Purifying the Pyx

[LaudemGloriae]

Hi! Do any of you know if there is a document/instruction on what Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (or in this case, Ministers of Care) should do to purify the pyx after they have brought Holy Communion to the sick?

I have really been searching, but have not been able to find anything. A priest once told me they should fill the pyx with water, drink this, and then dry the pyx. Does anyone know an official document or anything out their like this in writing, so I can bring it to my local parish to ask that it be given to the EMHC? I know many that do not purify the pyx, or simply collect the remaining crumbs, and consume them, but without using water. Is this sufficient?

Any help in this would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Hi! Do any of you know if there is a document/instruction on what Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (or in this case, Ministers of Care) should do to purify the pyx after they have brought Holy Communion to the sick?

I have really been searching, but have not been able to find anything. A priest once told me they should fill the pyx with water, drink this, and then dry the pyx. Does anyone know an official document or anything out their like this in writing, so I can bring it to my local parish to ask that it be given to the EMHC? I know many that do not purify the pyx, or simply collect the remaining crumbs, and consume them, but without using water. Is this sufficient?

Any help in this would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

Visible particles should be removed and consummed. I have filled my pyx with water, poured that water into a chalice and consummed it, then dryed my pyx. However I do not do this every time I use it, I usually only inspect it for visible particles. The pyx is kept in a safe and secure place when not in use.

 

[Joe_Kelley]

I have never found particles in mine. I require that all rinse their Pyx in the closed sink - the one with a cover that feeds into the ground - and dry it with the purificator.

 

[Leopard]

Visible particles should be removed and consummed. I have filled my pyx with water, poured that water into a chalice and consummed it, then dryed my pyx. However I do not do this every time I use it, I usually only inspect it for visible particles. The pyx is kept in a safe and secure place when not in use.

This is also how I was taught to purify my pyx, with one addition: If the pyx was used to return a Host that has been rendered unfit for consumption, such as having been in the mouth of a communicant who turned out to be incapable of swallowing the Host (as occasionally happens in hospitals or nursing homes):

First, all particles of the host should be placed in the appropriate vessel to be dissolved in water, then

Second, interior of the pyx should be rinsed and the water poured into the vessel with the Host, then

Third, the entire pyx should be washed and rinsed in the sacrarium. If a purificator is used to wipe the pyx at any time it should also be cleansed in the proper manner.

 

[John_Lilburne]

From the 1973 liturgical book “Holy Communion and the Worship of the Eucharist Outside of Mass”. In the General Introduction section it has:
“22. Fragments remaining after communion are to be gathered and placed in a ciborium or in a vessel with water. Likewise, if communion is given under the appearance of wine, the chalice or other vessel is to be washed with water.
The water used for cleansing the vessels may be drunk or poured out in a suitable place.”

In the same book, for the “Rite of Distributing Holy Communion Outside Mass” it has:
“36. After communion the minister puts any particle left on the plate into the pyx, and he may wash his hands. He returns any remaining hosts to the tabernacle and genuflects.”

Again in the same book, for “Administration of Communion and Viaticum to the Sick by an Extraordinary Minister” it has:
“62. After communion the minister washes the vessel as usual. A period of silence may now be observed.”

I find these quite complicated.

I think the reasoning is that if there is a tabernacle, the preferred solution is for the particles to go into the pyx, then into the tabernacle. Perhaps a priest later removes these particles and purifies the pyx. But if there is no tabernacle, all of the Body of Christ should be consumed. Rather than directly eating the particles, I think, the Extraordinary Minster should put them into a vessel with water and then drink that.

Reference: The Rites Volume One, Liturgical Press, 1990, ISBN: 0-8146-6015-0, pages 646-647, 652 and 661-662.

 

[LaudemGloriae]

Hi! Thanks for all the replies, especially the last with all the quotes; they are most helpful! Thank you, John! I really appreciate it!

Yes, I also find them a bit complicated. I wish there was something very simply stated exactly of what an EMHC should do. The priest I spoke to the other day said it is not sufficient to simply collect the visible pieces, but that the pyx needs to be purified with water.

I’ll keep searching, but the above quotes are still great. Maybe that’s about all there is out there as far as official documents go. Okay, thanks again!

 

[LaudemGloriae]

Hi! Just bumping this thread, in case anyone else might have something else to add. Happy Sunday!

 

[Mordocai]

With my situation, I have been bringing communion to my mom every day and I typically do this after Mass. I have not found any particles in the pyx yet but if I did, am I supposed to go back to the Church right away or just consume them? Do I purify the pyx with water later by the sacrarium or at home?

I could see how this works if I were “making rounds” and ending up back at the Church but the pyx is mine and I’m bringing communion to my own home. And if I’m not finding particles, then is there no need to purify the pyx (which to date I’ve never done)

Mordocai