Redemptionis Sacramentum and EMHC?

[Harpazo]

Hello.

After reading through this document, I’ve become aware that EMHCs are allowed but should never be the norm. I don’t understand how it has become this way, as a normal part of Mass.

Starting at paragraph 154 to 168 (Chapter 7) it outlines it very well, in my opinion. Why are parishes still allowing this? I know I’ll hear that “it will take to long because there are so many people.” I think that’s a bogus excuse, because if you go to the Holy Mass, you should be willing to give up your time for God, is 10, 15 or maybe even 20 minutes going to hurt you?

This is a problem at my parish, and the Deacon was saying how they need more EMHCs. I almost felt like telling him after Mass that they aren’t absolutely necessary, and aren’t what was intended at all, but I bit my tongue.

Is there anything I can do to help the parish be in line? I don’t want to come off as holier than thou, so please don’t think that. I just want to see my parish to be in line with the Magisterium and Pope.

Any advice or comments are appreciated, except hounding me. I’m still learning.

In Pax Christi
Andrew

 

[Hellisreal]

Deacon? I only see mine when the archbishop is coming by.

You dont know how blessed you are apparently.

It can be much more bleak, and if this is all it takes, hang on baby its a bumpy ride.

Hello.

After reading through this document, I’ve become aware that EMHCs are allowed but should never be the norm. I don’t understand how it has become this way, as a normal part of Mass.

Starting at paragraph 154 to 168 (Chapter 7) it outlines it very well, in my opinion. Why are parishes still allowing this? I know I’ll hear that “it will take to long because there are so many people.” I think that’s a bogus excuse, because if you go to the Holy Mass, you should be willing to give up your time for God, is 10, 15 or maybe even 20 minutes going to hurt you?

This is a problem at my parish, and the Deacon was saying how they need more EMHCs. I almost felt like telling him after Mass that they aren’t absolutely necessary, and aren’t what was intended at all, but I bit my tongue.

Is there anything I can do to help the parish be in line? I don’t want to come off as holier than thou, so please don’t think that. I just want to see my parish to be in line with the Magisterium and Pope.

Any advice or comments are appreciated, except hounding me. I’m still learning.

In Pax Christi
Andrew

 

[otjm]

It would seem that a certain amount of the complaints about EMHCs is not really directed at how many are used, but that they are used at all.

People are welcome to their personal opinion as to the propriety, but Rome has allowed the use of them. Rome seems to expect common sense, and the problem with common sense, is, of course, that it is not common.

Our parish has three EMHCs administering the Host along with the pastor; and 6 administering the Cup on Sunday. The church is built in the half-round, and so there are four lines of Communion. I have never timed it, but Communion takes about 4 to five verses of the first Communion hymn, and the larger of the two morning Masses takes up another hymn of three to four verses - and they are not sung rapidly; the other Mass goes pretty well through both hymns. If someone has a clue as to how much time that is, feel free to chime in, but I haven’t put a stop watch to it, as that is time I spend with the Lord.

And before everyone decides that this is horrible, let’s put it in perspective; our pastor is well into his 70’s, and the assistant, who is getting himself shipped off on mission to Belize, is 80 (they are Jesuits, and unlike the diocesan priests, do not have a retirement age). So if someone has the gall to demand that either of these priests spend another 15 minutes on their feet distributing Communion, feel free, but I guarantee it will fall on deaf ears.

Oh, and there are 4 Masses on a weekend - one Saturday evening, 2 Sunday morning, and one Sunday evening. A year ago, before we had the assistant, the pastor said all 4 Masses.

I have no question that in some circumstances they - EMHCs - are overused; but I suspect that if one were to have all the facts at their command, it might not be quite as often as proposed. We seem to be awfully quick to critique a situation when we have not walked in someone else’s shoes.

 

[Lux_et_Tenebrae]

Hi,

Years ago, there were more priests, and there was always other priests to come and help with distribution of Holy Communion.

The scheduling is usually left to the Pastor, and the use of EMHC is his decision. We have 7 Masses on the weekend, and if Communion takes too long it just makes the traffic problem and parking worse than it is, and even more people will be late for the next Mass. (as well as the consideration for older priests on their feet the extra time)

If you feel there is a problem, RS also tells you how to address it. First speak politely and respectfully with the Pastor, and then go to the Bishop if you are not satisfied with the response. I’ve never heard of the number of EMHC changed, unless there was a significant rise or drop in the size of the congregation, or a new Pastor.

Lux

 

[Brendan]

Hi,

Years ago, there were more priests, and there was always other priests to come and help with distribution of Holy Communion.

The scheduling is usually left to the Pastor, and the use of EMHC is his decision. We have 7 Masses on the weekend, and if Communion takes too long it just makes the traffic problem

If you have 7 Masses, then that means that you have at least 2 priests. Are both priests involved with the distrubution of Communion at each Mass?

and parking worse than it is, and even more people will be late for the next Mass. (as well as the consideration for older priests on their feet the extra time)

We have our pastor, and a 91 year old priest in residence at our parish. Both distrubute Communion at each Mass. And, since we offer both species by Intinction, our parish does not use an EMCH’s to distribute Communion from the chalice

( and since we use a communion rail, the 2 priests usually suffice to distribute Communion to the entire parish in a reasonable time. It really is a lot faster that way )

If you feel there is a problem, RS also tells you how to address it. First speak politely and respectfully with the Pastor, and then go to the Bishop if you are not satisfied with the response. I’ve never heard of the number of EMHC changed, unless there was a significant rise or drop in the size of the congregation, or a new Pastor.

Lux

yes, ask the priest to offer both species via intinction, that alone will drop the number of EMHC in half ( if not more). It always helps when you bring forward a solution.

 

[Sure]

This is an interesting topic…

What constitutes an inconvenience? Is 25-30 minutes too long for Communion? (I’m talking about one species)

Are there any Bishop’s who don’t use EMHC? From what I have seen nearly all of them do, including Bishops who are known for their orthodoxy.

 

[buffalo]

Many times we have an extra priest and a deacon in the Church during Mass. They are content to let the EMofHC distribute.

 

[otjm]

Many times we have an extra priest and a deacon in the Church during Mass. They are content to let the EMofHC distribute.

And that is clearly wrong. They are the ones who are to distribute Communion by right and by office. If they both came forward and did os, it would not necessarily mean there would be no EMHCs, but there would be two fewer.

 

[buffalo]

And that is clearly wrong. They are the ones who are to distribute Communion by right and by office. If they both came forward and did os, it would not necessarily mean there would be no EMHCs, but there would be two fewer.

In addition there is disunity in posture during Mass. You would think the Deacon would give us the stand or kneel sign. They just stand there.