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To: christianhomeschoolmommaof3

The priest receives communion first and this is an official rule. There is no deviation from this.

Typically, those handing out Communion, Altar boys, the choir, etc. go next. But I can’t seem to find a reference that this is mandatory. I do not think it is mandatory - it is just custom.

What happens during Communion is the priest, with God’s help, turns the bread into the Body and Blood of Christ and he turns the wine into the Body and Blood of Christ. During transubstantiation the priest uses the words that say he is turning the bread into the Body of Christ, but that does not mean that it is not also the Blood of Christ. Same thing for the wine - he uses the words “this is my Blood”, but it is also the Body of Christ.

Theologically, we know the wine becomes both and the bread becomes both because of:

1 Corinthians 11:27

27 So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord.

The key word above is “or”, leading to a sin against both.

So receiving either “species” (that is the word we use) is sufficient because you receive ALL of Jesus with either one, according to St. Paul. So there is no requirement to receive from the Chalice if you have already received Jesus from what was bread. A large percentage of people do not receive from the Chalice. But since it was present at the Funeral I see know reason they could not have also received from the Chalice. Maybe it was something as simple as they didn’t line up for it.

Thanks for asking the questions you have asked. It is always a blessing to tell people about the Catholic Church.


61 posted on 03/10/2012 8:27:25 PM PST by impimp
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To: impimp

Thanks for the explanation. We were all very curious about this. It is nice that you can ask a question without seeming disrespectful or mocking. It is nice to have respectful dialogue. That doesn’t always happen around here. Blessings.


62 posted on 03/10/2012 8:35:47 PM PST by christianhomeschoolmommaof3
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