Question about the eucharist...

[rainalaska]

At Easter Vigil we had a few parishoners who dropped the host when recieving it. The eucharistic minister picked them up and held on to them until after serving everyone else. What then happens to the host? Is it disposed of? If so, how?

 

[Seatuck]

At Easter Vigil we had a few parishoners who dropped the host when recieving it. The eucharistic minister picked them up and held on to them until after serving everyone else. What then happens to the host? Is it disposed of? If so, how?

A dropped host could be consumed or it could be dissolved in a container of water until it no longer resembles bread and then it would be placed into the earth.

 

[bmadamsberry]

What should have been done was that the Host was recieved immediatly if it was possible to do so (not too dirty, not too wet from possibly being in the mouth already, etc.). If it could not have been consumed, then the proper thing to do is dissolve it in water until it no longer appears to be bread. The water and dissolved Host should then be poured down the piscina (the basin) and the sacrarium (the drain itself). Or, and less preferrably, it can be poured onto the earth outside.

 

[JerrySeibert]

The deeper seated issue that may need to be resolved is that your Celebrant may need to work, “Respect of the Eaucharist” into his Homily.

 

[Mrs_Sally]

What should have been done was that the Host was recieved immediatly if it was possible to do so (not too dirty, not too wet from possibly being in the mouth already, etc.). If it could not have been consumed, then the proper thing to do is dissolve it in water until it no longer appears to be bread. The water and dissolved Host should then be poured down the piscina (the basin) and the sacrarium (the drain itself). Or, and less preferrably, it can be poured onto the earth outside.

If there was a just a brief fumble, the host could have been given to that same communicant. If the practice in your parish is not to do that, than the hosts should have been dissolved and disposed of as above.

I want to also gently remind us all that we should not be observing and noting other’s behavior at communion, but focusing on our own preparation and thanksgiving. At large Masses there may be some (ushers or others) who are charged with ensuring that the consecrated hosts are consumed properly and no one tries to walk away with one, but the rest of us should not be watching and evaluating the other communicants or the distribution process.

 

[rainalaska]

I want to also gently remind us all that we should not be observing and noting other’s behavior at communion, but focusing on our own preparation and thanksgiving. At large Masses there may be some (ushers or others) who are charged with ensuring that the consecrated hosts are consumed properly and no one tries to walk away with one, but the rest of us should not be watching and evaluating the other communicants or the distribution process.

I know that this was meant to be gentle, but it wasn’t. As a convert I had to ask about this because it was really bothering me. Second at Easter Vigil there were a lot of people and I was seated in the front row, I could not help but see the host fall on the floor. I agree that the focus should be on us and where are hearts and minds are. I do not believe this was the time to scold people.

 

[Mrs_Sally]

I know that this was meant to be gentle, but it wasn’t. As a convert I had to ask about this because it was really bothering me. Second at Easter Vigil there were a lot of people and I was seated in the front row, I could not help but see the host fall on the floor. I agree that the focus should be on us and where are hearts and minds are. I do not believe this was the time to scold people.

I’m very sorry. I did not know that you are a recent convert. Welcome home!