Should I have stayed out of it?

[SuscipeMeDomine]

Yesterday I went to Mass in a place I was visiting. I was in the second or third pew from the front. After I returned to my pew after communion I saw a problem occur with a communicant receiving the Precious Blood. He jostled the chalice and some of it splashed and spilled. The extraordinary minister had a look of shock on her face and just stood there. The man receiving communion said something to her, perhaps encouraging her to use the purificator, because she started wiping herself off.

She looked down at the spot on the floor and looked like she didn’t know what to do about it. As each person would approach her for communion she would hand them the cup, then look again at the floor. I think she realized that she should do something, but she didn’t know what.

Finally, since it appeared that no one was going to take action, I left my pew and asked one of the ushers to get me a purificator since some of the Precious Blood had been spilled on the floor. He did so and I covered the spot on the floor and told the EM that the priest would help her clean it after Mass. By the time I returned to my pew another usher had come out with a towel, so I guess someone else did notice the problem and took action.

I’m feeling bad about this today, wondering if I should have stayed in my pew and minded my own business. Am I turning into a busybody, sticking my nose in where it doesn’t belong? This was a combination of feeling terrible that Jesus’ blood had been spilled on the floor and simply left there, and feeling sorry for the EM who looked very uncomfortable about the situation and clearly hadn’t received sufficient training to know what to do.

 

[thechrismyster]

never apologize for taking action when others fail to.

you did what you thought was right, and thats that.

was it right? sure it was.

 

[Cathryn]

What you did was correct, courageous and beautiful. Thank you for stepping in where you were needed!!!

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Yesterday I went to Mass in a place I was visiting. I was in the second or third pew from the front. After I returned to my pew after communion I saw a problem occur with a communicant receiving the Precious Blood. He jostled the chalice and some of it splashed and spilled. The extraordinary minister had a look of shock on her face and just stood there. The man receiving communion said something to her, perhaps encouraging her to use the purificator, because she started wiping herself off.

She looked down at the spot on the floor and looked like she didn’t know what to do about it. As each person would approach her for communion she would hand them the cup, then look again at the floor. I think she realized that she should do something, but she didn’t know what.

Finally, since it appeared that no one was going to take action, I left my pew and asked one of the ushers to get me a purificator since some of the Precious Blood had been spilled on the floor. He did so and I covered the spot on the floor and told the EM that the priest would help her clean it after Mass. By the time I returned to my pew another usher had come out with a towel, so I guess someone else did notice the problem and took action.

I’m feeling bad about this today, wondering if I should have stayed in my pew and minded my own business. Am I turning into a busybody, sticking my nose in where it doesn’t belong? This was a combination of feeling terrible that Jesus’ blood had been spilled on the floor and simply left there, and feeling sorry for the EM who looked very uncomfortable about the situation and clearly hadn’t received sufficient training to know what to do.

You did what I would have done.

 

[FrCorey]

Yesterday I went to Mass in a place I was visiting. I was in the second or third pew from the front. After I returned to my pew after communion I saw a problem occur with a communicant receiving the Precious Blood. He jostled the chalice and some of it splashed and spilled. The extraordinary minister had a look of shock on her face and just stood there. The man receiving communion said something to her, perhaps encouraging her to use the purificator, because she started wiping herself off.

She looked down at the spot on the floor and looked like she didn’t know what to do about it. As each person would approach her for communion she would hand them the cup, then look again at the floor. I think she realized that she should do something, but she didn’t know what.

Finally, since it appeared that no one was going to take action, I left my pew and asked one of the ushers to get me a purificator since some of the Precious Blood had been spilled on the floor. He did so and I covered the spot on the floor and told the EM that the priest would help her clean it after Mass. By the time I returned to my pew another usher had come out with a towel, so I guess someone else did notice the problem and took action.

I’m feeling bad about this today, wondering if I should have stayed in my pew and minded my own business. Am I turning into a busybody, sticking my nose in where it doesn’t belong? This was a combination of feeling terrible that Jesus’ blood had been spilled on the floor and simply left there, and feeling sorry for the EM who looked very uncomfortable about the situation and clearly hadn’t received sufficient training to know what to do.

You did the right thing. god bless.

 

[Pax]

Praise the Lord…I’m glad you were there and that you took action. You did the right thing and others that witnessed the event will learn from it.

 

[Pious_Mat]

You may not realise it, but you stood up for Jesus, and I’ll bet He’ll remember it when you need His help.

 

[Chatter163]

The real question here is what did the priest do about it?

 

[Brenda_V]

The real question here is what did the priest do about it?

The Priest may not have seen it and probably took care of it after Mass.

The EMHC realized something needed to be done she just didn’t know what to do and you did the right thing - you went to the right person to get help and got it:thumbsup:!

Brenda V.

 

[CarrieH]

You did the right thing. If I were that EMHC, I would have been very grateful for your help! God bless you.

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

Thanks everyone. I appreciate all your comments and feel much better that I didn’t overstep my proper place. It was one of those situations that you don’t plan for but kind of muddle through as best you can.