question on the Eucharist

[custardcream]

hi all, sorry i know this is a strange question but here goes. today i recieved the Holy Bread but it was only a tiny piece that had broken off, i didnt receive the full host. does anyone know if this was ok or effects the Eucharist in any way?

 

[Trishie]

While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take it; this is my body.” (Mark 14:22)

Please be at peace.
Jesus broke the bread, so that each piece given to each of the apostles was only a fragments of the whole. It was no less the Lord, just as was your fragment.

“When a host is broken, each fragment contains Christ as fully as did the whole. A single drop of the Precious Blood contains as much of Him as a whole chalice. As a helpful comparison Saint Thomas uses the example of an image in a mirror. When the mirror is broken, each fragment can reflect the whole object, just as entire mirror previously did.”

30giorni.it/articoli_id_9352_l3.htm?id=9352

 

[po18guy]

Jesus is wholly and entirely contained in even one molecule of the host. The merest touch of His Blood to your lips heals.

 

[Hokomai]

Jesus is wholly and entirely contained in even one molecule of the host. The merest touch of His Blood to your lips heals.

Is this Catholic teaching? I thought the appearance of bread had to be maintained - this wouldn’t be the case in a single molecule (and of course there would be molecules of different substances in the bread or wine). Also there would be the problem of billions of consecrated molecules in the atmosphere, bringing a new meaning to omnipresence!

 

[JimG]

Is this Catholic teaching? I thought the appearance of bread had to be maintained - this wouldn’t be the case in a single molecule (and of course there would be molecules of different substances in the bread or wine). Also there would be the problem of billions of consecrated molecules in the atmosphere, bringing a new meaning to omnipresence!

Eucharistic theology has never been discussed at the molecular level. As long as the consecrated host still retains the appearnce of bread, Jesus remains present in his entirety. It would be impossible, practically speaking to break off only a molecule of the host.

The teaching is that in the Eucharist, Jesus is neither multiplied nor divided. We don’t multiply his body by distributing numerous hosts, neither can he be divided by subdividing the host. The appearances are multiplied or divided, but Jesus remains one.

But to return to the OP’s question, in receiving only a tiny piece of the consecrated host, one still receives Jesus whole and entire.

 

[Matthew_Holford]

Is this Catholic teaching? I thought the appearance of bread had to be maintained - this wouldn’t be the case in a single molecule (and of course there would be molecules of different substances in the bread or wine). Also there would be the problem of billions of consecrated molecules in the atmosphere, bringing a new meaning to omnipresence!

Yes, the appearance of bread has to be maintained. To be accurate a molecule would not count. There is no such thing as a molecule of bread anyway. I think the poster was implying that the smallest particle of bread, let’s say a crumb, contains the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Christ. Therefore, even the smallest particle is sufficient; one does not need to receive a full host.

 

[po18guy]

Is this Catholic teaching? I thought the appearance of bread had to be maintained - this wouldn’t be the case in a single molecule (and of course there would be molecules of different substances in the bread or wine). Also there would be the problem of billions of consecrated molecules in the atmosphere, bringing a new meaning to omnipresence!

I speak in the practical, rather than the scientific sense. The tiniest perceptible morsel of the Eucharist contains all of the graces of the largest Host ever consecrated. Since even the hem of Jesus’ garment healed, I then must ponder: what part of wheat is no longer wheat?

As to molecules in the atmosphere, how do you break bread without causing some particles to be disbursed into the air?

 

[Joe_Kelley]

In giving Communion to the sick I have occasionally had to give someone a very small fragment from a Host. They still received complete and valid Eucharist.

 

[po18guy]

Eucharistic theology has never been discussed at the molecular level. As long as the consecrated host still retains the appearnce of bread, Jesus remains present in his entirety. It would be impossible, practically speaking to break off only a molecule of the host.

The teaching is that in the Eucharist, Jesus is neither multiplied nor divided. We don’t multiply his body by distributing numerous hosts, neither can he be divided by subdividing the host. The appearances are multiplied or divided, but Jesus remains one.

But to return to the OP’s question, in receiving only a tiny piece of the consecrated host, one still receives Jesus whole and entire.

Yes, the appearance of bread has to be maintained. To be accurate a molecule would not count. There is no such thing as a molecule of bread anyway. I think the poster was implying that the smallest particle of bread, let’s say a crumb, contains the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Christ. Therefore, even the smallest particle is sufficient; one does not need to receive a full host.

I’m a victim of my own hyperbole once again! I should have said crumb, and of course the appearance of bread must remain. it asks the question of how small we can go, but that is for higher authority to decide.

 

[Matthew_Holford]

I speak in the practical, rather than the scientific sense. The tiniest perceptible morsel of the Eucharist contains all of the graces of the largest Host ever consecrated. Since even the hem of Jesus’ garment healed, I then must ponder: what part of wheat is no longer wheat?

If you break it down beyond what is wheat to the tissues from which it’s composed; however, that’s taking this thread off at the wrong tangent.

As to molecules in the atmosphere, how do you break bread without causing some particles to be disbursed into the air?

You cannot prevent small particles becoming airborne when the hosts are broken.

 

[Matthew_Holford]

I’m a victim of my own hyperbole once again! I should have said crumb, and of course the appearance of bread must remain. it asks the question of how small we can go, but that is for higher authority to decide.

I suppose you could go as small as you can get a particle that remains bread.

 

[JonahJ]

Just to clarify a few terms if I may…

hi all, sorry i know this is a strange question but here goes. today i recieved the Holy Bread but it was only a tiny piece that had broken off, i didnt receive the full host. does anyone know if this was ok or effects the Eucharist in any way?

Holy bread is present only from the first blessing of the gifts to the consecration. Then all that is substantially present is the Body of Christ, as is every perceptible particle.

"When a host is broken, each fragment contains Christ as fully as did the whole".

I don’t like the word ‘contains’ even though it’s used often and by many. The bread becomes the body of Christ.
The word ‘contains’ smacks a little of consubstantiation.

 

[po18guy]

If you break it down beyond what is wheat to the tissues from which it’s composed; however, that’s taking this thread off at the wrong tangent.

OP was concerned about a certain amount or quantity of the host being required to be valid. I simply took it beyond that, to allay any fears of invalidity.

You cannot prevent small particles becoming airborne when the hosts are broken.

My bad. I should have identified my question as rhetorical.