Haven't Seen This Happen Before...

[ari020888]

So I was at Mass today and after every had received communion the two EMOHCs that were still on the altar started cleaning up, ie putting water into the cups and dishes and drinking it. The priest put the Eucharist back in the Tabernacle and then continued on with Mass. I am a EMOHC in a different diocese and we are told to finish the Blood of Christ and allow the deacon and priest to "do the dishes" as a cute little girl once put it. Can lay people do that? Is it a diocese thing? I am a wee bit confused...and I apologize for not using technical terms but it is 2am and I am not awake enough to remember/look them up! Thanks for your help!

[Thy Geekdom Come]

[url="http://romancatholicblog.typepad.com/roman_catholic_blog/2006/10/pope_benedict_x.html"]http://romancatholicblog.typepad.com/roman...benedict_x.html[/url]

From my understanding, the dioceses of the United States had permission to allow lay people to cleanse the vessels, but it was denied an extension by Pope Benedict. As I recall, the cleansing of the vessels is a priestly act to be carried out by clergy (as many parts of the Eucharistic liturgy are) and it is not appropriate for lay people to do it.

God bless,

Micah

[cappie]

Redemptionis Sacramentum 25 March 2004

[119.] The Priest, once he has returned to the altar after the distribution of Communion, standing at the altar or at the credence table, purifies the paten or ciborium over the chalice, then purifies the chalice in accordance with the prescriptions of the Missal and wipes the chalice with the purificator. Where a Deacon is present, he returns with the Priest to the altar and purifies the vessels. It is permissible, however, especially if there are several vessels to be purified, to leave them, covered as may be appropriate, on a corporal on the altar or on the credence table, and for them to be purified by the Priest or Deacon immediately after Mass once the people have been dismissed. Moreover a duly instituted acolyte assists the Priest or Deacon in purifying and arranging the sacred vessels either at the altar or the credence table. In the absence of a Deacon, a duly instituted acolyte carries the sacred vessels to the credence table and there purifies, wipes and arranges them in the usual way.

GIRM: 163. When the distribution of Communion is finished, the priest himself immediately and completely consumes at the altar any consecrated wine that happens to remain; as for any consecrated hosts that are left, he either consumes them at the altar or carries them to the place designated for the reservation of the Eucharist.

Upon returning to the altar, the priest collects any fragments that may remain. Then, standing at the altar or at the credence table, he purifies the paten or ciborium over the chalice then purifies the chalice, saying quietly, Quod ore sumpsimus (Lord, may I receive), and dries the chalice with a purificator. If the vessels are purified at the altar, they are carried to the credence table by a minister. Nevertheless, it is also permitted, especially if there are several vessels to be purified, to leave them suitably covered on a corporal, either at the altar or at the credence table, and to purify them immediately after Mass following the dismissal of the people

192. Likewise, when the distribution of Communion is completed, a duly instituted acolyte
helps the priest or deacon to purify and arrange the sacred vessels. When no deacon is present, a duly instituted acolyte carries the sacred vessels to the credence table and there purifies, wipes, and arranges them in the usual way.