I am not in principle opposed to the Common Chalice. But I don’t like it for personal reasons.
With that said, in every parish that I have served, up until the H1N1 flu around 2009 or so, I have had the common chalice at every Sunday and daily Mass. Yes, in every parish I served since 1980.
What happened in 2009 with the H1N1 epidemic in this country was eye-opening and confirmed what I had always believed about the Common Chalice. It spreads epidemics.
My then bishop, Bishop Kevin Boland, asked that parishes stop with the practice of the Common Chalice during the epidemic. That was the first time that I had experienced as a priest no common chalice to the laity.
It was the first time, too, that officials in the Church admitted that the common chalice could lead to the spread of a virus and yes to an epidemic and yes to a pandemic. The first time everrrr! Because up until that time, relying on faulty science and wishful thinking, liturgists told us that the alcohol content of the wine, the turning of the chalice and wiping the rim of it with a purificator would protect the communicant from a virus. Never mind telling communicants that if they are the 3rd or more person drinking from the same chalice, you not only put your mouth directly onto someone else’s saliva but you are also drinking saliva that is mixed with the Precious Blood, and perhaps more saliva than Precious Blood. 🩸
The Covid Pandemic not only saw Masses being canceled but post-shut-down the common chalice was eliminated
Not having a hoard of Communion Ministers approach the altar at the Rite of Holy Communion returned the Rite of Holy Communion to noble simplicity so desired by Vatican II.
And an added bonus is that no one was or is needlessly exposed to something that could cause a pandemic or epidemic.
However, in one parish that I assist, the common chalice has returned to two of their Sunday Masses. The Communion Rite is somewhat chaotic making sure the right people get the right chalice and ciborium.
The scene at the altar is not attractive or choreographed. It is ugly actually. Liturgy should be eye-appealing not something that causes the laity to want to look away.
Have you had the Common Chalice lately?
4 comments:
I don't receive from the chalice. I have always thought that Communion from the chalice is pointless, because one gets the "entire Jesus" under either species. The practice ought to be cancelled for the reason you cite- disease- and because of the risk of spillage and profanation. Perhaps the laity could be taught that they lose nothing by receiving only the consecrated host, and those too ignorant to know this can be told to suffer in silence.
Thank God, in the two parishes I attend, no!
I've said for years that intinction is the way to go. If people wanted to receive the Precious Blood they would by receiving the intincted Host on their tongue. That would seem to limit a bit the abuse I see with Communion in the Hand.
The Chalice is offered during Mass throughout my diocese.
Pax.
Mark Thomas
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