Sneezing out the Eucharist?

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Jonathan3

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I know this is a bit of a weird question, but I’m feeling pretty scrupulous about it. Last Sunday after mass I sneezed into my sleeve (I’m a big sun sneezer lol) and I noticed a small piece of the Eucharist now on my sleeve. I quickly consumed it again, but I’m nervous that there are smaller particles that I cant see somewhere on the sleeve and I’m afraid to wash it because of this. Do you guys think its ok if I just go on ahead and wash it? Or should I bring it to the priest? I’m not quite sure what to do…
 
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If you’re concerned that there may be tiny fragments on your sleeve, then after checking it carefully for visible fragments, perhaps wash the garment in a very clean basin of water using no soap, just plain water and then pour the water directly into the soil afterwards, not down the drain.
 
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The sacred species ceases to exist if the particles do not have the appearance of bread. If they are that small there is no worry.
 
Feanor2 said:
The sacred species ceases to exist if the particles do not have the appearance of bread. If they are that small there is no worry.
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Does the physical size of the host determine whether or not the consecrated host (or part of) is the Eucharist? At what size a small fragment of bread become no longer a piece of bread? At what size does a small piece of the Eucharist no long become the Eucharist? Or is it determined by whether or not you can see it clearly? Is that not a subjective determination about the nature of the Eucharist?

I think taking a “If they are small don’t worry” approach is dangerous.
 
I think it is somewhat subjective.

I am merely stating what the Church states on the matter. I’ll look it up.

I don’t think spiritual realities like this can always be pinned down by legalism so the Church has to give general guidelines sometimes.
 
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Did you willfully sin by intentionally sneezing so that the Eucharist would be scattered?

No. Sin? NO!

Please stop worrying (if you can). However, scruples are not something easily controlled. They can be a sign of one of the various anxiety disorders. Now those are 100% treatable, normally without drugs, and can restore peace to you.

Or Lord left us peace. His peace He gave us. If you cannot fully enjoy that peace, ask parents, Father or doctor about it. Scruples don’t just go away. You have to make them go away.
 
Feanor2 said:
I think it is somewhat subjective.

I am merely stating what the Church states on the matter. I’ll look it up.
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How can the nature of the Eucharist be subjective? It’s not as if it can be the Eucharist to one person and not the Eucharist to another. Does it mean that if you can see it, it is the Eucharist, but if you can’t see it, it is not? Is this determined by eye-sight, equipment etc. Or is there a certain dimension beyond which the host is no longer the Eucharist?

Bishop Schneider gave a very good interview on this topic once. I looked to try to find it on YouTube, but couldn’t seem to find it again. I’ll go with the view that fragments of the consecrated host, no matter how small, are indeed still the Eucharist. This isn’t about ‘legalism’ it is about the nature of the Eucharist.
 
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