Proper disposal of consecrated wine

[Ana_v]

What would be the method? I know there is a procedure for properly disposing of consecrated Hosts. However, when it comes to the Precious Blood we are talking about a liquid, which perhaps complicates things more? I’m not sure. For example, if it were spilled onto carpet.

 

[MisterCorduroy]

From the General Instructions for the Ritual of the Mass (280) “If a host or any particle should fall, it is to be picked up reverently. If any of the Precious Blood is spilled, the area where the spill occurred should be washed with water, and this water should then be poured into the sacrarium in the sacristy.”

The purificator is used to blot up any spills quickly, and also left to cover the area (so no one will step on it) until it can be washed.

At one parish that had carpet, I saw the priest get down on the floor and suck the carpet, then they burned that spot later in the day. Good reason for having marble or tile in front of the altar.

 

[Suslar]

Proper Disposal?
Generally, hosts that have fallen or are becoming stale should be consumed by the priest. Precious Blood left over after Mass should be totally consumed by the priest and then the chalice purified before being washed.

As said above, when there is a spill, it is to be cleaned up reverently. I’ve never heard of a priest sucking the carpet - and would think that would be extreme given all the dirt and germs from peoples’ shoes, but better to be overly zealous than cavilier, right?

 

[EasterJoy]

The presence of Christ continues in the Eucharist as long as the eucharistic species subsist; that is, for as long as they maintain the outward characteristics of bread and wine. Obviously, if the Precious Blood is not spoiled or spilled, it ought to be consumed. (The Precious Blood is never to be deliberately poured, but always ought to be consumed directly from the vessel in which it was consecrated.)

If the Precious Blood is spilled, the presence of Christ does not continue once the point is reached when the species are so diluted with water that wine with those physical attributes would no longer be valid matter for consecration. If it does not maintain the appearances of wine, it does not maintain the presence of Christ. Like a purificator, any water used to cleanse the purificators or sacred vessels or anywhere else the eucharistic species have come to rest deserves to be disposed of in a manner suitable for sacramentals: that is, in the sacrarium or by burial, burning, etc.

BTW, this is something altar servers should know: that is, if they witness a spill of the Precious Blood, they should immediately and quickly (continuing in the calm and reverent manner proper for service at the altar) get water and a plentitude of purificators, leaving enough clean linens for any Masses that are immediately following. The containers used ought to be those suitable for holy water, purificators, and so on, if this is at all possible.