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Question Title Posted By Question Date
Use of the Paten in distrubuting the Eucharist Frank Tuesday, June 14, 2005

Question:

Presumably, the church still teaches that every particle of the Eucharist, even the most minute) is the living body of Christ. Why then does the post Vatican II church permit distribution of the consecrated Host without requiring use of the Paten to prevent desicration of the small particles which will inevitably fall to the floor. Closely related is the question of purifying one's hands after handling the Sacred Species. Again, for the purpose of protecting even the smallest morcel from disrespect, intended or unintended. Priests do but Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist do not. Can you explain why?

Question Answered by Mr. Jacob Slavek

Dear Frank,

My guess would be that it is because of the widespread use of receiving on the hand, when it should be taught that one of the hands should serve as a "paten".

I'm not saying that I'm comfortable with all the people receiving in the hand, but practically speaking a well-trained hand does the same job as a paten.  Remember also that the Eucharistic Bread should be crumb-free.

No, I really don't know why the Church hasn't specifically required extraordinary ministers to purify their hands, best I can think of is because the Church wasn't planning on the over-use (abuse) of these ministers.

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.