why are some rejecting the cup

[Starbuck1]

It came to my attention during the Mass tonight that some members are taking the bread but not the wine. They just walk past the person holding the cup of wine and smile at them. Why would they refuse the wine?
Ken

 

[DaveBj]

Well, I can’t speak for anyone but myself, and I receive from the cup. However, at Mass tonite there was a guy behind me coughing and blowing his nose, and I was thinking that maybe he ought to pass by the cup. That could be one reason–people know they have a communicable disease.

 

[1ke]

It came to my attention during the Mass tonight that some members are taking the bread but not the wine. They just walk past the person holding the cup of wine and smile at them. Why would they refuse the wine?
Ken

Christ is present Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity under each species. We are not required to receive under both species and do nothing wrong if we receive under only one species. We are merely afforded the *opportunity *to receive under both species with the current liturgical rubrics.

As to *why *someone might not communicate under both species-- illness goes to the top of the list. Some people have a phobia regarding a shared cup. Some people have allergies to wine. Some people are alcholics and should refrain from even a sip of wine. Some people just *prefer *receiving under one species as that is how they have always done it (only recently have both been available).

Really, it’s not our business.

 

[ricmat]

Christ is present Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity under each species. We are not required to receive under both species and do nothing wrong if we receive under only one species. We are merely afforded the *opportunity *to receive under both species with the current liturgical rubrics.

As to *why *someone might not communicate under both species-- illness goes to the top of the list. Some people have a phobia regarding a shared cup. Some people have allergies to wine. Some people are alcholics and should refrain from even a sip of wine. Some people just *prefer *receiving under one species as that is how they have always done it (only recently have both been available).

Really, it’s not our business.

Agree with this 100%…but I’d like to add that when receiving OR passing the cup (as when passing the tabernacle) it is customary to bow or make some other appropriate gesture. I’m not sure a smile qualifies by itself…

 

[thechrismyster]

It came to my attention during the Mass tonight that some members are taking the bread but not the wine. They just walk past the person holding the cup of wine and smile at them. Why would they refuse the wine?
Ken

i won’t drink from a cup that 100 complete strangers have just drunk from.

 

[ukdal1]

I can only speak for myself, but I don’t recieve from the cup because I am scared of catching something from someone else (and backwash).I REALLY don’t want to sound disrespectful of our Lord’s Precious Blood, I would really love to receive It, but it’s just a phobia I have.

 

[puzzleannie]

It came to my attention during the Mass tonight that some members are taking the bread but not the wine. They just walk past the person holding the cup of wine and smile at them. Why would they refuse the wine?
Ken

If you are in a Catholic church nobody is “taking” anything, they are receiving, and no one is receiving bread and wine. Whether they receive under the form of bread or under the form of wine or both they are all receiving the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ, sacramentally present whole and undivided in the sacred species. They have their own reasons, they are not obligated to explain them to you, and their communion is not diminished if they receive only under one form. Why does this concern you? nobody is “refusing” anything. I am working out a bad cold and will not be receiving from the cup, or shaking hand at the sign of peace, this weekend out of consideration for my fellow parishioners. Is this somehow any business of yours?

 

[VociMike]

We don’t need to be judging people here. One very good reason is that the line for the cup can back up, since it takes a person much longer to drink from the cup than to receive the host. It can be a cumbersome situation.

Personally, I’m all for intinction (but not, of course, self-intinction).

 

[ukdal1]

They have their own reasons, they are not obligated to explain them to you, and their communion is not diminished if they receive only under one form. Why does this concern you? nobody is “refusing” anything.

Is this somehow any business of yours?

…Not trying to be mean, but that’s not very nice They were just wondering…maybe they are a new Catholic like me and didn’t understand. I had the same questions not that long ago… God bless

 

[jmcrae]

Personally, I’m all for intinction (but not, of course, self-intinction).

I would be, too, except that there are those for whom it could be a health issue.

I think it would be very appropriate for those who do not receive the chalice to make a profound bow as they pass by it. I know one gentleman who does this, and it is very edifying - there is an entire sermon encompassed in that simple gesture. (He is unable to receive the Chalice due to a health problem.)

 

[Cathryn]

Agree with this 100%…but I’d like to add that when receiving OR passing the cup (as when passing the tabernacle) it is customary to bow or make some other appropriate gesture. I’m not sure a smile qualifies by itself…

I don’t bow before the Holy chalice, because as I pass by the line, I have the Lord, body, blood, soul and divinity under my roof, in my mouth. I am a human tabernacle for those few moments. The Lord within me is my focus.

 

[Brendan]

I think it would be very appropriate for those who do not receive the chalice to make a profound bow as they pass by it. I know one gentleman who does this, and it is very edifying - there is an entire sermon encompassed in that simple gesture. (He is unable to receive the Chalice due to a health problem.)

If you are concernd with showing reverence to Christ in the Eucharist, do you also recommend making a profound bow towards everyone who has just received Communion as well. They too are tabernacles of the Eucharist for as long as the accidents remain present.’

 

[Mike_Brick]

It came to my attention during the Mass tonight that some members are taking the bread but not the wine. They just walk past the person holding the cup of wine and smile at them. Why would they refuse the wine?
Ken

Ken my brother in the Lord, I believe you got some helpful answers, but please forgive all the snipping that sometimes goes on here, and especially forgive puzzleannie for jumping all over you. I presume you asked an innocent question, and most of the posters tried to answer that. Pray for the ones that then go off on each other, and the poor example they set for new members…

Peace to you
Mike

 

[Feedmysheep]

Dear Ken,

You list “Protestant” as your religion on your profile. I think perhaps this is the source of your puzzlement.

To Catholics, Christ is present, Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity in both the bread and the wine at Communion. Since we Catholics are receiving the Risen Christ, it is impossible to divide Him into parts. So while Father may say “Body of Christ” while distrubuting the Host, he might as well be saying “Blood of Christ” or “Soul of Christ” or “Divinity of Christ”. Christ isn’t divisible. If one receives “just” the host or “just” the Precious Blood, one is receiving the ENTIRE Christ.

For a really, really good talk on this, check out catholicity.com/cds/eucharist.html for a free CD explaining this and other aspects of the Eucharist.

FMS

 

[fraisinette]

I have only received from the cup once or twice in my life. My parish didn’t have it until I was well into my teens, and I wasn’t used to the idea. I don’t like drinking out of a container that so many other people have used.

Once our pastor was on vacation and we had a substitute priest. He admitted to us that he forgot that the congregation didn’t receive wine and he had consecrated enough wine for everyone. So he had to drink all of it himself!

 

[ricmat]

If you are concernd with showing reverence to Christ in the Eucharist, do you also recommend making a profound bow towards everyone who has just received Communion as well. They too are tabernacles of the Eucharist for as long as the accidents remain present.’

No, this would not be practical.

In our diocese (and others I have been to), per instructions from our bishop, we bow to the priest BEFORE receiving the host, and to the EMHC BEFORE receiving from the cup. Even those who go to the priest for a blessing without the Eucharist bow in respect to the Eucharist. And whether or receiving from the cup, or not, we bow.

You seem to be implying that this is some sort of reverence I dreamed up by myself which logically would obligate me to bow to everyone who has received the Eucharist. Apparently the bishops don’t think so.

 

[pyropam]

You all have given some good reasons for not partaking of the wine. I would like to add to your list…

1. Sickness ( to prevent the spread of germs to others) However,
   our priest said he has never had an outbreak of colds after a mass.
2. Alcoholism (they should not ever receive )
3. Allergies (many people are allergic)
4. **Medication ( many people can not have any alcoholic bevereges due to medications they are taking)
5. Dislike (many people can’t stand the stuff).**
   We have even had people who were allergic to the host, when this is known in advance, a special host can be brought in for them.

God Bless You!

 

[Vox_Borealis]

I’m confused by the question. What “cup” are you talking about? Or are you referring to the sacred chalice?

 

[tcraig]

I don’t receive the Precious Blood. I once had a very shaky handoff with an EMHC, was convinced (and terrified) that it would spill (luckily it didn’t but it was close), and just decided that I would not put myself in that position again.

And not to be too “gross” but there were many times when I went to receive that there was a lot of Host backwash from others who had received before me. Yes, I know it’s really and truly Jesus and I would consume it if I had to, but it still has the appearance of others’ backwashed wafer in wine.

I agree that receiving both species is a “fuller sign” and would love to receive via intinction. However since this has never been an option at any parish I’ve attended and since I’m not required to receive under both species, I opt to receive the Host only.

 

[THurifer2]

It came to my attention during the Mass tonight that some members are taking the bread but not the wine. They just walk past the person holding the cup of wine and smile at them. Why would they refuse the wine?
Ken

ITs not bread and its not wine…I don’t pass on the cup but some people are germ phobias for the right reasons. I have heard horror stories about “aunt Tillies” teeth falling into the communion cup. My wife can’t stomach drinking from the same cup as 500 other people.