What are we to do???

[fall_fox]

In 2002 the vatican issued an indult saying that Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion were allowed to purfy the Sacred Vessels after Holy Communion. In 2006 the indult ended, and the Bishops of the United States asked that the indult be reenstated so that the EMHCs could continue with the Purfication of the Vessels. The Vatican turned them down, and said the Purfication would be done only by Priests, Deacons, and Instituted Acolytes only. At my parish the EMHCs are still doing the Purfication.

Another problem is that wwe have EMHC that are divorced and remarried without an anulment. Others are living together without being married.

 

[lizaanne]

Do you have documentation regarding the indult? I would be interested to see this myself as I have encountered a similar situation (not at my own parish).

~Liza

 

[MusicMan]

The general way these things go is to bring the matter charitably to your pastor’s attention. Check back here, and within 24 hours, benedictgal will post the relevant documents with reference for you to back up your position.

If that doesn’t work, the Bishop’s Office is next, followed by letters and documentation to the Nuncio and to Rome.

Although, and unfortunately, to answer your question in a sadly realistic sense, “what are [you] to do?” Having to grin and bear it may be the only result.

 

[benedictgal]

Here is the documentation:

From Redemptionis Sacramentum we find that:

[119.] The Priest, once he has returned to the altar after the distribution of Communion, standing at the altar or at the credence table, purifies the paten or ciborium over the chalice, then purifies the chalice in accordance with the prescriptions of the Missal and wipes the chalice with the purificator. Where a Deacon is present, he returns with the Priest to the altar and purifies the vessels. It is permissible, however, especially if there are several vessels to be purified, to leave them, covered as may be appropriate, on a corporal on the altar or on the credence table, and for them to be purified by the Priest or Deacon immediately after Mass once the people have been dismissed. Moreover a duly instituted acolyte assists the Priest or Deacon in purifying and arranging the sacred vessels either at the altar or the credence table. In the absence of a Deacon, a duly instituted acolyte carries the sacred vessels to the credence table and there purifies, wipes and arranges them in the usual way.209

From the revised GIRM:

1. When the distribution of Communion is over, the Priest himself immediately and completely consumes at the altar any consecrated wine that happens to remain; as for any consecrated hosts that are left, he either consumes them at the altar or carries them to the place designated for the reservation of the Eucharist.

Upon returning to the altar, the Priest collects the fragments, should any remain, and he stands at the altar or at the credence table and purifies the paten or ciborium over the chalice, and after this purifies the chalice, saying quietly the formula Quod ore sumpsimus, Domine (What has passed our lips), and dries the chalice with a purificator. If the vessels are purified at the altar, they are carried to the credence table by a minister. Nevertheless, it is also permitted to leave vessels needing to be purified, especially if there are several, on a corporal, suitably covered, either on the altar or on the credence table, and to purify them immediately after Mass, after the Dismissal of the people.

In Masses celebrated with a deacon, the deacon purifies the vessels.

As an additional comment, here is what the USCCB has posted on its website:

The sacred vessles are to be purified by the priest, the deacon or an instituted acolyte.

You can find the new GIRM here:

usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/roman-missal/general-instruction-of-the-roman-missal/

Pope Benedict XVI was the one who allowed the indult to expire. Thus, nowhere in the revised GIRM nor in the Norms for the Distribution of Holy Communion in the United States will you find allowances for an EMHC to purify the sacred vessels.

 

[benedictgal]

The general way these things go is to bring the matter charitably to your pastor’s attention. Check back here, and within 24 hours, benedictgal will post the relevant documents with reference for you to back up your position.

If that doesn’t work, the Bishop’s Office is next, followed by letters and documentation to the Nuncio and to Rome.

Although, and unfortunately, to answer your question in a sadly realistic sense, “what are [you] to do?” Having to grin and bear it may be the only result.

You don’t write to the Nuncio. Instead, you send a letter to the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments. Nowhere in RS is the Nuncio involved.

 

[MusicMan]

For some reason, I thought you went through the Nuncio to at least get things moving with Rome. I stand corrected.

 

[fall_fox]

WOW ! I actually was thinking of keeping it within the parish, Perhaps the Liturgy Committee? I’n relitively new to this parish, 4yrs.

 

[EasterJoy]

At my parish the EMHCs are still doing the Purfication.

Clarification: You are referring to the ritual purification that usually (but not always) occurs during Mass, and not cleansing of the sacred vessels with soap and water after these have been purified.

I’m not saying the Purification is “ritual” rather than “real” of course, but rather to clarify: You mean the purification done by the clergy whose object is to reverently remove the Blessed Sacrament to the tabernacle and to remove the identity of bread and wine from any species remaining in the emptied vessels by the addition of water. You do not mean the cleansing with soap and water with the object of removing germs, fingerprints, and so on, which fully returns the vessels to a condition suitable for Mass.

It is my understanding that after a member of the clergy has done the ritual purification, lay sacristans may be allowed to wash the sacred vessels and linens and prepare them for the next Mass, provided that laypeople are available who can be trusted to wash the sacred vessels and sacred linens in a reverent manner. IOW, the clergy cannot delegate this work without keeping their obligation to see that it is done properly.

I have heard of priests who insist on all the care of these items, down to ironing the purificators, but I’ve never met such a priest personally. The priests I know all do it–they aren’t allergic to irons–I just don’t know any who do it without any lay assistance.

 

[MusicMan]

WOW ! I actually was thinking of keeping it within the parish, Perhaps the Liturgy Committee? I’n relitively new to this parish, 4yrs.

You are certainly welcome to try to resolve the issue in house… in fact, that’s the best solution if it can be done. And starting with your parish’s liturgy committee might even be best because it doesn’t have to trouble your pastor. But, if you cannot get it resolved, then up the chain you’ll need to go.

Best of luck getting it taken care of in house, that really is the best answer.

 

[Bluegoat]

In my experience, when there is a change like this, there is a lot of inertia. Often no one really even thinks about the implications, and some may not know about the change - they just come to church and follow the normal routine.

The thing is, the EMHCs really have no authority to make a change, so until someone tells them to do something different, they will just do the same thing they always have.

You might just need to get the ball rolling - say to the priest, and whoever is in charge of organizing the details of the liturgy on a daily basis “well, I guess we need a new routine for this, how do you plan to institute that?” or whatever seems appropriate.

I wouldn’t expect it to be next week - often stuff like this takes about a month to get underway.

 

[JerrySeibert]

Bedictgal, I am always amazed at the depth of your knowledge. Impressive, it is truly impressive. Great job and thank you for the knowledge you continue to share.

 

[Phemie]

This is the document refusing to extend the indult.

CONGREGATIO CULTO DIVINO ET DISCIPLINA SACRAMENTORUM

Prot. n. 468/05/L Rome, 12 October 2006

Your Excellency,

I refer to your letters of 9 March 2005 and 7 March 2006, in which, in the name of the Conference of Bishops of which you are President, you requested a renewal of the indult for extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion to purify the sacred vessels after Mass, where there are not enough priests or deacons to purify a large number of chalices that might be used at Mass.

I have put the whole matter before the Holy Father in an audience which he granted me on 9 June 2006, and received instructions to reply as follows:

1. There is no doubt that “the sign of Communion is more complete when given under both kinds, since in that form the sign of the Eucharistic meal appears more clearly” (General Instruction of the Roman Missal, no. 281; Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 390).
2. Sometimes, however, the high number of communicants may render it inadvisable for everyone to drink from the chalice (cf. Redemptionis Sacramentum, no. 102). Intinction with reception on the tongue always and everywhere remains a legitimate option, by virtue of the general liturgical law of the Roman Rite.
3. Catechesis of the people is important regarding the teaching of the Council of Trent that Christ is fully present under each of the species. Communion under the species of the bread alone, as a consequence, makes it possible to receive all the fruit of Eucharistic grace (cf. Denzinger-Schönmetzer, no. 1729; General Instruction of the Roman Missal, nos. 11, 282). “For pastoral reasons”, therefore, “this manner of receiving Communion has been legitimately established as the most common form in the Latin rite” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 1390).
4. Paragraph 279 of the General Instruction of the Roman Missal directs that the sacred vessels are to be purified by the priest, the deacon or an instituted acolyte. The status of this text as legislation has recently been clarified by the Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts.** It does not seem feasible, therefore, for the Congregation to grant the requested indult from this directive in the general law of the Latin Church.**
5. This letter is therefore a request to the members of the Bishops’ Conference of the United Status of America to prepare the necessary explanations and catechetical materials for your clergy and people so that henceforth the General Instruction of the Roman Missal, no. 279, as found in the editio typicatia of the Roman Missal, will be observed throughout its territories.

With the expression of my esteem and fraternal greetings, I remain, Your Excellency,
Devotedly yours in Christ,

• Francis Cardinal Arinze
  Prefect
  Monsignor Mario Marini
  Under-Secretary

 

[Irishgal49]

In 2002 the vatican issued an indult saying that Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion were allowed to purfy the Sacred Vessels after Holy Communion. In 2006 the indult ended, and the Bishops of the United States asked that the indult be reenstated so that the EMHCs could continue with the Purfication of the Vessels. The Vatican turned them down, and said the Purfication would be done only by Priests, Deacons, and Instituted Acolytes only. At my parish the EMHCs are still doing the Purfication.

Another problem is that wwe have EMHC that are divorced and remarried without an anulment. Others are living together without being married.

So are you saying that these people are in a state of mortal sin and are taking communion and serving it?! This disheartens me. I struggle with an addiction that is a mortal sin. Whenever I fall, I sit out communion until after I receive confession. It has been shocking that I am the ONLY one who I have ever noticed not receiving in the 3 months I have been back to the church. I just cannot in any way receive with an confessed/unforgiven mortal sin on my soul. I can’t do it. I am stunned.

 

[benedictgal]

This is the document refusing to extend the indult.

Thanks, Phemie. We are getting ready for audit so I have not had the chance to get things going. Furthermore, my little Boston Terrier, Queenie died and I’ve been feeling really bad.

 

[TimothyH]

I might suggest, if there is a deacon, bringing it to his attention.

Perhaps the deacon will run it up the clerical food chain and address it with the priests or pastor. Some times the priests are a little more responsive when they hear something from a deacon - fellow clergy - rather than from the people in the pews.

-Tim-

 

[Phemie]

Thanks, Phemie. We are getting ready for audit so I have not had the chance to get things going. Furthermore, my little Boston Terrier, Queenie died and I’ve been feeling really bad.

I’m sorry to hear about Queenie. I know how difficult it is to lose a beloved pet. Hope you’ll soon be feeling better.

 

[Phemie]

In my experience, when there is a change like this, there is a lot of inertia. Often no one really even thinks about the implications, and some may not know about the change - they just come to church and follow the normal routine.

The thing is, the EMHCs really have no authority to make a change, so until someone tells them to do something different, they will just do the same thing they always have.

You might just need to get the ball rolling - say to the priest, and whoever is in charge of organizing the details of the liturgy on a daily basis “well, I guess we need a new routine for this, how do you plan to institute that?” or whatever seems appropriate.

I wouldn’t expect it to be next week - often stuff like this takes about a month to get underway.

It depends on the Pastor.

In our parish, the EMHCs had been doing the purification but when RS was promulgated the priest who was our pastor at the time immediately put a stop to that and started doing it himself. When he retired, his replacement absolutely refused to do the purification himself and insisted that it was the EMHCs job.

When he was replaced after 4 years we thought the new pastor would change that but he didn’t, so we still have the EMHCs doing the purification. Now that we are pastorless for the forseable future, since our pastor was transferred across the country and the bishop has had no luck finding a replacement, it remains to be seen what will happen with that custom. For the time being the former pastor who insisted that the EMHCs do it is the administrator so I doubt anything will change.

 

[Bluegoat]

It depends on the Pastor.

In our parish, the EMHCs had been doing the purification but when RS was promulgated the priest who was our pastor at the time immediately put a stop to that and started doing it himself. When he retired, his replacement absolutely refused to do the purification himself and insisted that it was the EMHCs job.

When he was replaced after 4 years we thought the new pastor would change that but he didn’t, so we still have the EMHCs doing the purification. Now that we are pastorless for the forseable future, since our pastor was transferred across the country and the bishop has had no luck finding a replacement, it remains to be seen what will happen with that custom. For the time being the former pastor who insisted that the EMHCs do it is the administrator so I doubt anything will change.

Yes, I realize a lot will depend on the leadership. I don’t think though it’s a good idea to assume at the outset that it is more than organizational inertia. That is, it is usually best to start by assuming everyone’s good intent and that they will want to comply with the rules if their attention is drawn to the issue in a non-confrontational way.

If there is still resistance, then it’s time for another strategy.

 

[fall_fox]

Clarification: You are referring to the ritual purification that usually (but not always) occurs during Mass, and not cleansing of the sacred vessels with soap and water after these have been purified.

I’m not saying the Purification is “ritual” rather than “real” of course, but rather to clarify: You mean the purification done by the clergy whose object is to reverently remove the Blessed Sacrament to the tabernacle and to remove the identity of bread and wine from any species remaining in the emptied vessels by the addition of water. You do not mean the cleansing with soap and water with the object of removing germs, fingerprints, and so on, which fully returns the vessels to a condition suitable for Mass.

It is my understanding that after a member of the clergy has done the ritual purification, lay sacristans may be allowed to wash the sacred vessels and linens and prepare them for the next Mass, provided that laypeople are available who can be trusted to wash the sacred vessels and sacred linens in a reverent manner. IOW, the clergy cannot delegate this work without keeping their obligation to see that it is done properly.

I have heard of priests who insist on all the care of these items, down to ironing the purificators, but I’ve never met such a priest personally. The priests I know all do it–they aren’t allergic to irons–I just don’t know any who do it without any lay assistance.

EJ, I was talking strictly about the ritual of Purification, not washing. Our priest seems oblivious as to what is going on. For all he knows they could be put away as is.

 

[EasterJoy]

EJ, I was talking strictly about the ritual of Purification, not washing. Our priest seems oblivious as to what is going on. For all he knows they could be put away as is.

I thought this was what you meant, but the charge was so serious I wanted to be certain.

So not only are laypeople doing the purification, but the vessels are not even being purified during Mass and the priest has no idea who actually does it or what their deportment is while they were doing it? To borrow a most useful expression:* Oy vey!*

I heard about situations like this, because our deacon said this is why laypeople are not allowed to do it any more: that is, there was total abdication of responsibility by the clergy to the point that people were in the sacristy laughing and carrying on while purifying the vessels. Our deacon, when teaching about how to cleanse (not purify) the vessels, cautioned that he doesn’t want to hear about that kind of behavior in the sacristy at all. Essentially, his message was that if you want to act like that, fine: they need you to help out at coffee and doughnuts. That’s how you act around disposable paper plates used at a social event, not sacramental vessels used in the Mass.