Posted on 05/02/2009 11:14:02 PM PDT by Salvation
I’m not sick, but have been exposed - a close co-worker rides a commuter (long-distance) bus with one of the confirmed cases and he was sneezing all over the office Friday. I cancelled all my weekend plans including Mass. I’ll watch it on EWTN.
People who normally have the priest place a communion host on their tongues will now receive it in their hands.
How could Holy Water and the actual Body of Jesus Christ get contaminated with a virus??? Surely there must be some Catholics wondering that as well...
Body of Christ no chance, priest’s fingers very possibly.
My home archdiocesse, Hartford,CT, the archbishop put something similar up late last week.
Will be attending the 10:30AM Mass at my parish, plus it is the first of two first Holy Communion celibrations. Will see what will happen.
I agree about the receiving on the tongue, and hand holding during the Our Father. Actually, I think there were a few holdouts at my parish regarding the Our Father hand holding, love-in thingy, but at least no one could feel “guilty” about not “completing the chain”.
I kind of like the hand shaking for the Sign of Peace, but I am aware others don’t like that either, so when I usually do it I first let someone extend their hand to me. But it was kind of nice to not worry about that little awkward moment either.
Actually, I'll be honest with you and say I was a bit disappointed Abp. O'Brien restricted the consumption of the Precious Blood. Not only for the reason you stated, but also because, since it has the "appearance" of alcohol the virus would find an inhospitable environment.
After all, again for honesty sakes, it's always everyone's choice as to whether or not to receive the Precious Blood for this very same reason. Some are always afraid of the possibility of contracting others' illnesses, and never partake in that species. The only reason it kind of made sense in this case was that there have been some outbreaks of the so-called "swine flu" in our diocese, so perhaps His Excellency was more concerned than usual.
What I kind of felt sorry for were people who may have had allergies to gluten. As you may very well know already, reception of one species is the same as receiving both so those people usually only receive the Precious Blood instead of the Consecrated Host. But now, they have nothing to receive. I guess they could talk to their pastor about that. Maybe be an Extraordinary Eucharist Minister so they could go up to the altar and receive the Blood there. etc.
To avoid spreading the swine flu or coming in contact with someone who has it necessitates taking precautions, whether we like it or not.
Oh and as for the Holy Water, that’s a Sacramental, not a Sacrament, so it’s not transformed in any way into Christ’s body soul and divinity. It’s Holy, yes, but not Christ Himself.
I listened to a fascinating CD a while ago by Rosalynd Moss (I believe that’s how her name is spelled) entitled “Catholicism’s Jewish Roots” (or something like that). In it, she made an interesting point about “holiness”. “Holiness”, according to her is not being “sin free” (as the Saints of old were not “sin free” like Christ was/is). It’s a state of being “chosen” for a “task” (and accepting that task as far as humans go)
So in this sense, Holy Water is chosen to be the vehicle for dispensing God’s saving Grace during Baptism, however that doesn’t necessarily mean that the water itself is free of all biological contaminants. It means that the water has the ability to wash away sin because of the power of God, but not that it’s somehow “super filtered” by the same power.
It’s similar to the logic that is used when we call the Pope “Holy Father”. We don’t mean to imply that he is somehow “sin free”, but rather that he has been chosen to complete a (very special) task here on earth, namely being Christ’s representative (or steward) until His Glorious return.
I haven't checked the whole diocese, but yesterday at the 430p Mass, our priest gave out those guidelines. He also said, "If you would like to greet your own family members with a handshake, and forgo shaking hands with others, it is your decision." (BTW, he is an older man, and I could swear that he called it "swan flu." Giggle. It's the next big epidemic--a new variant of the avian (bird) flu)
Anyway, heathen that I am, I said to the lady behind me, "Something"s going to kill me. I might as well shake hands." She laughed, grabbed my hand and said, "I feel the same way!"
BTW, I have attended Latin Masses in another parish, and I really don't recollect doing the whole hand shake thing.
We did not stop this. The priest said it was a personal choice whether to receive under both forms. Actually, I noticed more people receiving from the cup. Could be my imagination, though.
Thank you. I was beginning to feel a little uncomfortable with all the coughing going on yesterday. But, I kept to my original thought. "Something's going to get me."
>>Actually, I’ll be honest with you and say I was a bit disappointed Abp. O’Brien restricted the consumption of the Precious Blood. Not only for the reason you stated, but also because, since it has the “appearance” of alcohol the virus would find an inhospitable environment.<<
Because all lips touch the outside rim of them cup, which the wine does not flow over.
Christ is complete in the host. No need to have the cup at all.
It was so difficult to receive it in my hand last night.
**It is only the priest who should have their hands outstretched towards Heaven. **
YES! Only the priest can employ the “Orans” position. When others do it, it is also a liturgical abuse.
I’l post that liturgical abuse link after church this morning.
**4. Ministers of Holy Communion should wash their hands prior to coming to Church. The use of hand sanitizers, even during Mass, is acceptable for all ministers of Holy Communion, including the priest and deacon.**
I always carry a sample size bottle of hand sanitizer in my purse. I sanitize my hands every time I assist with distributing the Eucharist or before and after I might shake hands. People sort of look at me strangely, but after this, I think they will appreciate it!
**they did note even DO the sign of peace, they completely skipped it, went straight to the Angus Dei? **
Hey, I would love this. I’ve heard that with the changes that will eventually come, provided the bishops can make decisions, this will be moved OUT of the Communion Rite anyway.
I would love to have it completely gone!
**What I kind of felt sorry for were people who may have had allergies to gluten. As you may very well know already, reception of one species is the same as receiving both so those people usually only receive the Precious Blood instead of the Consecrated Host.**
We have one young man like this. He won’t be able to receive Communion because of his wheat allergy.
Any comments from the rest of you?
I never liked those two things either. Too Kumbaya for me.
And even in the past during cold and flu season (when you hear a lot of people coughing during Mass), I have always avoided drinking from the wine chalice.
It's possible, but with all due respect, I do not believe this is likely. For example, when I have received the Precious Blood, I commonly have a bit left over on my bottom lip. I believe what happens is, due to the circular shape of chalices, and since it's difficult to completely wrap your lips around the arc due to its thin metallic surface, some of the Blood washes around the outside of your upper lip and onto your bottom lip as you are receiving.
This has been my experience when receiving the Blood (which is why I don't do it very often), but maybe others wrap their lips tightly enough around the rim that there is no spillover. I don't see how though, because every time I've tried to do so tightly enough, the rim of the metallic chalice almost cuts my lip open. And I've still failed every time.
So, since it was on my bottom lip after receiving, then it's likely some of it was left on the outside rim of the cup. Also, due to capillary action, as the chalice is wiped, some of the Blood will flow through the cloth and thus, eventually touch the outside rim as well.
These are my thoughts and why I don't feel squeamish receiving from a cup some stranger also touched with their mouth. However, as you said, Christ is complete in the Host so it's not a point to truly argue about. My thoughts immediately went to those with gluten allergies when the temporary prohibition was announced, and I do truly feel sorry for such people in this circumstance.
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