What's the priest supposed to do with the big host?

[Reformed_Rob]

We’ve had a visiting priest while ours is away in the Holy Land for a couple weeks. I’ve understood there’s been some people upset at some of his practices that are different from our normal priest.

Our normal priest, I believe (I don’t watch that closely) takes the big round host and breaks it in half, and eats 1/2 himself and gives the other 1/2 to the deacon. I don’t know what he does if the deacon isn’t there, or there are 2 deacons, but usually it’s one priest and one deacon, so that’s the normal occurrence.

But this other priest, he eats the whole thing (it’s big you know, it takes him a while…) and then he gives the deacon a regular little one.

It makes no difference to me what little nuances this or that priest may have, as long as they do everything legitimately. But…is there a right or wrong way? I’m just wondering because apparently some people are upset about it, and I’m thinking it’s not anything to get upset about.

Thanks for any info on this

 

[AJV]

We’ve had a visiting priest while ours is away in the Holy Land for a couple weeks. I’ve understood there’s been some people upset at some of his practices that are different from our normal priest.

Our normal priest, I believe (I don’t watch that closely) takes the big round host and breaks it in half, and eats 1/2 himself and gives the other 1/2 to the deacon. I don’t know what he does if the deacon isn’t there, or there are 2 deacons, but usually it’s one priest and one deacon, so that’s the normal occurrence.

But this other priest, he eats the whole thing (it’s big you know, it takes him a while…) and then he gives the deacon a regular little one.

It makes no difference to me what little nuances this or that priest may have, as long as they do everything legitimately. But…is there a right or wrong way? I’m just wondering because apparently some people are upset about it, and I’m thinking it’s not anything to get upset about.

Thanks for any info on this

It is not incorrect…in fact, the GIRM says

It is therefore expedient that the Eucharistic bread, even though unleavened and baked in the traditional shape, be made in such a way that the priest at Mass with a congregation is able in practice to break it into parts for distribution to at least some of the faithful. Small hosts are, however, in no way ruled out when the number of those receiving Holy Communion or other pastoral needs require it.

 

[Phemie]

How big is ‘big’? We use a host that’s 5" in diameter and scored so that it can be broken into 24 pieces and shared with the people. OTOH, if you are using the regular 2.5" hosts that have been used since forever then it’s quite common for the priest to consume that one himself. I have never anything that says he should share that one with the deacon – or anyone else.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

We’ve had a visiting priest while ours is away in the Holy Land for a couple weeks. I’ve understood there’s been some people upset at some of his practices that are different from our normal priest.

Our normal priest, I believe (I don’t watch that closely) takes the big round host and breaks it in half, and eats 1/2 himself and gives the other 1/2 to the deacon. I don’t know what he does if the deacon isn’t there, or there are 2 deacons, but usually it’s one priest and one deacon, so that’s the normal occurrence.

But this other priest, he eats the whole thing (it’s big you know, it takes him a while…) and then he gives the deacon a regular little one.

It makes no difference to me what little nuances this or that priest may have, as long as they do everything legitimately. But…is there a right or wrong way? I’m just wondering because apparently some people are upset about it, and I’m thinking it’s not anything to get upset about.

Thanks for any info on this

There is no difference in any of the Hosts. They are all the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Christ. The only reason one is larger is that it may easily be seen at the elevation, that’s all.

 

[ASimpleSinner]

Both are allowable, as noted.

They can share the pieces or consume it all.

Priests may also opt to simply distribute the smaller broken pieces with the rest of the hosts when giving communion to the laity - it should be noted it isn’t a “clergy only” host.

 

[Melissa]

I’m pretty sure it’s a “nothing to worry about” issue. I know that in my own parish (I sit toward the front as youngest son wants to … seems to improve his behavior–I suppose since he can see the altar). I have personally received a part of the large Host on occasion. The main difference is that the broken piece is somewhat pie shaped and I have to be especially mindful of the corners.

 

[drafdog]

I went up to receive Eucharist today and the Eucharistic minister gave me a portion of the large host that the priest had broken into the ciborium. This is normal practice. The priest breaks the host following the example of Christ with the apostles and distributes to at least some of the congregation. There is no hard and fast rule dictating this. The priest may eat the entire host and distribute only the smaller hosts consecrated at the same time as the large host. This was the common practice at the parish where I grew up (pre Vatican II).
What is important is that we receive with reverence and humility, and give thanks for our salvation.

Matthew

 

[SenorSalsa]

How big is it? The one at my church, like another said, is broken into like 12 pieces. I cant imagine someone eating that whole thing by himself

 

[Reformed_Rob]

Both are allowable, as noted.

They can share the pieces or consume it all.

Priests may also opt to simply distribute the smaller broken pieces with the rest of the hosts when giving communion to the laity - it should be noted it isn’t a “clergy only” host.

I think that’s what our normal priest does. I’ll respond to another poster and go further on this topic.

Thanks

 

[Reformed_Rob]

How big is ‘big’? We use a host that’s 5" in diameter and scored so that it can be broken into 24 pieces and shared with the people. OTOH, if you are using the regular 2.5" hosts that have been used since forever then it’s quite common for the priest to consume that one himself. I have never anything that says he should share that one with the deacon – or anyone else.

I have seen the 5" hosts before, and they are massive! Ours must be the 2.5" hosts. Thinking back more clearly after the discussion here, our normal priest, I’m pretty sure, breaks it up into a few different pieces, consumes one himself, and the rest go to whoever, such as the deacon(s), the altar servers, and on to the congregation if any left.

Thanks for the discussion. It looks like our normal priest is doing more attentively what God wants done. I’m not at all surprised, he is a stickler for details.

Thanks one and all of you for your comments

This isn’t something I’m upset about, it was just a question and I was curious.

-Robert