Receiving on the tongue without a paten

[ElizabethPH]

Last Sunday we had a visiting priest and he barely got the Eucharist where it was supposed to be. And I DO stick out my tongue to give him plenty of area to place the Holy Eucharist. This is the first time really I came close to dropping it…for the first time I am petrified without the safety net of the paten; it would be so easy to happen. I used to receive in my hands until I felt uncomfortable about that because of bits that I might not see ending up on the floor. We have a suggestion box…I’m going to suggest bringing back the paten. I know it probably wouldn’t do any good but is it worth the try?

Elizabeth

 

[rpp]

Accidents do happen. Personally, I do feel more comfortable when a paten is used. However, for most my Catholic life it was not. At my new parish , altar boys (they do not allow girls or use EMHCs) follow the priest with the paten. Where I attend daily Mass, the priest there has no servers so he always puts the ciborium in a position to catch the Host.

But accidents do happen. At this pas Sunday Mass, the priest, and elderly man whose hands have become a bit shaky, dropped the Host after elevating it. The horrified look that flashed on his face, and the scattered gasps from parishioners, was a good reminder of how precious Holy Communion is.

 

[Our_Refuge]

From the GIRM
usccb.org/liturgy/current/chapter4.shtml

1. The following are also to be prepared:
   Next to the priest’s chair: the Missal and, as needed, a hymnal;
   At the ambo: the Lectionary;
   On the credence table: the chalice, a corporal, a purificator, and, if appropriate, the pall; the paten and, if needed, ciboria; bread for the Communion of the priest who presides, the deacon, the ministers, and the people; cruets containing the wine and the water, unless all of these are presented by the faithful in procession at the Offertory; the vessel of water to be blessed, if the asperges occurs; the Communion-plate for the Communion of the faithful; and whatever is needed for the washing of hands

Redemptionis Sacramentum
vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/ccdds/documents/rc_con_ccdds_doc_20040423_redemptionis-sacramentum_en.html

[93.] **The Communion-plate **for the Communion of the faithful should be retained, so as to avoid the danger of the sacred host or some fragment of it falling.

 

[japhy]

We have a suggestion box…I’m going to suggest bringing back the paten. I know it probably wouldn’t do any good but is it worth the try?

The Church supports you in your endeavor: “The Communion-plate for the Communion of the faithful should be retained, so as to avoid the danger of the sacred host or some fragment of it falling.” (2004, Redemptionis Sacramentum, n. 93)

I hope your pastor prayerfully considers your request and answers positively.

 

[jkarp]

From the GIRM
usccb.org/liturgy/current/chapter4.shtml

1. The following are also to be prepared:
   Next to the priest’s chair: the Missal and, as needed, a hymnal;
   At the ambo: the Lectionary;
   On the credence table: the chalice, a corporal, a purificator, and, if appropriate, the pall; the paten and, if needed, ciboria; bread for the Communion of the priest who presides, the deacon, the ministers, and the people; cruets containing the wine and the water, unless all of these are presented by the faithful in procession at the Offertory; the vessel of water to be blessed, if the asperges occurs; the Communion-plate for the Communion of the faithful; and whatever is needed for the washing of hands

Redemptionis Sacramentum
vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/ccdds/documents/rc_con_ccdds_doc_20040423_redemptionis-sacramentum_en.html

[93.] **The Communion-plate **for the Communion of the faithful should be retained, so as to avoid the danger of the sacred host or some fragment of it falling.

In my experience, an experienced priest or well-trained EMHC will hold the paten (or bowl paten) underneath when administering communion on the tongue.

 

[Jennifer_G]

Last Sunday we had a visiting priest and he barely got the Eucharist where it was supposed to be. And I DO stick out my tongue to give him plenty of area to place the Holy Eucharist. This is the first time really I came close to dropping it…for the first time I am petrified without the safety net of the paten; it would be so easy to happen. I used to receive in my hands until I felt uncomfortable about that because of bits that I might not see ending up on the floor. We have a suggestion box…I’m going to suggest bringing back the paten. I know it probably wouldn’t do any good but is it worth the try?

Elizabeth

I nearly had one drop when an EMHC tried to stick it in my mouth as I was saying “Amen”. I quickly brought my hand under it, and my upper lip over it to get it in my mouth.

 

[MarieVeronica]

I feel for you, Elizabeth. This is a big worry for anyone who receives on the tongue. I worry about it, too.

How I wish that use of the paten would return! Another problem, is if you cup your hands below your chin… they might think you want to receive in the hand.

Just be as vigilant as you can… remember, that Our dear Lord knows your heart… and your concern for reverence, and His safety. And by all means… try the suggestion box.

If enough suggestions of this nature are received… we may even see these changes (which, in many cases… are simply a return to the old ways) implemented in our life time. God bless you.

 

[muffinmojo]

As an altar server, I hold the paten on occasion and I must tell you…we’ve had some close calls, but they were all with receiving in the hand. The Host sticks to the tongue, so I’ve never seen any accidents with it received that way. On my second time serving, though, I caught a Host dropped by a lady, which really brought the importance of what I was doing to my attention ie don’t space out when holding the paten.

 

[Michael038]

Last Sunday we had a visiting priest and he barely got the Eucharist where it was supposed to be. And I DO stick out my tongue to give him plenty of area to place the Holy Eucharist. This is the first time really I came close to dropping it…for the first time I am petrified without the safety net of the paten; it would be so easy to happen. I used to receive in my hands until I felt uncomfortable about that because of bits that I might not see ending up on the floor. We have a suggestion box…I’m going to suggest bringing back the paten. I know it probably wouldn’t do any good but is it worth the try?

Elizabeth

I havent seen a paten since the 70’s in our church. Most people in my parish today receive in the hand about 95%. If your that concerned and they dont have the paten I would just receive in my hand.

 

[Rickwood]

In my experience, an experienced priest or well-trained EMHC will hold the paten (or bowl paten) underneath when administering communion on the tongue.

Exactly. This technique obviates the need of a communion paten. I think some are focused more on the symbolism of the paten (some of which is important) and less on its function.

 

[ElizabethPH]

Hi,
jkarp and rickwood and michael

I have not noticed that the priest does this. I usually close my eyes after the Amen. And I haven’t noticed that the priest has moved the ciborium under my chin. I don’t go in the EMHC line.

I mentioned in the op why I don’t receive any longer in the hand. I have experienced bits of the Eucharist fall away in my hand and have retrieved them; but I am left to wonder how many times I have missed this.