Ushers monitoring reception of Communion?

[Joannm]

We have them at our cathedral for Sunday masses but not during the week.

 

[CB_Catholic]

At my last parish ushers were stationed to make certain the Eucharist was consumed as well. Also, if the person receiving the Eucharist turned away before consuming the priests and EMHC would tell them to consume it before stepping away.

At our new parish I have noticed that people taking Eucharist in the hand always side step out of line to consume under the premise of getting out of the way of the next personal. This is improper. One should consume before leaving.

Yes, the incidence of taking the Eucharist for rituals is increasing.

Stepping to the side after receiving the host in the hand is a proper thing to do. I was taught to do this when standing and receiving in the hand was first started, and at every parish I have been to Mass at, this is how Communion is received when people receive standing and in the hand. This may be a regional or diocesan thing, but it is definitely not improper, and is not a premise, it was what was taught to them.

Here is one church’s instructions on this, which is fairly typical, although not all sources mention it:

stbernard-bellflower.com/main/parish-news/262-etiquette-for-holy-communion

 

[7_Sorrows]

We have them at our cathedral for Sunday masses but not during the week.

Let’s hope the news doesn’t get out!

 

[Catholic1954]

Many years ago, my parish had the unfortunate experience of a satanic group receiving communion, and not consuming it (you can guess the rest ). The pastor had ushers on the lookout for a couple of years.

 

[7_Sorrows]

Many years ago, my parish had the unfortunate experience of a satanic group receiving communion, and not consuming it (you can guess the rest ). The pastor had ushers on the lookout for a couple of years.

That is terrible!

 

[SMHW]

Have you seen this? This was a first for me. I was at the Cathedral in Denver on Colfax, and in addition to the two ushers going from pew to pew at Communion, there were two ushers stationed on each side of the priest and the EMHC that was distributing the Body of Christ…

I guess I thought having people assigned to watch and make sure the host is consumed was fairly common on Sundays.

At my parish we do have some ushers standing and keeping an eye on things. We also have some of our altar servers watching people as well. I have no idea how often they have to speak to someone who tries to leave with a host.

Perhaps it’s not needed at smaller parishes where the priests, deacons, and EMsHC recognize most everyone but when your typical Mass has several hundred attendees it’s often the case that the person distributing communion does not know the person receiving.

I believe that at weekday Masses, the regular parishioners keep an eye on people to make sure that everyone consumes the host.

 

[dreamer29]

Have you seen this? This was a first for me. I was at the Cathedral in Denver on Colfax, and in addition to the two ushers going from pew to pew at Communion, there were two ushers stationed on each side of the priest and the EMHC that was distributing the Body of Christ. I could not think of any other reason that they would be there, other than to monitor the reception of the Eucharist, and to assist those who did not eat the Body of Christ when received.

I wonder if this has been a problem there, or if it is a problem in other cities as well. This is a parish that, among other things, is in the heart of the homeless people population, very inner city, I would say. But I have been to inner city parishes in other locations and did not observe this; they did not have a large number of homeless people lingering/living nearby, however. It could also be a destination parish, for both Catholic and non-Catholic tourists alike.

Seems like it is about time to go back and distribute the Host back on the tongue. Forget about receiving it in the hand!

 

[dreamer29]

Have you seen this? This was a first for me. I was at the Cathedral in Denver on Colfax, and in addition to the two ushers going from pew to pew at Communion, there were two ushers stationed on each side of the priest and the EMHC that was distributing the Body of Christ. I could not think of any other reason that they would be there, other than to monitor the reception of the Eucharist, and to assist those who did not eat the Body of Christ when received.

I wonder if this has been a problem there, or if it is a problem in other cities as well. This is a parish that, among other things, is in the heart of the homeless people population, very inner city, I would say. But I have been to inner city parishes in other locations and did not observe this; they did not have a large number of homeless people lingering/living nearby, however. It could also be a destination parish, for both Catholic and non-Catholic tourists alike.

Seems like it is about time to go back and distribute the Host back on the tongue. Forget about receiving it in the hand!

 

[Eddie_Mac]

Stepping to the side after receiving the host in the hand is a proper thing to do. I was taught to do this when standing and receiving in the hand was first started, and at every parish I have been to Mass at, this is how Communion is received when people receive standing and in the hand. This may be a regional or diocesan thing, but it is definitely not improper, and is not a premise, it was what was taught to them.

Here is one church’s instructions on this, which is fairly typical, although not all sources mention it:

stbernard-bellflower.com/main/parish-news/262-etiquette-for-holy-communion

There are lots of things accepted as proper that are not. I will have to politely disagree with you.

 

[SMHW]

There are lots of things accepted as proper that are not. I will have to politely disagree with you.

For better or for worse, stepping aside to place the host in one’s mouth is pretty much the instruction given in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles for communion in the hand and has been for the last 35 to 40 years.

While it may not be the instruction given in your diocese I am puzzled by your insistence that stepping aside is wrong.

 

[Blessedwithfive]

For better or for worse, stepping aside to place the host in one’s mouth is pretty much the instruction given in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles for communion in the hand and has been for the last 35 to 40 years.

While it may not be the instruction given in your diocese I am puzzled by your insistence that stepping aside is wrong.

Same here in New England, I have taught it for twenty years and I am also a EMHC. That’s the way we do it and it works out well

 

[ccmcmg]

Seems like it is about time to go back and distribute the Host back on the tongue. Forget about receiving it in the hand!

If someone is determined to desecrate the Eucharist, it could still be removed after being placed in the mouth, though.

I guess I thought having people assigned to watch and make sure the host is consumed was fairly common on Sundays.
…
I believe that at weekday Masses, the regular parishioners keep an eye on people to make sure that everyone consumes the host.

Nope, I’ve never seen it before, and over the past 2 1/2 years, I’ve attended weekday and Sunday Mass at perhaps 30 or more parishes (travel, etc), even in Denver (Holy Ghost/different parish), and never seen this before.

As for keeping an eye on those receiving the Eucharist, I do sit in the front, but I’m too busy praying to observe those receiving. I have, however, seen twice in the past two years, the priest (two separate parishes) had to follow someone to their pew to ask for the Eucharist back, or to see it consumed.

There are lots of things accepted as proper that are not. I will have to politely disagree with you.

I was also taught to step to the side, and then I would gaze at the Crucifix at the front, while I consume the Eucharist.

 

[Elizium23]

Stepping to the side after receiving the host in the hand is a proper thing to do. I was taught to do this when standing and receiving in the hand was first started, and at every parish I have been to Mass at, this is how Communion is received when people receive standing and in the hand. This may be a regional or diocesan thing, but it is definitely not improper, and is not a premise, it was what was taught to them.

Here is one church’s instructions on this, which is fairly typical, although not all sources mention it:

stbernard-bellflower.com/main/parish-news/262-etiquette-for-holy-communion

It IS the wrong thing to do, and I know how many people were instructed to do this, even I was in the 1980s. I know it is wrong because my parish uses Communion-plates during distribution now, and the plate doesn’t do a lick of good if someone wanders off to the side with host still in hand.

How hard is it really to “consume the host in the presence of the minister” as the Church instructs? Why contradict this clear instruction?

 

[ccmcmg]

It IS the wrong thing to do, and I know how many people were instructed to do this, even I was in the 1980s. I know it is wrong because my parish uses Communion-plates during distribution now, and the plate doesn’t do a lick of good if someone wanders off to the side with host still in hand.

How hard is it really to “consume the host in the presence of the minister” as the Church instructs? Why contradict this clear instruction?

I can count on ‘one hand’ (no pun intended) how many ‘plates’ I have seen used over the past 25 years. I consume in the presence of the minister, in fact, all of us do, right next to him.

You should probably take it up with the USCCB, instead of people on CAF who are doing as they were officially taught.

As for that link, as I am looking, I’m not seeing where it says to stand directly in front of the priest, OR to move to the side. Can you clarify, please?

However, special care should be taken to ensure that the host is consumed by the communicant in the presence of the minister, so that no one goes away carrying the Eucharistic species in his hand.

 

[Elizium23]

It seems to me that taking any steps, even just one to the side, is to begin the process of “walking away with the Eucharist in hand”. It seems to me that if standing off to the side is also in “the presence of the minister” then why not sitting in the pew? The cry room? The narthex?

 

[ccmcmg]

It seems to me that taking any steps, even just one to the side, is to begin the process of “walking away with the Eucharist in hand”. It seems to me that if standing off to the side is also in “the presence of the minister” then why not sitting in the pew? The cry room? The narthex?

To me, that’s a bit ridiculous. It’s understood that it’s in the presence of the minister. One foot away is in his presence.

But this is ‘your interpretation’, correct? I couldn’t find anything on your link that said whether or not to step to the side. I think it’s rather unkind to act like you’re condemning those that do.

 

[Elizium23]

To me, that’s a bit ridiculous. It’s understood that it’s in the presence of the minister. One foot away is in his presence.

But this is ‘your interpretation’, correct? I couldn’t find anything on your link that said whether or not to step to the side. I think it’s rather unkind to act like you’re condemning those that do.

Question for you. Where is the attention of the minister directed when you are standing in front of him? Now step to the side and someone else is standing in front of him, with hands outstretched. Now where is the attention of the minister? In which situation do you think it is likely that the minister will be able to determine whether or not you have consumed the sacred host? Are you really still in his presence when he can’t even see you? Come on, use some common sense.

This is exactly why Eucharistic guardians are deemed necessary, because so many people have been taught and insist on walking one step away and out of the minister’s sight.

 

[ccmcmg]

Question for you. Where is the attention of the minister directed when you are standing in front of him? Now step to the side and someone else is standing in front of him, with hands outstretched. Now where is the attention of the minister? In which situation do you think it is likely that the minister will be able to determine whether or not you have consumed the sacred host? Are you really still in his presence when he can’t even see you? Come on, use some common sense.

I am using common sense. I’m also looking at the rules that you yourself are referring to as the logic for your answer. Yet, that answer cannot be found there. Please try again. Lambasting others for doing as they were taught isn’t a kind way to treat them. They aren’t doing anything wrong. If we are going to go by the book as **you **insinuated, the burden of proof is not on me, but on the one asserting it.

Until you can speak charitably to myself and others about this issue, I won’t continue this discussion. You’ve derailed the thread and been rude to others while doing so. Granted, I’m not acting in my most kindly manner at the moment, but I’ve reached my end point. Your issue with people receiving in the hand, as is allowed and directed in this country, in not the intent of this post.

ETA: I see you added the last line about this is why we must have ‘guardians’. For the record, I responded BEFORE you added it, as noted by the quote above through the magic of CAF forums in quoting replies. Communion in the hand consumed one step away is not the issue.

 

[Eddie_Mac]

For better or for worse, stepping aside to place the host in one’s mouth is pretty much the instruction given in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles for communion in the hand and has been for the last 35 to 40 years.

While it may not be the instruction given in your diocese I am puzzled by your insistence that stepping aside is wrong.

And I could say the same thing about your insistence that your instructions are correct.