Skipping Communion Line because of Status

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I work at a University with a church inside. This morning I noticed the altar boy go to the Provost separately to hand him communion privately while the very small 8am crowd went to the middle. I was disheartened and don’t want to judge him as someone whom exalts himself but if this is the case is not the priest enabling this exaltation of self. I’m hoping there is a church explanation for this but I’ve gone to mass daily and never saw anything like it. I heard the priest say “so and so is here…” which I’m guessing was the instruction to give him communion separately. He also sits away from everyone else.

My husband says God will humble those who exalt themselves. I’ve been going to mass daily here for almost a year and this high level executive I’ve seen the past 2 days with this special treatment. I find it hard to be in the middle of this experience. May I please have your thoughts. Thank you.
 
Could he maybe be gluten intolerant and getting a special host?

Why would you jump to the.comclusion you did?
 
Oneofthewomen said:
Could he maybe be gluten intolerant and getting a special host?

Why would you jump to the.comclusion you did?
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That’s a good point. I thought I saw him take it before with us at a special mass however. I think because of the way he distances himself at every mass from the rest of us who sit in the middle to answer your other question and his highest status in the university. That’s the reason I came to the conclusion that perhaps he feels entitled. I already asked God to remove that ugly bitterness I felt when I initially thought that. Thank you for answering.
 
I would second that opinion. In our parish I have heard the priest quietly point out when noticing someone who is gluten intolerant, and giving instructions as to assisting them at Communion time – which might be in the form of a low-gluten host (which the priest cannot himself touch because of particles of the regular hosts on his fingers), or even asking the individual to wait so Father can administer the cup alone following regular communion. If it were a true “status” issue I don’t think “status” would be servd by having the “altar boy” distribute the Eucharist. (Altar boy giving Commnion . . . .??)
 
Thank you both but I honestly thought I remember him taking the host from the rest and then walking over to the individual who was already walking in his own aisle , in which case it wouldn’t be gluten free.
 
I forgot to mention he also left right after communion without the final blessing. I have no idea why this is bothering me but I will put it in prayer. Thank you
 
This is one of those times where you should focus on your own spiritual life rather than other peoples behaviour
 
I used to let stuff like this bother me but now I just focus on Jesus and hardly notice what other people are doing.

Look down, say a prayer and enjoy your time with Christ.

God bless.
C.
 
He may have gotten a pyx to take to the homebound.
At any rate, it’s none of your concern. Clearly there is a good reason, of which there could numerous ones.
 
CatholicMomm, would you consider approaching the provost directly and sharing your concerns face-to-face? Ask whether they feel superior to everyone else?

Would you go up and ask the priest what’s going on and why that person was given Communion separately?

Would you tell the priest or the provost that you ‘notice’ this disheartening practice has been going on for a while now?

No, you probably wouldn’t.

That would be too embarrassing.
 
CatholicMomm said:
I work at a University with a church inside. This morning I noticed the altar boy go to the Provost separately to hand him communion privately while the very small 8am crowd went to the middle. I was disheartened and don’t want to judge him as someone whom exalts himself but if this is the case is not the priest enabling this exaltation of self. I’m hoping there is a church explanation for this but I’ve gone to mass daily and never saw anything like it. I heard the priest say “so and so is here…” which I’m guessing was the instruction to give him communion separately. He also sits away from everyone else.

My husband says God will humble those who exalt themselves. I’ve been going to mass daily here for almost a year and this high level executive I’ve seen the past 2 days with this special treatment. I find it hard to be in the middle of this experience. May I please have your thoughts. Thank you.
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I’m sorry to have to say this, but I really think you are out of line to be concerning yourself so much with other people’s possible vices. Not only do you not know the whole story (as has already been pointed out), but even if you did, it is none of your business!

What does it benefit you to even think about this? Is someone being harmed? You only need to worry about yourself and those who are under your authority. Please don’t let yourself get caught up in other people’s actions, since that will be a major blockage to your own growth in the spiritual life.
 
dshix said:
I’m sorry to have to say this, but I really think you are out of line to be concerning yourself so much with other people’s possible vices. Not only do you not know the whole story (as has already been pointed out), but even if you did, it is none of your business!

What does it benefit you to even think about this? Is someone being harmed? You only need to worry about yourself and those who are under your authority. Please don’t let yourself get caught up in other people’s actions, since that will be a major blockage to your own growth in the spiritual life.
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Thank you, to all.
 
CatholicMomm said:
Thank you, to all.
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I see you are an observing member. Please don’t be afraid to ask questions.
I joined the Catholic church almost 9 years ago and sometimes I saw things I
didn’t understand.
Now I just take things in stride and don’t let it bother me.
I don’t know where you are in your Catholic journey a revert, a convert, or a cradle-
Catholic, but we are happy you are here and please don’t hesitate to ask any questions
you might have.
 
7_Sorrows said:
I see you are an observing member. Please don’t be afraid to ask questions.
I joined the Catholic church almost 9 years ago and sometimes I saw things I
didn’t understand.
Now I just take things in stride and don’t let it bother me.
I don’t know where you are in your Catholic journey a revert, a convert, or a cradle-
Catholic, but we are happy you are here and please don’t hesitate to ask any questions
you might have.
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Thank you so much! I just thanked the Lord for these responses because I felt He disciplines those he loves. I certainly didn’t have control over the instant emotional response I had so I was eager to question this and everyone pretty much said the same. Thank you and the other poster that said it used to bother them but no more, (and all) a loving reminder to not let it bother me gave me the breathe of relief that was significant. It could be true or not, either way, it is his walk, not mine. Thank you.
 
7_Sorrows said:
I see you are an observing member. Please don’t be afraid to ask questions.
I joined the Catholic church almost 9 years ago and sometimes I saw things I
didn’t understand.
Now I just take things in stride and don’t let it bother me.
I don’t know where you are in your Catholic journey a revert, a convert, or a cradle-
Catholic, but we are happy you are here and please don’t hesitate to ask any questions
you might have.
Click to expand...
It’s good that there are people like you around to give kind advice to temper the hard-line people like me. 🙂 Everyone would go away if it wasn’t so. 😛
 
Don’t worry about the speck (if any) in his eye. Worry about the log in your own. Avert your eyes during Communion. Focus on the inside of your eyelids.
 
venite_adoremus said:
Don’t worry about the speck (if any) in his eye. Worry about the log in your own. Avert your eyes during Communion. Focus on the inside of your eyelids.
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That’s how you trip over the guy in front of you! Celebrate with all! Smile, you are receiving the Lord!

Learn the i before e rule so you don’t have to keep going back and fixing your posts! 😃
 
CatholicMomm said:
I work at a University with a church inside. This morning I noticed the altar boy go to the Provost separately to hand him communion privately while the very small 8am crowd went to the middle. I was disheartened and don’t want to judge him as someone whom exalts himself but if this is the case is not the priest enabling this exaltation of self. I’m hoping there is a church explanation for this but I’ve gone to mass daily and never saw anything like it. I heard the priest say “so and so is here…” which I’m guessing was the instruction to give him communion separately. He also sits away from everyone else.

My husband says God will humble those who exalt themselves. I’ve been going to mass daily here for almost a year and this high level executive I’ve seen the past 2 days with this special treatment. I find it hard to be in the middle of this experience. May I please have your thoughts. Thank you.
Click to expand...
Hello there. I’ve never encountered this type of situation, but I have sometimes noticed things at Mass that confuse me, too. I’ve also had the same reaction as you had- sometimes someone rubs me the wrong day, for whatever reason, and it irks me. Perhaps I’m sleep-deprived or hormonal, or yielding to temptation- after all, some temptations are very subtle.

If this kind of thing comes up again, I’d recommend praying about the situation first. That’s really helped me. I remind myself that God knows that person’s heart and I don’t. I also pray for a deeper spirit of fraternal love and understanding. Then, if your concern persists, you could quietly inquire with the priest about this. It may be like the other posters stated about the man requiring a gluten-free host or something of that nature.

God bless you.🙂
 
Jennifoo said:
Then, if your concern persists, you could quietly inquire with the priest about this. It may be like the other posters stated about the man requiring a gluten-free host or something of that nature.
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As a priest, i would caution against too ready of a willingness to do this.

Over the many years, I have done many things that are outside of the typical. I remember cases of persons I allowed to assist at Mass in the sacristy or in the choir loft, as but one example. As the parish priest I allowed it and I knew the reason for doing so. It was my decision. It did not concern anyone else nor was it not any of their affair…in any way.

I have had, over the years, people who wished to sit in a corner apart because they were contending with something they did not wish to expose to others as well as others with the reverse situation…who had a compromised immune system, for one reason or another, and needed to limit exposure to others – conditions which also are not the concern of anyone beyond whom they choose to share that with.

I have on occasion reminded overly inquisitive parishioners that they needed to curb and to mortify their curiosity, above all in things with which they have absolutely no concern. rankly, I have found too great of a desire to satisfy vain and idle curiosity at the needless discomfort of others.

If someone needs a special provision made for them, it is enough that they have the need of a special provision and that their parish priest has accommodated the needed provision.

In the matter of the original post, if the person in question has received the Eucharist in an atypical fashion by arrangement of the celebrant of the Mass, it is the celebrant of the Mass who is the minister of the Eucharist and the matter rests with him – and is certainly not in the jurisdiction or prerogative of review of a lay person sitting in the nave.

Similarly, if the person had to leave before the dismissal, again the lay person attending Mass is not a liturgical policeman. The person who left early…and indeed any other…does not owe any lay member of the liturgical assembly an explanation; they may owe one to the parish priest but not to a fellow lay person attending Mass.
 
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