Eric Stoutz
Information Specialist
Catholics United for the Faith
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Dear Catholic Exchange:
I would like to know the correct way to approach/confront an individual who receives the consecrated host and does not consume it but puts it in his/her pocket. I am an usher in my church and have been in a situation where I have been told by a parishioner that an individual was seen putting the host in his pocket. What does one do? Lately, the Eucharistic Ministers and Ushers have been told not to confront the individual but to report it to the priest or other staff person. It seems to me that reporting after the fact allows the culprit to leave with no opportunity for the individual to be confronted. Where can I find some information on this subject?
Best regards,
An Usher
Dear Faithful Usher,
Peace in Christ!
“Confront” might imply harshness. “Approach” might be better. He should not be permitted to leave with the Host, but he might be well intentioned and should be treated with kindness and respect. Perhaps one usher can watch him while another summons the staff person. Is the staff person prepared for such an event? Is there a designated staff person for each Mass, who is not participating in the celebration of the Mass and who can address the situation immediately? It would seem that the priest celebrant would be the least available for handling the situation.
Ideally, the minister of Communion is trained well enough to see whether the communicant has indeed consumed the Host. If the communicant walks away with the Host, he should be stopped immediately, before he takes more than a few steps. The minister can kindly ask him whether he is Catholic. If affirmative, the minister can kindly offer the communicant the option of immediately consuming the Host or returning the Host to the minister. If negative, the minister should kindly request the Host be returned. If the communicant is not responsive or is uncooperative, then the minister can gently take him aside and explain. In theory, this is what an usher can do, although if the pastor decides only certain people should handle the situation, then all should be trained for that possibility. Perhaps the pastor might be willing to train the extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion to make sure hosts are consumed before communicants walk away.
Here is what Bishop Vasa instructs for the Diocese of Baker, OR:
34. Besides the very real physical requirements, Eucharistic ministers, whether Ordinary or Extraordinary, have a very serious obligation to take responsibility for the Sacred Species temporarily entrusted to them. Those charged with the responsibility of distributing our Sacred Lord must take great care while He is in their custody. In distributing our Lord in the liturgical assembly the minister must be reasonably certain that the person presenting himself or herself for communion at least minimally comprehends the meaning of communion and is Catholic. If there is a doubt then the minister has the obligation to ask. If someone presents themselves for communion who appears to be uncatechized again the minister must inquire. If someone seeks to ’take’ the host rather than receive it a brief instruction needs to be given. If someone intends to dip the host they have received into the Precious Blood (self-intinction) the minister must inform that this is not permitted and reasonably impede such attempts. If someone receives the host and carries it back to the pew with them without apparently having consumed it the minister must make certain that no disrespect comes to our Sacred Lord. The minister may even have to retrieve a host distributed to someone who has no understanding of the meaning of communion. These are serious responsibilities.
Here is what one pastor wrote to extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion:
“Please be attentive during your sacred service. Your preparation for this moment also involves the duty to guard against anyone abusing the Body and Blood of Christ. If a person looks confused, as if he does not know what is happening in the Communion line, if someone tries to grab the Host improperly, this may be a sign that he is not Catholic. It is appropriate that we demand that everyone receive Holy Communion only in the manner set forth by the Church. Do not allow people to take the Host from you; they may receive it, not take it. They may either open their mouth to receive on the tongue or hold their hands, one over the other, raised and open. Exercising good judgment, you may have to inquire whether someone is Catholic or not. If not, they are not to be given Holy Communion. Watch to see that communicants actually consume what is given to them. If not, they are to be stopped immediately, even if that means going down an aisle after them. It is not unreasonable to inquire whether someone who has walked off with a Host is Catholic. If he is not, he should be instructed to give the Host back to you. Do not invite such a person to simply consume the Host. Assuming such a Host is not soiled, return it to the ciborium and inform the priest. Unfortunately, it happens too often that people, even Catholics, try to walk off with a Host for various strange or sinful purposes. Your attention to your surroundings can greatly minimize such sacrilege.”
United in the Faith,
