Self-serve chalice?

[Brendan]

SPQR

I really don’t have a problem with this, in this as you describe the situation.

You might not have a problem, but Rome and the US Bishops do.

GIRM 160

The faithful are not permitted to take the consecrated bread or the sacred chalice by themselves and, still less, to hand them from one to another

And Rome re-articulated that instruction in Redemptionis Sacramentum, with the addition that the newly weds should not pass the chalice to each other.

R.S. 94

[94.] It is not licit for the faithful “to take . . . by themselves . . . and, still less, to hand . . . from one to another” the sacred host or the sacred chalice.[181] Moreover, in this regard, the abuse is to be set aside whereby spouses administer Holy Communion to each other at a Nuptial Mass.

By all means, speak with the priest. Your priest is a human being with feelings.

Yes, take these to the priest and ask him to comment on them.

If he is doing nothing wrong,(because in your dioceses may actually allow the priest to use his own discresion) you would be insulting his integrity.

Jim,

Have you ever read this Canon

Can. 838 §1. The direction of the sacred liturgy depends solely on the authority of the Church which resides in the Apostolic See and, according to the norm of law, the diocesan bishop.

§2. It is for the Apostolic See to order the sacred liturgy of the universal Church, publish liturgical books and review their translations in vernacular languages, and exercise vigilance that liturgical regulations are observed faithfully everywhere.

Where the direction of the Liturgy is soley under Rome, except where Rome has allowed discretion to the bishop.

It would be interesting to see exactly where a bishop would get the authority to offer ‘discretion’ in the matter of GIRM 160 and RS 94. Could you post a link to that Canon please?

Take what people say in this forum with a huge grain of salt,…

I assure you, I most often take what is said on this board with a huge grain of salt, and in some cases, tequilla and a lime

 

[OutinChgoburbs]

He also could have legitimately had someone hold the Cup as an EMHC; the rules allow a one time deputing of the administration of the Cup.

That’s true, too. Why he didn’t, I have no idea- but as I get older, sometimes it take a couple minutes for the mind to engage. Maybe Father had one of those foggy days we all get as we get older.

 

[JimR-OCDS]

Brendan

except this is your interpretation.

It is correct that the laity are not to take communion themselves or hand it to others.

However, this is not what happened in the OP. It was the Priest offered the cup to those present, not a lay person.

Also, GIRM = “General” not “Absolute,” and it is specific in that the Bishop has the authority in his dioceses according to canon law. If you’re a canon lawyer, you might have an argument against the Bishop, but I highly doubt it.

Jim

 

[Brendan]

Brendan

except this is your interpretation.

It is correct that the laity are not to take communion themselves or hand it to others.

However, this is not what happened in the OP. It was the Priest offered the cup to those present, not a lay person.

Not quite, here is what the OP said

but left the chalice on the altar for people to go up to and take for themselves.

Also, GIRM = “General” not “Absolute,” and it is specific in that the Bishop has the authority in his dioceses according to canon law. If you’re a canon lawyer, you might have an argument against the Bishop, but I highly doubt it.

Jim

Jim, I think we just hit upon a mutually agreeable path forward.

Perhaps the OP should discuss this with their Diocese’s Judical Vicar.

That person is the Canon Law who has the authority to interpret Canon Law in the Diocese. They are the person the Faithful in the Diocese may go to for a Diocesan approved decision on Canon Law.

And if there is any further doubt, Canon Law also provides for an clarification from Rome on any decisions rendered by a Judicial Vicar.

 

[frnate]

I recently read an interesting thing- most Catholics today do self-communicate.

If one recieves in the hand, their hand becomes in effect a ciborium from which the communicant takes the host and places it in their own mouth. In recieving from the chalice, the communicant takes the chalice into their own hands to drink from it.

Communion in the hand is an abomination. However, if someone who is used to partaking in that fashion visits my parish I don’t refuse to let them do so. I will try to subtly offer the Host toward their mouth first until they make it clear that they prefer the other way.

That said, God is also all merciful and in the grand scheme of things I think communion in the hand is probably way down the list of things that He might think needs correction.

Peace,
+N