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Question Title Posted By Question Date
Holy Communion Maria Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Question:

Today when I was receiving Communion, the priest broke a Consecrated Host into pieces because there wasn't enough for everybody. He gave me 2 quarters and as I was lifting them up to my mouth, I saw a speck of something float down to the ground. This may or may not have been a crumb of the Consecrated Host. I could not catch it. Is that a problem, and what should I have done about it?

Question Answered by Mr. Jacob Slavek

Dear Maria,

Yes, it is a problem when a particle of the host is dropped to the ground, even the smallest piece.  If it can be retrieved it should be given to the priest, he'll take care of it.  If the particle is too small then the priest still needs to be informed so he can take care of floor after the Mass, some priests may even want to clean up right away during the Mass.

It would have been entirely appropriate to stop the communion line to investigate whether or not an accident had occurred.  I don't believe the Church has any rules that actually oblige the laity in this area, but it should be done anyway out of respect for the Eucharist.

I know some people may not at first realize what has happened, or may be too shy to "make a scene", if this is the case then the priest should be informed immediately following Mass.  Once he's told, it becomes his problem and you wouldn't need to worry any more.

By the way you should tell your pastor about what happened.  Just in case it really was a particle of the host that you saw falling, he needs to know so he can be more careful in the future.

Hope this helps,

Mr. Slavek


Footer Notes: (a) A Eucharistic Minister is clergy (Ordinary Ministers of Holy Communion). Laity are Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion and should never be called Eucharistic Ministers.

(b) There is no such Mass called the Novus Ordo. The Current Mass is the Roman Missal of 2000, or the Oridinary Form of the Mass. The Tridentine Mass is the Roman Missal of 1962, or the Extraordinary Form of the Mass. Please refrain from using the term, Novus Ordo. Thanks.

(c) The titles of Acolyte and Lector belong exclusively to the Installed Offices of Acolyte and Lector, who are men (only) appointed by the Bishop. These roles performed by others are Altar Servers and Readers, respectively.