Special hosts for shuts ins etc

[5Loaves]

I was approached today by a close friend in my parish who is part of the ministry team that brings Holy Eucharist to those in nursing homes, shut ins etc. . This ministry team wants to reorder special hosts that have been used for this ministry and have run out, hosts which apparently are thinner and easier for infirm and elderly to consume. Several people and one of the other parish ministries are willing to pay for these. She was told by the pastor they may not order them as it would “confuse people” to have these hosts (which already have been in the sacristy well labeled for quite some time). (Our pastor is not normally involved directly with administering the Precious Body to these impaired folks tho in his many years as a priest I think he must at some times have done this ministry directly.)

This is coming to me second hand. I am only taking her word and offering my suggestion to her. I suggested my friend provide some documentation about the need for these special hosts in a written letter to our priest. She isn’t on line so I offered to look for information to provide.

I would appreciate specific references to anything concrete about the value of using such special hosts for Holy Eucharist to infirm and elderly with trouble swallowing “normal” hosts. (Our normal hosts are quite substantial.) I am not interested in hearing any “dissing” comments about my pastor. He is a very busy guy with no associate, a large parish and a great deal on his plate. I’m only interested in a positive approach to forwarding the concern of this ministry team.

Thanks in advance for any specific referrals to information that would be useful in preparing a useful letter regarding the need for special hosts for this population of sick and elderly.

 

[johnXXIII]

I was approached today by a close friend in my parish who is part of the ministry team that brings Holy Eucharist to those in nursing homes, shut ins etc. . This ministry team wants to reorder special hosts that have been used for this ministry and have run out, hosts which apparently are thinner and easier for infirm and elderly to consume. Several people and one of the other parish ministries are willing to pay for these. She was told by the pastor they may not order them as it would “confuse people” to have these hosts (which already have been in the sacristy well labeled for quite some time). (Our pastor is not normally involved directly with administering the Precious Body to these impaired folks tho in his many years as a priest I think he must at some times have done this ministry directly.)

This is coming to me second hand. I am only taking her word and offering my suggestion to her. I suggested my friend provide some documentation about the need for these special hosts in a written letter to our priest. She isn’t on line so I offered to look for information to provide.

I would appreciate specific references to anything concrete about the value of using such special hosts for Holy Eucharist to infirm and elderly with trouble swallowing “normal” hosts. (Our normal hosts are quite substantial.) I am not interested in hearing any “dissing” comments about my pastor. He is a very busy guy with no associate, a large parish and a great deal on his plate. I’m only interested in a positive approach to forwarding the concern of this ministry team.

Thanks in advance for any specific referrals to information that would be useful in preparing a useful letter regarding the need for special hosts for this population of sick and elderly.

Don’t waste you time or money on special hosts !!!
Your pastor may not always be right, but he is always your pastor !
What I do is break off a smaller piece of the host enough to place in the
mouth and tell them to just let it desolve naturally;’’ think of Jesus’’

 

[Seatuck]

I was approached today by a close friend in my parish who is part of the ministry team that brings Holy Eucharist to those in nursing homes, shut ins etc. . This ministry team wants to reorder special hosts that have been used for this ministry and have run out, hosts which apparently are thinner and easier for infirm and elderly to consume. Several people and one of the other parish ministries are willing to pay for these. She was told by the pastor they may not order them as it would “confuse people” to have these hosts (which already have been in the sacristy well labeled for quite some time). (Our pastor is not normally involved directly with administering the Precious Body to these impaired folks tho in his many years as a priest I think he must at some times have done this ministry directly.)

This is coming to me second hand. I am only taking her word and offering my suggestion to her. I suggested my friend provide some documentation about the need for these special hosts in a written letter to our priest. She isn’t on line so I offered to look for information to provide.

I would appreciate specific references to anything concrete about the value of using such special hosts for Holy Eucharist to infirm and elderly with trouble swallowing “normal” hosts. (Our normal hosts are quite substantial.) I am not interested in hearing any “dissing” comments about my pastor. He is a very busy guy with no associate, a large parish and a great deal on his plate. I’m only interested in a positive approach to forwarding the concern of this ministry team.

Thanks in advance for any specific referrals to information that would be useful in preparing a useful letter regarding the need for special hosts for this population of sick and elderly.

When are these special hosts consecrated? How are they kept separate after consecration for use by the EMOHC of the sick or homebound ? Are they kept in a special ciborium in the tabernacle with the others? Or are just enough to be taken out consecrated each day? How does this work?

We just give small pieces of the host to those who have swallowing issues. Then of course there are the special low gluten hosts for the people with Celiac disease.

I’ve looked at some church supply catalogs online and I couldn’t see any “extra thin” hosts.

I’ve never seen a church document governing their usage.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

I was approached today by a close friend in my parish who is part of the ministry team that brings Holy Eucharist to those in nursing homes, shut ins etc. . This ministry team wants to reorder special hosts that have been used for this ministry and have run out, hosts which apparently are thinner and easier for infirm and elderly to consume. Several people and one of the other parish ministries are willing to pay for these. She was told by the pastor they may not order them as it would “confuse people” to have these hosts (which already have been in the sacristy well labeled for quite some time). (Our pastor is not normally involved directly with administering the Precious Body to these impaired folks tho in his many years as a priest I think he must at some times have done this ministry directly.)

This is coming to me second hand. I am only taking her word and offering my suggestion to her. I suggested my friend provide some documentation about the need for these special hosts in a written letter to our priest. She isn’t on line so I offered to look for information to provide.

I would appreciate specific references to anything concrete about the value of using such special hosts for Holy Eucharist to infirm and elderly with trouble swallowing “normal” hosts. (Our normal hosts are quite substantial.) I am not interested in hearing any “dissing” comments about my pastor. He is a very busy guy with no associate, a large parish and a great deal on his plate. I’m only interested in a positive approach to forwarding the concern of this ministry team.

Thanks in advance for any specific referrals to information that would be useful in preparing a useful letter regarding the need for special hosts for this population of sick and elderly.

I have noticed smaller and maybe thinner Hosts used in nursing homes. Usually however when the EMHC go from a parish Mass they take the regular Hosts used at Mass. It might be possible to have EMHC place the number of Hosts needed directly in their pyx and have father place the Pyx on the corporal during the Consecration. This would eliminate the mixing of the two different Hosts during Mass.

 

[BSHoop96]

When are these special hosts consecrated? How are they kept separate after consecration for use by the EMOHC of the sick or homebound ? Are they kept in a special ciborium in the tabernacle with the others? Or are just enough to be taken out consecrated each day? How does this work?

We just give small pieces of the host to those who have swallowing issues. Then of course there are the special low gluten hosts for the people with Celiac disease.

I’ve looked at some church supply catalogs online and I couldn’t see any “extra thin” hosts.

I’ve never seen a church document governing their usage.

Just out of curiosity what do you do with the remaining part of the host after it has been handled and broken?

 

[Seatuck]

Just out of curiosity what do you do with the remaining part of the host after it has been handled and broken?

Goes back into the ciborium until the next person or caretaker asks for a “part” of a host. We have many at our church.

It doesn’t get handled more than any other host. It is fairly easy to break it one handed .

 

[5Loaves]

When are these special hosts consecrated?

Before each Mass the EMHC to shut ins takes the number of hosts needed for that day from the well marked canister in the sacristy in which these thinner hosts come from the supplier, and puts them in their individual pyx. These pyx are placed with the gifts and are brought to the altar with the rest of the gifts. At the end of Mass the various EMHC to shut ins are called forward and pick up their pyx and are send forth with a prayer from the priest. This process has no issue with anyone, priest or EMHC . Everyone is very happy with it.

The canister in which has these thinner hosts come from the supplier is now nearly empty, thus has come up the issue of reordering them. A source for them and for paying for them is not an issue. As my request stated I merely would appreciate specific references to anything concrete about the value of using such special hosts as these in order to be able to continue this practice, a practice which* these EMHC who do this ministry* and are the ones experiencing the need feel is important.

 

[FrDavid96]

Before each Mass the EMHC to shut ins takes the number of hosts needed for that day from the well marked canister in the sacristy in which these thinner hosts come from the supplier, and puts them in their individual pyx. These pyx are placed with the gifts and are brought to the altar with the rest of the gifts. At the end of Mass the various EMHC to shut ins are called forward and pick up their pyx and are send forth with a prayer from the priest. This process has no issue with anyone, priest or EMHC . Everyone is very happy with it.

The canister in which has these thinner hosts come from the supplier is now nearly empty, thus has come up the issue of reordering them. A source for them and for paying for them is not an issue. As my request stated I merely I would appreciate specific references to anything concrete about the value of using such special hosts these in order to be able to continue this practice, a practice which* these EMHC who do this ministry* and are the ones experiencing the need feel is important.

What you are asking-for simply doesn’t exist. There is no documentation or Church norm or anything else which says that a priest must use a particular type of host to accommodate those who have difficulty with more substantial ones. The accepted practice from time immemorial is simply to break the host into a piece small enough for the person to swallow. I’m not saying that it’s a bad idea to use smaller hosts for such a situation. I’m merely saying that you are asking posters here to provide documentation when no such documentation exists. Perhaps that answers the original question?

 

[5Loaves]

Father-

What you are asking-for simply doesn’t exist. There is no documentation or Church norm or anything else which says that a priest must use a particular type of host to accommodate those who have difficulty with more substantial ones. The accepted practice from time immemorial is simply to break the host into a piece small enough for the person to swallow. I’m not saying that it’s a bad idea to use smaller hosts for such a situation. I’m merely saying that you are asking posters here to provide documentation when no such documentation exists. Perhaps that answers the original question?

I’m not asking for any Church norm. Sorry for that bit of confusion. I know many parishes have put together trainings for working in this ministry to shut ins. Our previous priest provided a book on such ministry to each of them during his training with them and had arranged for these hosts to be used. I may suggest they find that book and take a look at it again for what was suggested there. There are quite a lot of people involved in this ministry because there are many parishioners unable to come to Mass. It may be time for a new training.

Change is always a challenge. It can be exacerbated when those doing the ministry feel unsupported. This goes both directions. I strive to be supportive as best I can…

 

[Mrs_Sally]

I was approached today by a close friend in my parish who is part of the ministry team that brings Holy Eucharist to those in nursing homes, shut ins etc. . This ministry team wants to reorder special hosts that have been used for this ministry and have run out, hosts which apparently are thinner and easier for infirm and elderly to consume. Several people and one of the other parish ministries are willing to pay for these. She was told by the pastor they may not order them as it would “confuse people” to have these hosts (which already have been in the sacristy well labeled for quite some time). (Our pastor is not normally involved directly with administering the Precious Body to these impaired folks tho in his many years as a priest I think he must at some times have done this ministry directly.)

This is coming to me second hand. I am only taking her word and offering my suggestion to her. I suggested my friend provide some documentation about the need for these special hosts in a written letter to our priest. She isn’t on line so I offered to look for information to provide.

I would appreciate specific references to anything concrete about the value of using such special hosts for Holy Eucharist to infirm and elderly with trouble swallowing “normal” hosts. (Our normal hosts are quite substantial.) I am not interested in hearing any “dissing” comments about my pastor. He is a very busy guy with no associate, a large parish and a great deal on his plate. I’m only interested in a positive approach to forwarding the concern of this ministry team.

Thanks in advance for any specific referrals to information that would be useful in preparing a useful letter regarding the need for special hosts for this population of sick and elderly.

We don’t order the special hosts either. What we do for those who are ill, have trouble swallowing, etc is to break the host into a smaller piece. Even a tiny sliver is still God. Also, those who are ill are allowed to take a sip of water directly after receiving if that helps them swallow.

 

[Lainey63]

When an elderly family member of mine had suffered a stroke and the Extraordinory Eucharistic Minister knew she had a hard time swallowing she gave her a tiny sip of water immediately after giving her Holy Communion and that worked quite well.

 

[BSHoop96]

Goes back into the ciborium until the next person or caretaker asks for a “part” of a host. We have many at our church.

It doesn’t get handled more than any other host. It is fairly easy to break it one handed .

Okay, I get it. If you break it with one hand you are only touching the part you are taking. I was envisioning a single host being handled by many people. Thanks.

 

[FrDavid96]

Father-

I’m not asking for any Church norm. Sorry for that bit of confusion. I know many parishes have put together trainings for working in this ministry to shut ins. Our previous priest provided a book on such ministry to each of them during his training with them and had arranged for these hosts to be used. I may suggest they find that book and take a look at it again for what was suggested there. There are quite a lot of people involved in this ministry because there are many parishioners unable to come to Mass. It may be time for a new training.

Change is always a challenge. It can be exacerbated when those doing the ministry feel unsupported. This goes both directions. I strive to be supportive as best I can…

I am still a little confused about exactly what you want, but I’ll try. There is a booklet published by the USCCB Liturgy Committee called “Administration of Communion of the Sick” it’s a little “pocket book” that contains the actual ritual approved by the Church. Here’s a link to one company that sells the book (no endorsement, just a link for reference): autom.com/autom/Books_304478/Ministry_51182/Item_Administration-of-Communion_110867.htm

I suggest not going to sources other than the official ritual because all too often, such sources put their own “spin” on things, and teach or suggest things that aren’t appropriate. The Church has an approved ritual for laypersons bringing Communion to the sick.

The full ritual book is “Pastoral Care of the Sick” but most of what’s in that book simply isn’t relevant for laypersons because it has the rites of Unction, and Confirmation, etc. So while it’s a good resource, it’s not practical for use–not to mention that it’s more expensive.

I hope that helps. If not, could you give a little more information about what you are looking for?

 

[Silverburg]

When are these special hosts consecrated? How are they kept separate after consecration for use by the EMOHC of the sick or homebound ? Are they kept in a special ciborium in the tabernacle with the others? Or are just enough to be taken out consecrated each day? How does this work?

At my parish we have a special ciboria for these hosts. One to use at the altar and one for repose in the tabernacle.

 

[zab]

I was approached today by a close friend in my parish who is part of the ministry team that brings Holy Eucharist to those in nursing homes, shut ins etc. . This ministry team wants to reorder special hosts that have been used for this ministry and have run out, hosts which apparently are thinner and easier for infirm and elderly to consume. Several people and one of the other parish ministries are willing to pay for these. She was told by the pastor they may not order them as it would “confuse people” to have these hosts (which already have been in the sacristy well labeled for quite some time). (Our pastor is not normally involved directly with administering the Precious Body to these impaired folks tho in his many years as a priest I think he must at some times have done this ministry directly.)

This is coming to me second hand. I am only taking her word and offering my suggestion to her. I suggested my friend provide some documentation about the need for these special hosts in a written letter to our priest. She isn’t on line so I offered to look for information to provide.

I would appreciate specific references to anything concrete about the value of using such special hosts for Holy Eucharist to infirm and elderly with trouble swallowing “normal” hosts. (Our normal hosts are quite substantial.) I am not interested in hearing any “dissing” comments about my pastor. He is a very busy guy with no associate, a large parish and a great deal on his plate. I’m only interested in a positive approach to forwarding the concern of this ministry team.

Thanks in advance for any specific referrals to information that would be useful in preparing a useful letter regarding the need for special hosts for this population of sick and elderly.

When I first became an EMHC to the homebound about 15 years ago, it was said that these thinner Hosts would be less confusing to the older people because they are the same kind that was used years ago. Many of the people on our routes were not used to chewing the Host as it is becoming more acceptable to do today especially with the thicker Hosts.
It is possible that many people on the routes today have already been introduced to the more substanial Hosts that are being used today and it would not be confusing to many of the homebound. But there is still the matter of those who have difficulty swallowing. And they have difficulty swallowing a small piece of the thin Host, too.
Also, more of the thinner Hosts fit into the small pyx. Your pastor has his reasons for not wanting to use the thinner altar bread, but he may need to purchase larger pyxes.

 

[Seatuck]

Before each Mass the EMHC to shut ins takes the number of hosts needed for that day from the well marked canister in the sacristy in which these thinner hosts come from the supplier, and puts them in their individual pyx. These pyx are placed with the gifts and are brought to the altar with the rest of the gifts. At the end of Mass the various EMHC to shut ins are called forward and pick up their pyx and are send forth with a prayer from the priest. This process has no issue with anyone, priest or EMHC . Everyone is very happy with it.

The canister in which has these thinner hosts come from the supplier is now nearly empty, thus has come up the issue of reordering them. A source for them and for paying for them is not an issue. As my request stated I merely would appreciate specific references to anything concrete about the value of using such special hosts as these in order to be able to continue this practice, a practice which* these EMHC who do this ministry* and are the ones experiencing the need feel is important.

Thanks for the explanation of procedure. I was genuinely curious as to how it is done. I still cannot find a source for these special hosts. I hope they are wheat. I have never seen any church document discussing them at all.

 

[Seatuck]

Father-

I’m not asking for any Church norm. Sorry for that bit of confusion. I know many parishes have put together trainings for working in this ministry to shut ins. Our previous priest provided a book on such ministry to each of them during his training with them and had arranged for these hosts to be used. I may suggest they find that book and take a look at it again for what was suggested there. There are quite a lot of people involved in this ministry because there are many parishioners unable to come to Mass. It may be time for a new training.

Change is always a challenge. It can be exacerbated when those doing the ministry feel unsupported. This goes both directions. I strive to be supportive as best I can…

I understand “it may be time for a new training”. We have a need for this also. I can tell by the clothes being worn by servers as well as certain practices. We have slacked off on some things and I see some innovations. It’s a good time for a training. We have had them in the past beginning with prayer, reflection and then the nitty gritty procedures part. Hope you find your book.

 

[Seatuck]

At my parish we have a special ciboria for these hosts. One to use at the altar and one for repose in the tabernacle.

Thank you . We would have to do that as well since we have ministers who go out on any given day of the week and they go to the tabernacle to get what they need for that day’s visits. Let me know if you can come up with a company name for the hosts. I’m truly interested. Do you think seriously think there is a big difference with these hosts as opposed to just breaking off a piece of a regular host? I know some of the regular hosts can be quite thick.

Now that I’m thinking about it. We aren’t talking about the Low Gluten hosts are we? Those can only be ordered from one place in the US.
benedictinesisters.org/bread/low_gluten.php
No other company has been approved.

 

[zab]

Thanks for the explanation of procedure. I was genuinely curious as to how it is done. I still cannot find a source for these special hosts. I hope they are wheat. I have never seen any church document discussing them at all.

They are the same white (wheat) hosts that have been used years ago. They soften quickly on the tongue and can be swallowed without chewing.

 

[FrDavid96]

Thanks for the explanation of procedure. I was genuinely curious as to how it is done. I still cannot find a source for these special hosts. I hope they are wheat. I have never seen any church document discussing them at all.

They come from your regular host supplier. They’re typically 1 1/8" diameter (at least that’s the size made by the Cav— company that supplies hosts to many parishes in the US). There’s nothing special about them. Many parishes use them on a regular basis. Only people who happen to be used to the larger ones might notice the difference.

They’re actually considered “standard” size, and the others are considered larger size. Take a look at the description of a ciborium in any religious goods catalog or internet site. If they say “100 host capacity” there’s usually a note explaining that 100 refers to 1 1/8 hosts.