Would you accept Holy Eucharist via intinction from an EMHC?

[BeeSweet]

It’s only permissible for a priest to offer the Holy Eucharist via intinction, unless I suppose a dispensation is given by the bishop for EMHCs to do so. I was at a Charismatic Mass this past Thursday night, and EMHCs were offering via intinction. I decided not to receive and left the Mass early at that point (I’d already been there for two hours, and had received Eucharist once that day already at my home parish).

I didn’t receive primarily because I was disturbed by the fact that EMHCs were offering via intinction, when I’m certain this is only allowed to be done by a priest. Would I have been culpable in any way had I received? I feel kinda snooty for not having received even though I feel there was a possible abuse there.

I’ve written to my archdiocese to let them know. Hopefully this parish does have a dispensation for EMHCs to serve via intinction, and if not, hopefully they will discontinue the practice.

 

[teachccd]

You are never responsible for anything that is illicit at Mass. The Eucharist remains a valid Sacrament regardless of an abuse due to whatever. You need only receive one of the species so there was nothing lost by not receiving by intinction. If that was my only choice, I would rather receive our Lord illicitly (through no fault of my own) than not receive Him. That is my :twocents: …teachccd

 

[jmcrae]

If there were a choice to receive from the priest, I would have done that, instead.

Like you, I would worry that the EMHCs are not really allowed to do that.

 

[BeeSweet]

If there were a choice to receive from the priest, I would have done that, instead.

Like you, I would worry that the EMHCs are not really allowed to do that.

The only person I was sure was a priest was not serving that evening. He had to sit down, he was obviously tired at that point. He’d already been going strong for two hours, I don’t blame him for needing a break! I would have definitely received from him had he been serving.

You are never responsible for anything that is illicit at Mass. The Eucharist remains a valid Sacrament regardless of an abuse due to whatever. You need only receive one of the species so there was nothing lost by not receiving by intinction. If that was my only choice, I would rather receive our Lord illicitly (through no fault of my own) than not receive Him. That is my :twocents: …teachccd

I was sure I saw the priest prepared a chalice, and I thought I saw one of the EMHCs with a large communion pyx, but once the crowd moved to the front, all I could see were servers using intinction. I would have found either the chalice or the EMHC holding the communion pyx, but like the priest I too was tired at that point. And tired of the electric guitar and drums and singing too… I’m used to a much much more quiet Mass! I had already received once that day at my home parish, but I still kinda feel snooty for not receiving.

I’m thinking about going back next week for a special intention, so I guess I’d like to figure out whether or not I should receive if I’m placed in a similar situation again.

 

[ThuribleGuy45]

Since a deacon is the ordinary minister of the Cup, I would assume that intinction offered by a deacon would be equally licit as that by a priest.

 

[BeeSweet]

Since a deacon is the ordinary minister of the Cup, I would assume that intinction offered by a deacon would be equally licit as that by a priest.

Yes, a deacon is also allowed to serve via intinction. I’m sure at least a few of the servers were not deacons this particular evening however, as some were women.

 

[KathleenElsie]

Deacon or Priest only.

 

[Lee_M]

When I was trained by the local archdiocese, we could communicate through intinction. We are just not allowed to self-communicate. If an extraordinary minister can minster both forms why wouldn’t they be able to through intinction as long as they do not allow the communicant to self-intinct. I’m just curious on the rules on this because I could not find it in the GIRM prohibiting extraordinary ministers from doing this.

 

[Karl_M]

When I was trained as an EMHC, I was told we could do intinction.

But, we have to do it. What I mean is that after we receive from the priest or deacon, the EMHC would need to have both the Hosts and the chalices, take the host from the plate, dip it ourselves, and present it to the communicant.

What is most definitely NOT allowed is for anyone to self-dip, or for the communicant to get the host from one person and then hand it to the MHC or EMHC for dipping.

I remember this being covered on the radio “Catholic Answers Live?” and that what the priest said-I don’t remember if it was “The Chaplain is in” or what, but that’s the jist of what he said.

At any rate, it’s strongly discouraged. I was an EMHC at a funeral once and I got plenty of dirty looks, and one “death eye” because I wouldn’t let people dip.

 

[Lee_M]

When I was trained as an EMHC, I was told we could do intinction.

But, we have to do it. What I mean is that after we receive from the priest or deacon, the EMHC would need to have both the Hosts and the chalices, take the host from the plate, dip it ourselves, and present it to the communicant.

What is most definitely NOT allowed is for anyone to self-dip, or for the communicant to get the host from one person and then hand it to the MHC or EMHC for dipping.

I remember this being covered on the radio “Catholic Answers Live?” and that what the priest said-I don’t remember if it was “The Chaplain is in” or what, but that’s the jist of what he said.

At any rate, it’s strongly discouraged. I was an EMHC at a funeral once and I got plenty of dirty looks, and one “death eye” because I wouldn’t let people dip.

This is exactly how I was trained.

 

[BeeSweet]

When I was trained by the local archdiocese, we could communicate through intinction.

When I was trained as an EMHC, I was told we could do intinction.

The archdiocese of Galveston Houston permits only a priest or deacon to serve by intinction. My parish serves by intinction, and when they were going through the process of changing to this method, they were told only a priest or deacon may administer Holy Eucharist via intinction. We do not have EMHCs at my parish, only the priests serve.

So unless a dispensation has been given to this particular parish in my archdiocese, EMHCs are not allowed to serve via intinction. If this parish has not been given a dispensation, then regardless of whether or not their EMHCs were trained to serve via intinction, they’re still not allowed to do it.

 

[thistle]

I believe Cardinal Arinze stated that intinction can only be done by the ordained, i.e. a priest or deacon.That means EMHC’s cannot do it.

 

[cecilia97]

The archdiocese of Galveston Houston permits only a priest or deacon to serve by intinction. My parish serves by intinction, and when they were going through the process of changing to this method, they were told only a priest or deacon may administer Holy Eucharist via intinction. We do not have EMHCs at my parish, only the priests serve.

So unless a dispensation has been given to this particular parish in my archdiocese, EMHCs are not allowed to serve via intinction. If this parish has not been given a dispensation, then regardless of whether or not their EMHCs were trained to serve via intinction, they’re still not allowed to do it.

Hmmm…we have intinction only at weekday Masses. At our larger weekday Masses (the ones with the schoolkids or feast days) I think I have occasionally seen an EMHC doing intinction. Unless he was a deacon in “plain” clothes helping out in a pinch. We do have a new deacon I haven’t met.

I’d be surprised if our pastor was doing anything not approved by the Cardinal. Hopefully we have the permissions for this. I will try to ask him sometime.

 

[Brendan]

I believe Cardinal Arinze stated that intinction can only be done by the ordained, i.e. a priest or deacon.That means EMHC’s cannot do it.

That is correct.

Cardinal Arinze noted that only priests or deacons may intinct.

However, I noticed in this country many people insist on receiving under two forms – that means, the form of Body of Christ and Blood of Christ. If the bishop has approved it, that’s all right. But it means it demands a lot of care because it is so easy to spill the Precious Blood.

It is so easy, and, as you mentioned earlier, in these days of disease, some people are worried if there are up to 50 people drinking from the same cup. Some people are hesitant.

Why would people not accept intinction? You [the priest] take the Body of Christ and just dip in the Precious Blood and give it to the person on the tongue. But the ministers must be priests or deacons, if they want that.

adoremus.org/1003Arinze.html

As this is a directive from the CDWDS and the CDWDS is the legislative authority, it is not something a bishop may dispense with on his own, he must recive permission to do so from the CDWDS.

 

[THurifer2]

wondering why it is done?

Did they do it at the last supper?

 

[BeeSweet]

1. A duly instituted acolyte, as an extraordinary minister, may, if necessary, assist the priest in giving Communion to the people. If Communion is given under both kinds, when no deacon is present, the acolyte administers the chalice to the communicants or holds the chalice if Communion is given by intinction.

1. If Communion from the chalice is carried out by intinction, each communicant, holding a communion-plate under the chin, approaches the priest, who holds a vessel with the sacred particles, a minister standing at his side and holding the chalice. The priest takes a host, dips it partly into the chalice and, showing it, says, Corpus et Sanguis Christi (The Body and Blood of Christ). The communicant responds, Amen, receives the Sacrament in the mouth from the priest, and then withdraws.

Source

Notice that in both the above excerpts, mention is made only of a priest or deacon distributing via intinction.

Francis Cardinal Arinze:

Why would people not accept intinction? You [the priest] take the Body of Christ and just dip in the Precious Blood and give it to the person on the tongue. But the ministers must be priests or deacons, if they want that.

Source

 

[BeeSweet]

wondering why it is done?

Did they do it at the last supper?

Couldn’t say if they did it at the last supper. It’s not out of the question that they did, especially if the bread they had that evening were particularly dry.

I believe, and this is just my personal guess, that the primary reason for intinction is to reduce the need for additional EMHCs, as well as reduce the chance of the Precious Blood being mishandled or spilled.

 

[BeeSweet]

Hmmm…we have intinction only at weekday Masses. At our larger weekday Masses (the ones with the schoolkids or feast days) I think I have occasionally seen an EMHC doing intinction. Unless he was a deacon in “plain” clothes helping out in a pinch. We do have a new deacon I haven’t met.

I’d be surprised if our pastor was doing anything not approved by the Cardinal. Hopefully we have the permissions for this. I will try to ask him sometime.

I sent a mail to our archdiocese Office of Worship hoping to find out if this particular parish has been given a dispensation. You might want to write to them to inquire about your own parish as well.

I sincerely believe this is a simple oversight, rather than any kind of disobedience.

 

[cecilia97]

I sent a mail to our archdiocese Office of Worship hoping to find out if this particular parish has been given a dispensation. You might want to write to them to inquire about your own parish as well.

I sincerely believe this is a simple oversight, rather than any kind of disobedience.

It may be, but if you know my pastor, you’ll understand why I don’t think it’s even oversight. He’s a rules type, very thorough, and very reverent. I will ask him in person.

Purely speculation, but I think we get special permissions for some things because of our proximity to a major SSPX church with whom we are trying to dialogue.

Thanks for the link.

 

[Brendan]

wondering why it is done?

Did they do it at the last supper?

Intinction?

First, because it has the deepest symbolism. We recieve Christ’s Glorified Body and Blood in each species. Christ is alive, His blood is not seperated from His Body as it was in death.

Recieving the Eucharist intincted provides the deepest symbolic representation of that Mystery.

Secondly, it the method of offering both species that is Universally permitted, every sui juris Church, every location, every diocese.

The same is not true for the faithful recieving from the chalice.

Thirdly, it involves fewer ministers. In my parish, the Eucharist is presented by the priest and the deacon intincted. No EMHC’s are needed and the faithful recieve both species.