Self-intinction

[benedictgal]

Phemie,

The method of using individual glasses versus a common chalice is mainly one of efficiency and sanitation. It is faster, and certainly more hygenic. A distribution to about 400 or so of the faithful can be done in 10 minutes or abouts.

But, it is not something that the Church allows. In fact, there is no Tradition of this. The other problem is that the Protestant ecclesial communities view communion as symbolic. They do hnot believe in the Real Presence of Jesus in Holy Communion.

Furthermore, because the Church takes the words of her Divine Spouse to heart, at the moment of the Consecration, the bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Jesus. The Church requires that only vessels made of precious materials (gold and silver) be used to contain the sacred hosts and the Precious Blood.

There are greater concerns here than efficiency.

As for offering both kinds, the Church does allow for the employment of intinction, but, only the priest and the bishop can do this.

We also need to bear in mind that Christ is wholly and fully present in either of the Sacred Species. While Holy Communion under both kinds may represent a fuller sign, we still receive the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Christ under either of the Sacred Species.

 

[Senecus]

Hello BenedictGal,

I wasn’t aware the Chalice has to be of a precious metal. I thought I saw a few chalices that were of a certain type of hard, special wood - - perhaps Olive or Rose wood, I’m not sure. But that practice may have been unofficial or ended.

(By the way, Lutherans and Anglican/Episcopalians also believe the Real Presence of Christ is present at the Lords Table).

Thanks for the info - - from a former La Posada resident . . .

 

[BernadetteM]

Hello, what is FSSP?
I asked about intinction in RCIA & we were told it was forbidden unless the priest did the intinction. I am converting from the Episcopal church where this was common.

I was a former Episcopalian and never saw any one self intinct. The priest in an Anglo Catholic parish would take the host from your hands and intinct and place it on your tongue or one would receive from the chalice, only the priest also placed the edge of the chalice to your lips.

I guess things have really changed in TEC.

God Bless

Bernadette

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

Phemie,

The method of using individual glasses versus a common chalice is mainly one of efficiency and sanitation. It is faster, and certainly more hygenic. A distribution to about 400 or so of the faithful can be done in 10 minutes or abouts.

You may not know that because Catholics believe in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist, we treat even the least bit of remaining communion in a reverent way. After communion, there is a bit of the Precious Blood remaining in the chalice(s). The chalices are purified – water is poured in and then the priest or deacon consumes the mixture of water and remaining Precious Blood before the chalice is cleaned.

Now think what Catholics would have to do with those 400 little cups.

 

[Aramis]

But, it is not something that the Church allows. In fact, there is no Tradition of this. The other problem is that the Protestant ecclesial communities view communion as symbolic. They do hnot believe in the Real Presence of Jesus in Holy Communion.

Most Lutheran Synods DO believe in the real presence, but only during communion. Consubstantiation, rather than transubstantiation, but still, a belief in the real presence.

And the Lutherans are the primary group I’ve heard of using individual glass communion cups.

The reasons it would be impractical in a Roman Church context are much simpler than lack of tradition: purification and suitable materials.

The individual glass communion cups are not suitable material, per RS and the GIRM. Individual cups might be, if suitable in material. And, in fact, I’ve seen a separate chalice used for one individual. (I’m presuming they were gluten intolerant, since they were the only individual communed with that separate chalice, and it was that chalice alone.)

The issue of separate cups for each communicant is one that means lots of time spent purificating. Since we Catholics, unlike the Lutherans, believe in Transubstatiation, that means that, even after communion, the wine is still the Blood of Christ. This also means a cleric or installed Acolyte to purificate each vessel. It also means each has to be rinsed and consumed, or rinsed by hand and poured into the sacrarium. The irreverence isn’t the mode of communion, but the cleaning required after. It won’t be the deliberate and considered act the Church expects it to be, and it certainly is impractical to purificate so many within the scope of a single mass.

I could see individual communion cups, with gold cups, for a small group with highly communicable diseases in a health care facility for Christmas, Easter or certain other special feasts… but not for a general use even there. Even so, it would be a case of a priest and/or deacon spending a considerable time purificating, and then sterilizing, the cups after.

 

[Senecus]

SuscipeMeDomine & Aramis,

Thank you for the additional historical information about the Catholic eucharistic traditions (e.g., about the perpetual nature of the wine/blood and bread/body).

Based on this, I see your points and concede individual glasses would be problematic.

 

[Phemie]

Returned to that parish for Mass tonight and saw that self-intinction is the usual way for the EMHCs to receive Communion.

The priest first presented the chalice to an EMCH who intincted his own Host and received, then took the chalice from the priest and went to present it to the rest of the EMHCs so that they in turn could intinct their Hosts.

 

[Aramis]

Returned to that parish for Mass tonight and saw that self-intinction is the usual way for the EMHCs to receive Communion.

The priest first presented the chalice to an EMCH who intincted his own Host and received, then took the chalice from the priest and went to present it to the rest of the EMHCs so that they in turn could intinct their Hosts.

Per RS, you have a duty to protect the eucharist. The prescribed method is to write to the bishop.

 

[ilySHJ]

Hey, I go to the FSSP as often as I can. I don’t have to worry about garbage such as this. Why would anyone persist in attending Masses where this stuff happens?

Because we are fortunate to have a priest! Doubly fortunate that he has taught the faithful to kneel for the Eucharistic Prayer - it’s not like they were kind to him about it. He’s the first to do so in 20 years.

From here to the next nearest Mass is one hour and to one where they kneel is 2 hours. I don’t know how far it would be to an FSSP.

Since moving here a few years ago, praying for priests has become part of my morning prayer and evening prayer. Priests here have 3 and 4 parishes in different towns and drive great distances between them.

Pray for priests!

 

[Brendan]

Phemie,

The method of using individual glasses versus a common chalice is mainly one of efficiency and sanitation. It is faster, and certainly more hygenic. A distribution to about 400 or so of the faithful can be done in 10 minutes or abouts…

Where is a parish going to get 400 gold cups, and can you imagine how long it would take the priest to correctly purifiy the vessels afterward??

 

[Senecus]

Yes, I understand the issues more clearly now. Thanks.

 

[stephraim]

From the General Instruction of the Roman Missal:

"328. Sacred vessels are to be made from precious metal. If they are made from metal that rusts or from a metal less precious than gold, then ordinarily they should be gilded on the inside.

1. In the Dioceses of the United States of America, sacred vessels may also be made from other solid materials that, according to the common estimation in each region, are precious, for example, ebony or other hard woods, provided that such materials are suited to sacred use and do not easily break or deteriorate. This applies to all vessels which hold the hosts, such as the paten, the ciborium, the pyx, the monstrance, and other things of this kind.
2. As regards chalices and other vessels that are intended to serve as receptacles for the Blood of the Lord, they are to have bowls of nonabsorbent material. The base, on the other hand, may be made of other solid and worthy materials.
3. For the consecration of hosts, a large paten may appropriately be used; on it is placed the bread for the priest and the deacon as well as for the other ministers and for the faithful.
4. As to the form of the sacred vessels, the artist may fashion them in a manner that is more in keeping with the customs of each region, provided each vessel is suited to the intended liturgical use and is clearly distinguishable from those intended for everyday use."