I hope everyone understands the difference between the paten and the communion-plate. In Mass the bread is consecrated on the paten.
The 2004 Instruction Redemptionis Sacramentum (at
vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/ccdds/documents/rc_con_ccdds_doc_20040423_redemptionis-sacramentum_en.html ) includes:
“[93.] The Communion-plate for the Communion of the faithful should be retained, so as to avoid the danger of the sacred host or some fragment of it falling. [Footnote 180: Cf. Missale Romanum, Institutio Generalis, n. 118.]”
The General Instruction of the Roman Missal describes how a Communion-plate is to be used in Mass.
“287. If Communion from the chalice is carried out by intinction, each communicant, holding a communion-plate under the mouth, approaches the Priest who holds a vessel with the sacred particles, with a minister standing at his side and holding the chalice.”
The only other mention of the Communion-plate in the GIRM is 118c:
“118. The following are also to be prepared:
a. Next to the priest’s chair: the Missal and, as needed, a hymnal;
b. At the ambo: the Lectionary;
c. On the credence table: the chalice, a corporal, a purificator, and, if appropriate, the pall; the paten and, if needed, ciboria; bread for the Communion of the priest who presides, the deacon, the ministers, and the people; cruets containing the wine and the water, unless all of these are presented by the faithful in procession at the Offertory; the vessel of water to be blessed, if the asperges occurs; the Communion-plate for the Communion of the faithful; and whatever is needed for the washing of hands.”
The 1975 GIRM mentioned the Communion-plate more often, including when receiving Communion normally (not by intinction).
The liturgical book “Holy Communion and the Worship of the Eucharist Outside of Mass” has:
“V. REGULATIONS FOR GIVING COMMUNION
19. When communion is given is a church or oratory, a corporal is to be placed on the altar, which is already covered with a cloth, and there are to be two lighted candles as a sign of reverence and festiveness. A communion plate is to be used.
When communion is given in other places, a suitable table is to be prepared and covered with a cloth; candles are also to be provided.”
Also:
“36. After communion the minister puts any particle left on the plate into the pyx, and he may wash his hands. He returns the remaining hosts to the tabernacle and genuflects.” Also in n. 49 has the same sentence, which describes the short rite for Communion Outside of Mass.
Chapter Two is on Communion to the sick. It does not mention the plate. Instead it has: “62. After communion the minister washes the vessel as ususal.” The same sentence is used in n. 77, for viaticum.
The Latin seems to have different spelling for the paten (spelt “patena”) and the communion-plate (spelt “patina”). The Latin edition of Holy Communion and the Worship of the Eucharist Outside of Mass uses the term “patina” in n. 19 and 36.
So difficult instructions to interpret. The mention of the communion-plate seems to have been deliberately removed from the description of receiving communion other than by intinction in the GIRM. It also seems to have been deliberately removed for communion outside of Mass that is not in a church or oratory. On the other hand, the 2004 Instruction says it is to be retained for Mass.
I think the communion-plate is optional for Communion for the sick. It is required for Communion Outside Mass in a church or oratory.
