Upsetting Communion Experience

[Tighty_Whitey]

Like thousands of times before I shuffled my way down the pew to receive Communion. At the end of the pew, a woman, about 55 years of age and nicely dressed, edged in front of me having come down the aisle. I thought it rather odd but not completely out of the ordinary.

I noticed that she wasn’t walking very well and that she seemed to keep to the center of the aisle. When it was her turn to receive the host, she snatched the host out of the EM’s fingers, likely didn’t say amen, and then proceeded to the cup where she drank all of the blood. It then became obvious to me that she was drunk and that her sole purpose for being in church at that moment was to drink the wine. I couldn’t keep track of where she went afterwards but I am upset by this event. Part of me wants to ensure that she doesn’t do this again.

What if anything can be done?

 

[catholicmamajoy]

There are several diseases which can give the appearance of being intoxicated; Huntington’s Disease is one of them. There are also mentally ill people whose actions can mimic being drunk, as well. Please speak with your pastor about what you witnessed and take his guidance on it.

 

[DeniseNY]

This thread has many responses from longtime, knowledgeable, and wise CAF members

forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=870974

 

[dshix]

Like thousands of times before I shuffled my way down the pew to receive Communion. At the end of the pew, a woman, about 55 years of age and nicely dressed, edged in front of me having come down the aisle. I thought it rather odd but not completely out of the ordinary.

I noticed that she wasn’t walking very well and that she seemed to keep to the center of the aisle. When it was her turn to receive the host, she snatched the host out of the EM’s fingers, likely didn’t say amen, and then proceeded to the cup where she drank all of the blood. It then became obvious to me that she was drunk and that her sole purpose for being in church at that moment was to drink the wine. I couldn’t keep track of where she went afterwards but I am upset by this event. Part of me wants to ensure that she doesn’t do this again.

What if anything can be done?

It’s not your duty to do anything at all, except inform your pastor of what you saw and how disturbing/distracting it was to you.

 

[SteveLy]

The best course of action (for you and us) may be to cover her in prayer. If someone is chugging the communion wine, I would think their life is not going so well.

Thanks for sharing the story.

 

[Mary_Estelle]

She may not have been drunk. she may have been ill. She may have been just rude or even unknowing in proper decorum. The chalice may have been nearly empty when she went to receive. Give her credit rather than judgement. Pray for her. Do you know that diabetics have been arrested for being drunk when actually they were have elevated or even low sugar problems? Peace.

 

[boomerang]

Say a prayer for her.

 

[thephilosopher6]

Like thousands of times before I shuffled my way down the pew to receive Communion. At the end of the pew, a woman, about 55 years of age and nicely dressed, edged in front of me having come down the aisle. I thought it rather odd but not completely out of the ordinary.

I noticed that she wasn’t walking very well and that she seemed to keep to the center of the aisle. When it was her turn to receive the host, she snatched the host out of the EM’s fingers, likely didn’t say amen, and then proceeded to the cup where she drank all of the blood. It then became obvious to me that she was drunk and that her sole purpose for being in church at that moment was to drink the wine. I couldn’t keep track of where she went afterwards but I am upset by this event. Part of me wants to ensure that she doesn’t do this again.

What if anything can be done?

If she was drunk then this angers me beyond belief…

 

[Hoosier_Daddy]

Like thousands of times before I shuffled my way down the pew to receive Communion. At the end of the pew, a woman, about 55 years of age and nicely dressed, edged in front of me having come down the aisle. I thought it rather odd but not completely out of the ordinary.

I noticed that she wasn’t walking very well and that she seemed to keep to the center of the aisle. When it was her turn to receive the host, she snatched the host out of the EM’s fingers, likely didn’t say amen, and then proceeded to the cup where she drank all of the blood. It then became obvious to me that she was drunk and that her sole purpose for being in church at that moment was to drink the wine. I couldn’t keep track of where she went afterwards but I am upset by this event. Part of me wants to ensure that she doesn’t do this again.

What if anything can be done?

Inform the pastor. Then perhaps help with emhc training.

You didn’t mention if she consumed the host.
This needs to be done.
We have several volunteers who can, politely, ask the person if they have consumed the host as they sit down if need be. Notice I said POLITELY.

At a great parish in Indiana I belonged to a whole back the priest called all of The men of the parish together to review all sorts of security measures. From kids going to the bathroom to suspicious behavior to even what to do in case of an emergency.
This include protection of the Blessed Sacrament.

 

[Tighty_Whitey]

Many thanks for the replies. I will contact the church and let them know what happened. Likely the EM that offered her the cup made a “report”. Thank you Mary Estelle for your reply too, she isn’t well as she is likely an alcoholic in active addiction and needs help.