Questions on Communion

[Fair_Lady]

When does the priest who administers the communion receive communion for himself - before or after the others have partaken of it? Who serves the host to him? Does the same apply to the Pope?

 

[puzzleannie]

the celebrant of the Mass takes and eats the consecrated Body and Blood of the Lord at the proper time in the celebration, namely after the fraction rite, and before communion is given to anyone else, including any ministers who will assist in distribution. Concelebrants consume together at this time. Nobody “gives” communion to the celebrant priest he takes it himself as an essential part of the Eucharist. This applies to the Pope and any other priest or bishop who is celebrating Mass.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

When does the priest who administers the communion receive communion for himself - before or after the others have partaken of it? Who serves the host to him? Does the same apply to the Pope?

The Celebrating priest(s) receive Holy Communion under both forms before leaving the altar to distribute Communion to the faithful. At this point in the Mass the Pope himself is acting as a simple priest. You will notice that he has removed any head covering before beginning the Consecration.

 

[japhy]

When does the priest who administers the communion receive communion for himself - before or after the others have partaken of it?

The priest says: “This is the Lamb of God…” and the congregation responds “Lord, I am not worthy…”. Then the priest says a private prayer and self-communicates (that is, he administers Communion to himself). Then he administers it to others.

 

[peary]

When does the priest who administers the communion receive communion for himself - before or after the others have partaken of it? Who serves the host to him? Does the same apply to the Pope?

If you are watching the Consecration, immediately afterward the priest consumes both the Host and the wine himself. He does not need anyone to serve it to him. The same applies to the pope.

 

[Phemie]

If you are watching the Consecration, immediately afterward the priest consumes both the Host and the wine himself. He does not need anyone to serve it to him. The same applies to the pope.

Not immediately after the Consecration. There is still much that happens between the Consecration and the priest’s Communion, which happens just before he gives Communion to the ministers who are in the sanctuary.

Unless that is, you have priests like ours who never self-communicate until they’ve given the Body of Christ to all the ministers and then all consume at the same time, in violation of the rubrics.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Not immediately after the Consecration. There is still much that happens between the Consecration and the priest’s Communion, which happens just before he gives Communion to the ministers who are in the sanctuary.

Unless that is, you have priests like ours who never self-communicate until they’ve given the Body of Christ to all the ministers and then all consume at the same time, in violation of the rubrics.

So when is your Bishop going to put a stop to it?

 

[Phemie]

So when is your Bishop going to put a stop to it?

Your guess is as good as mine.

 

[Fair_Lady]

Thanks for the responses. Now a question about the bell at communion, I believe it has to do with the consecration of the bread and wine. Who rings the bell and how do they know when to ring it? What is the significance or what is the purpose of the bell?

 

[peary]

Thanks for the responses. Now a question about the bell at communion, I believe it has to do with the consecration of the bread and wine. Who rings the bell and how do they know when to ring it? What is the significance or what is the purpose of the bell?

The bell rings to bring our attention to the Consecration. It is rung when the priest holds up, first, the consecrated Host, and second, the chalice of wine.

The bell is rung by the altar servers. But it is an option; it isn’t mandatory anymore.

Here is a great explanation about it:

ewtn.com/library/Liturgy/zlitur94.htm

 

[bpbasilphx]

Thanks for the responses. Now a question about the bell at communion, I believe it has to do with the consecration of the bread and wine. Who rings the bell and how do they know when to ring it? What is the significance or what is the purpose of the bell?

The original purpose of the altar bell was to signal the tower bell ringers, so they could sound the church bells to let those who were not at the Mass know what was happening at that point.