Why is it that I've never seen anyone bypass the Eucharistic Wafer and only drink from the Chalise?

[blaskoman]

I know that Jesus is present fully in both species–the body and blood as manifested in the wafer and the wine. In previous post on this topic, Ive learned that to receive under both species is a fuller representation of the Sacrament. However, to receive under one form is to receive Jesus fully…My parish is fortunate to offer Communion under both species. Upon close observation, all who attend Communion receive the wafer, while 25% (I’m estimating) of the people choice to receive under both species. Zero percent will forego the wafer and only drink from the Wine. My crude observations got me thinking that perhaps a very small percentage of catholics actually know that Jesus is fully present in both species. I am guessing that many do not understand the significance of receiving the blood in the form of wine. As a side note though, I would think it unusual/odd to observe someone just receive the wine–although by doing so, a person would be receiving Jesus as fully as one who only receives the wafer.

 

[Lorrie]

My crude observations got me thinking that perhaps a very small percentage of catholics actually know that Jesus is fully present in both species.

I don’t know much about this since I don’t go around my parish polling people.

I am guessing that many do not understand the significance of receiving the blood in the form of wine.

Actually I know of a few people who forgo the host and receive from the chalice since they are allergic to wheat.

As a side note, it’s possible that people skip receiving from the chalice due to the spreading of germs. I know (for myself) I don’t prefer to drink after others (especially strangers) - I receive Jesus through the host and only the host. Just a personal preference.

 

[NHInsider]

I believe (although I cannot cite a rubric) that the norm is to receive the host and, if desired and allowed by the bishop, from the cup. Receiving from the cup alone is pretty much reserved for those who cannot consume the host - celiacs and people who cannot swallow solids. And recently extremely-low-gluten altar breads have become available, which most celiac sufferers can consume. So you are very unlikely to observe the practice or receiving from the cup only with much regularity.

 

[puzzleannie]

well if this practice, bypassing the host to receive only from the chalice, does become popular I am sure we will be flooded with threads decrying the practice,
“why are people rejecting the host?”
“don’t these people know the Real Presence subsists under both species”
since we have at least 6 active threads on the alternative topic already and dozens of old discussions

I for one long for the return of a time when we are engrossed in prayerful anticipation before communion and all have our heads bowed after communuion and have no idea whatever what other people do or don’t do.

 

[Lorrie]

I for one long for the return of a time when we are engrossed in prayerful anticipation before communion and all have our heads bowed after communuion and have no idea whatever what other people do or don’t do.

I second this.

 

[acadian]

The Precious Blood is not offered to the faithful at our parish, but there is one person who receives only from the cup. When the EMHC’s go forward to receive, she also goes forward. At another parish, which we both attend sometimes during the week, the Precious Blood is offered. She doesn’t “by-pass” the host. She sits close enough to the front near where the cup is offered. When people start to get in line, she simply goes down the side aisle and is first in life for the Precious Blood. My point is that sometimes choosing not to receive the host happens so subtlely that you may not even notice.

I am one that prefers not to drink after a bunch of other people, so generally I will forego receiving from the cup.

 

[Leonius]

The Eucharistic Wafer? Do they not perform the miracle of transubstantiation in your parish at Mass?

 

[Leonius]

This is not a fruitful way to spend your time during Holy Communion.

 

[Tedster]

I know that Jesus is present fully in both species–the body and blood as manifested in the **wafer **and the wine.

The term wafer sounds so protestant. It is the Body of Christ, why not give Him the recognition He deserves. IMO, Catholics have become lost when recognizing that this “wafer” is Our Lord.

Upon close observation, all who attend Communion receive the wafer, while 25% (I’m estimating) of the people choice to receive under both species.

Body of Christ.

Zero percent will forego the **wafer **and only drink from the Wine.

Body of Christ and Precious Blood.

My crude observations got me thinking that perhaps a very small percentage of catholics actually know that Jesus is fully present in both species. I am guessing that many do not understand the significance of receiving the blood in the form of wine.

When we refer to the Holy Sacrament as a mere “wafer” and “wine”, it is easy to understand why many do not believe in the Real Presence.

As a side note though, I would think it unusual/odd to observe someone just receive the wine–although by doing so, a person would be receiving Jesus as fully as one who only receives the wafer.

See my rants above.

 

[Leonius]

The term wafer sounds so protestant. It is the Body of Christ, why not give Him the recognition He deserves. IMO, Catholics have become lost when recognizing that this “wafer” is Our Lord.Body of Christ.
Body of Christ and Precious Blood.
When we refer to the Holy Sacrament as a mere “wafer” and “wine”, it is easy to understand why many do not believe in the Real Presence.
See my rants above.

That irked me to and I agree with what you have said.

 

[benedictgal]

That irked me to and I agree with what you have said.

Yes, it is a cause for concern. The term wafer is something that the Protestants use, not Catholics. Furthermore, we need to use the terms that the Chuch uses; namely the Host, the Body of Christ and the Precious Blood.

I do not know if the OP is a convert, hence the reason for the terminology. But, when posting in these forums, we should be conscious about the words that we use.

 

[JaMc]

The term wafer sounds so protestant. It is the Body of Christ, why not give Him the recognition He deserves. IMO, Catholics have become lost when recognizing that this “wafer” is Our Lord.Body of Christ.

At least call it a host. The only time I see the Body of Christ called a “wafer” is in mass media articles, which usually take a derisive slant. A wafer is cookie, whereas an unconsecrated host is unleavened bread.

 

[blaskoman]

Using the term wafer was definately a poor choice in words. Should of used bread instead–my mistake…nevertheless, if you’re gonna be critical, it would have been nice if you could have provided some feedback on the actual theme of the thread.

A few months ago, I was the last one in line to receive the Host and apparently the Priest did not see me and turned his back, so I had no choice but to drink from the Chalise, foregoing the Host not by choice. I know that I received Jesus fully that day…so this experience made me wonder why the vast majority do not even drink of the wine–when it’s available during Mass, as well as the other observations I’ve noted in my original post.

 

[benedictgal]

Using the term wafer was definately a poor choice in words. Should of used bread instead–my mistake…nevertheless, if you’re gonna be critical, it would have been nice if you could have provided some feedback on the actual theme of the thread.

A few months ago, I was the last one in line to receive the Host and apparently the Priest did not see me and turned his back, so I had no choice but to drink from the Chalise, foregoing the Host not by choice. I know that I received Jesus fully that day…so this experience made me wonder why the vast majority do not even drink of the wine–when it’s available during Mass, as well as the other observations I’ve noted in my original post.

During the panic over swine flu, many parishes down here chose not to offer both Species (however, the bishop never issued a statement about the matter, so the pastors took it upon themselves). Thus, one could only partake of the Sacred Host and not the Precious Blood. That is one reason.

Your reception was valid because Christ is contained whole in either species.

One other thing, we don’t refer to the Precious Blood as “wine” once the species has been consecrated, just as we don’t use the word “bread” once the Host has been consecrated. I hope you don’t think of this as nitpicky, but, we need to use the terms that the Church uses.

 

[Lucania]

benedictgal;5587214:

I totally agree with you. It makes me crazy to hear Catholics use terms like wafer. You are not nitpicking. As Catholics we DO need to use the proper terms.

 

[brigid12]

I also don’t like to receive from the cup after others have - besides I don’t want any of my own germs to cause problems for anyone else.

 

[Jenny_Z]

Because you don’t have anyone with Celiac’s Disease in your parish?

 

[adowcday]

Because you don’t have anyone with Celiac’s Disease in your parish?

Right. People with celiac disease cannot eat anything containing wheat proteins (gluten), so they receive the wine and not the host.