Taking the Body AND Blood?

[John_oxios]

Hi all,

I was wondering, when you go up for the Eucharist, do you take only one of the two? I’m not sure if I’ve seen things right (I might not have been paying the best attention), but at the church that I go to, people go up and get either the Blood OR the Body, not both (I think). Is this right? And how come its this way? Just wondering,

Thanks!!

Hi DJe,
Actually some people have allergies to wheat or celiac disease, they either inform the pastor in which gluten free host is prepared or pass on the Eucharist and receive the Precious Blood alone. I’m from Long Island, N.Y. I haven’t heard of anyone supplying or paying for a gluten free host… we offer up gifts in the collection, correct?

People with alcohol issues will pass on the precious Blood, because of the conscious response of taste of wine.
Parents will not allow their young children to receive the precious blood.

But picking or choosing which either you’ll receive today? Haven’t heard or seen that one yet.

God bless,
John

 

[John_oxios]

I am a public health nurse, and **I am always horrified to see elderly taking of the Precious Blood at our Mass. ** Rest assured that the chalice is teeming with germs during cold and flu season - any number of which could spell “the end” for an immune-compromised communicant. If one truly believes that the wine is transformed into the literal blood of Christ, then one should also realize that human blood is a perfect conduit for myriad bacteria and viruses. There is no reason to believe that Christ’s blood is impervious to influenza. Taking of the Most Holy Host is sufficient and offers the fullness of the sacrament in a much more hygienic capacity. I believe it is time that we end the filthy, dangerous practice of sharing all from the same (beautiful) chalice to partake of the Blood. There has got to be a better, safer way!

In fact, during the H1N1 outbreak last year, I had a stern discussion with the local pastor about temporarily stopping service of The Blood due to the fact that so many pregnant women, children and elderly were succumbing to that particular flu. He decided to continue to offer it, but did put a note in the bulletin that those who were immune-compromised or who wished to avoid the flu should not partake of the Blood and should use hand sanitizer after the sign of peace, or refrain from shaking hands entirely.

Hello SanctaMommy,

All i can say is WOW… I guess next is throw out the holy Water vessels, stop shaking hands, and outlaw coughing in Church… and bring oxygen masks for those airborne diseases, matter of save yourself! don’t go to church on Sunday, after all the elderly and homebound can have an E.M bring the Gospel and Eucharist to the Home… where does it end ? The early practiced this for the 1200 yrs. and been doing again since 1963, The Orthodox never stopped and no one has complained about the germs on the spoon, and if you think that spoon hasn’t hit a lip or two than your quite naive.

Nobody makes you go up and receive the Precious Blood, that’s by choice at our local parishes the E.M. wipes the edge of the Chalice turns the cup so the next person is not drinking from the same spot on the Chalice or ‘swapping spit’ with anyone. During H1N1 breakout some parishes did offer Sacred Blood to the community but that was done at the Parish level not a diocesan level.

It is a persons rite to worship, they’re fully aware of germs… and put their trust in Christ.
wow that is horrible!

God bless,
John

 

[SanctaMommy]

Hello SanctaMommy,

All i can say is WOW… I guess next is throw out the holy Water vessels, stop shaking hands, and outlaw coughing in Church… and bring oxygen masks for those airborne diseases, matter of save yourself! don’t go to church on Sunday, after all the elderly and homebound can have an E.M bring the Gospel and Eucharist to the Home… where does it end ? The early practiced this for the 1200 yrs. and been doing again since 1963, The Orthodox never stopped and no one has complained about the germs on the spoon, and if you think that spoon hasn’t hit a lip or two than your quite naive.

Nobody makes you go up and receive the Precious Blood, that’s by choice at our local parishes the E.M. wipes the edge of the Chalice turns the cup so the next person is not drinking from the same spot on the Chalice or ‘swapping spit’ with anyone. During H1N1 breakout some parishes did offer Sacred Blood to the community but that was done at the Parish level not a diocesan level.

It is a persons rite to worship, they’re fully aware of germs… and put their trust in Christ.
wow that is horrible!

God bless,
John

I’m sorry. Maybe you have never personally witnessed an elderly person dying of pneumonia. I, however, have - and I know how extremely vulnerable many elderly are to this type of illness.

While I fully support anyone adult’s right to put their life at risk in this capacity, I think it’s important that our frail elderly are aware that partaking of a communal drinking cups increases their risk for illness and is not a necessary part of the sacrament. They also should know that wiping the cup with a cloth does jack squat as far as disease prevention goes. If they are fully informed, then it’s their decision. But I would want my elderly parents do it.

 

[John_oxios]

I’m sorry. Maybe you have never personally witnessed an elderly person dying of pneumonia. I, however, have - and I know how extremely vulnerable many elderly are to this type of illness.

While I fully support anyone adult’s right to put their life at risk in this capacity, I think it’s important that our frail elderly are aware that partaking of a communal drinking cups increases their risk for illness and is not a necessary part of the sacrament. They also should know that wiping the cup with a cloth does jack squat as far as disease prevention goes. If they are fully informed, then it’s their decision. But I would want my elderly parents do it.

Hello SanctaMommy,
I am 54 yrs of age,I have seen/ experienced many a family/ friends and their family members, dying in many ways, I am also a E.M. For our local Hospital. and the homebound, I have not found (in my experience) anyone Blaming it on the Communion Cup. Nor have I heard it attributed too by friends in the Greek Eastern Orthodox community. When I’m at Mass I concentrate onwhat I need to be there for, without distraction, While you mean well, why not concentrate on what you are doing at the Mass, and stop watching communicants in horror. If you have found cases attributed to this practice then by all means bring it up to the Pastor and then Bishop. Maybe your Parish can rule out the elderly in receiving the Precious Blood, but by what age? Who do you single out? outside of yourself, and your own family members?

God Bless,
John