is acceptable and have never seen it anywhere else. This is a constant thing, not just in flu season or anything like that. Every single time. At daily mass the EMHCs bring up the gifts onto the altar to give to him, and then one of them gives him hand sanitizer as well before returning to their pews.

Thanks in advance.
 
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Viruses and bacteria don’t take vacations, they are present 365 days per year. Especially for those with compromised immune systems or serious long term illnesses (cardiac patients) need to use alcohol to clean their hands often. Perhaps your priest or parishioners have health concerns that you are not aware of.
 
I bet the chalice tastes a little bit like sanitizer when you sip from it :crazy_face:
 
AveCrux1 said:
Hi all, I go to a somewhat liberal Catholic school, and there seem to be several liturgical abuses which have taken place. I have found the specific places in the GIRM and other documents which prohibit these other abuses, but have not been able to find anything regarding the one which I now ask you about:

One of the priests at daily masses, at the end of the Preparation of the Gifts, puts on hand sanitizer before beginning the Prayer over the Offerings. I am not positive, I will need to look more closely, but I believe this replaces the ritual hand washing.

So, two questions regarding that (and feel free to add whatever you would like as well):

Can the priest ever omit the ritual hand washing?

AND

Can the priest use hand sanitizer in place of the hand washing or in addition to it? I find it hard to believe this is acceptable and have never seen it anywhere else. This is a constant thing, not just in flu season or anything like that. Every single time. At daily mass the EMHCs bring up the gifts onto the altar to give to him, and then one of them gives him hand sanitizer as well before returning to their pews.

Thanks in advance.
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What is your definition of “somewhat liberal?”
 
I do not deny any of that, and I do understand, I am not criticizing the priest for that as I am sure germs are his main concern and reasoning, but my question is is it ALLOWED?
 
AveCrux1 said:
I am not positive, I will need to look more closely, but I believe this replaces the ritual hand washing.
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This is the issue you need to be positive about before getting over excited.

If the hand washing is taking place, and at some point before distribution of the Eucharist he sanitizes his hands, good for him…and good for you, as the Little Lady explained…bacteria takes no vacation!

In this, flu season and with a near measles epidemic, sanitization of hands (even though may do little for measles spread), is a very prudent idea.

Again, watch carefully…I’m not a gambling man, but I would bet the priest is not replacing the washing with sanitizing.

And, if he is, discreetly take it up with him personally, and charitably.

Peace
 
If it is not prohibited then I do not have a problem with it. My question however is just that - what is the rule surrounding this, and if this is in fact replacing the hand washing, is that wrong per Church practice?
 
If you have any concerns talk to the priest involved, if you do not wish to approach the priest talk to another priest In your parish or diocese or a Bishop.

I hope you get the answers you seek, however I think your priest is wise to use hand sanitizer especially with all the germs and bugs going around.
 
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FOG said:
Still a question I am not willing to answer until you are positive that is what happened. No need for you, or us, to get work up over a hypothetical.
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Like I said, if it is allowed I do not have a problem with it.

For those concerned about me being “worked up” or throwing out “liturgical abuse!”, the reason I am inquiring about this is because there ARE other actual liturgical abuses happening which I have already confirmed. I am not ONLY concerned about this. In fact I am much more concerned about the other things.
 
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AveCrux1 said:
One of the priests at daily masses, at the end of the Preparation of the Gifts, puts on hand sanitizer before beginning the Prayer over the Offerings. I am not positive, I will need to look more closely, but I believe this replaces the ritual hand washing.

So, two questions regarding that (and feel free to add whatever you would like as well):

Can the priest ever omit the ritual hand washing?
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He can use hand sanitizer if he likes, but it cannot replace the Washing of Hands.

Using hand sanitizer should be IN ADDITION to what the rubics & liturgy calls for.

It would also be nice if he did it in a less obvious way to maintain ritualism.
 
"Hi Father Smith, I noticed you use hand sanitizer during mass. I appreciate your thoughtfulness.

Say, that brings up a question I’ve always had - what’s the liturgical concept behind the hand washing part of the preparation? What does it symbolize? How and when did it enter the liturgy? What should I be recognizing or otherwise thinking upon as I watch you do this? How might such a liturgical gift strengthen my relationship with Christ?.

Thanks for taking the time to visit with me Father, and thanks for all that you do for our church and our King. By the way, we’re having burgers for dinner tomorrow night if you’re interested - there’s always a spot at our table for you!"
 
I am an EMHC at my parish. Hand sanitizer is made available to us to use just before we go to the altar. I haven’t used it as my personal practice has been to wash my hands thoroughly before Mass when I am serving. But thinking about it, there may be a point to having the sanitizer available to EMHC’s: the Sign of Peace takes place just before communion so now my hands have touched other people’s hands, what then? I am fairly healthy, but I suppose flu season ought to call for greater discretion about these things. Always within the context of accepted practice, of course.
 
Zzyzx_Road said:
I am an EMHC at my parish. Hand sanitizer is made available to us to use just before we go to the altar. I haven’t used it as my personal practice has been to wash my hands thoroughly before Mass when I am serving. But thinking about it, there may be a point to having the sanitizer available to EMHC’s: the Sign of Peace takes place just before communion so now my hands have touched other people’s hands, what then? I am fairly healthy, but I suppose flu season ought to call for greater discretion about these things. Always within the context of accepted practice, of course.
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EMHCs using it makes complete sense and even if a priest wants to put it on before communion, but I’m talking about the priest putting it on in the part of the mass where they normally wash their hands with water as a symbol of purity before we enter into the most sacred part of the mass.
 
Be at peace. Remember that the priest almost certainly is more knowledgeable in these matters than you are. Don’t create unnecessary angst.
 
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At our parish a hundred years of masses with incence has been replaced by the liturgical gel called purell
 
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