Eucharist & The Mass.

[Spem in alium]

I've been going to Mass at the chapel at my college, and it's a fantastic liturgy. Today I noticed something interesting about the way they distribute Communion - the congregation receives the Eucharist before the Priest and the EMHCs. Today, the Priest received Communion last - and he doesn't administer the Eucharist to himself, but receives it from an EMHC.

I've never seen this done before, and am just wondering how common a practice it is.

Blessings!

Edited September 23, 2012 by Spem in alium

[Byzantine]

I think it might be a forbidden practice, so hopefully in that case it's limited only to that chapel.

[xTrishaxLynnx]

As far as I know, the EMHCs are not even supposed to approach the altar until the priest is receiving / has received Communion, nevermind receive before him or minister to him.

Edited September 23, 2012 by xTrishaxLynnx

[xTrishaxLynnx]

Aha!



[quote]Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion approach the altar as the priest receives
Communion. Local custom determines where the EMHC stand and wait. After the
priest has concluded his own Communion, he distributes Communion to the EMHC
and then hands the sacred vessels to them for distribution of Holy Communion to the
people (NDRHC, no. 38).

[/quote]

[sup]NDRHC= Norms for the Distribution and Reception of Holy Communion Under Both Kinds in the Dioceses of the United States of America[/sup]

[Spem in alium]

Thanks guys. The EMHCs here come up to the altar when we say "Lamb of God" and take their vessels. They stand at their places, and then the Priest says "Behold...", followed by "Lord, I am not worthy...".

We also stand during the Consecration, which I find very awkward. There are no kneelers.

This is upsetting, particularly as options for worship here are limited. Should I try and find a new place to go?

[Groo the Wanderer]

I would mention both to the priest. Have him sit with you and go through the GIRM, which is in the front of the Roman Missal.

PROBLEM: The EMHCs should not be at the altar before the priest receives communion.
PROBLEM: The Priest should always receive first and from his own hand.

Not a problem: Standing during the consecration is OK if kneeling is not an option due to space issues. Sitting is never OK

However, if there is room to kneel, you should. We do it at Youth 2000 in a gymnasium, at DCYC in a hotl ballroom, and at the local World Youth Day at Six Flags...all of which have no kneelers.

[Spem in alium]

[quote name='Groo the Wanderer' timestamp='1348431561' post='2485744']
I would mention both to the priest. Have him sit with you and go through the GIRM, which is in the front of the Roman Missal.

PROBLEM: The EMHCs should not be at the altar before the priest receives communion.
PROBLEM: The Priest should always receive first and from his own hand.

Not a problem: Standing during the consecration is OK if kneeling is not an option due to space issues. Sitting is never OK

However, if there is room to kneel, you should. We do it at Youth 2000 in a gymnasium, at DCYC in a hotl ballroom, and at the local World Youth Day at Six Flags...all of which have no kneelers.
[/quote]

In the few weeks I've been here, we've had a different Priest each Sunday. As far as I know, they're all from the local monastic community. They're not really around before or after Mass, as far as I can tell.

There's more than enough room to kneel, so I can't really understand why they don't. The first week I was here, I went to kneel after the "Holy, Holy" and got some pretty strange (borderline dirty, if memory serves me well) looks because no one else moved. Each week I feel uncomfortable standing - it's so disrespectful to Christ in my mind - but I don't feel like I have much of a choice. The first few pews are occupied by Sisters, so from where I sat if I knelt I wouldn't be able to see anything (not such an important point, but I try to be in a place where I can see the Priest even if I'm kneeling). I have made a point of bowing the whole time when I should be kneeling.

There is a Parish down the street with a Mass at 8am on Sundays. I'm thinking I might go there next week and see how they do things. And there's a church on the University campus connected with this College, so if I have time I will check the Mass out...though I think the Celebrants are the same as the ones we have here. Even if these churches do things differently, I will see if I can speak with either a Priest or one of the Sisters here, because as far as I'm aware, things like that can make a Mass invalid.

EDIT: Considering these are incorrect practices, should I stop attending Mass at this particular Chapel?

Edited September 23, 2012 by Spem in alium