What is done with extra communion hosts...

johnnyjones · #1 Mar 16, '12, 8:22 pm

..when a mass ends? Since they are the actual body of Christ, are they redistributed elsewhere? Also the wine (blood of Christ). I'm sure there must be "extras" at times. Thanks.

PerfectTiming · #2 Mar 16, '12, 8:28 pm

The priest drinks the remaining Blood of Christ. Remaining consecrated hosts are placed into the tabernacle for later use.

MarkThompson · #3 Mar 16, '12, 8:30 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnnyjones

..when a mass ends? Since they are the actual body of Christ, are they redistributed elsewhere? Also the wine (blood of Christ). I'm sure there must be "extras" at times. Thanks.

The consecrated wine must be consumed at Mass (only under extremely rare circumstances can it be kept), so the priest, and if necessary other ministers, will finish it. As to the remaining hosts, they are reserved in the Tabernacle, and can be used to take Holy Communion to the sick or distributed at a subsequent Mass. This is why there is a candle or lamp burning next to the Tabernacle, and why we genuflect toward it -- because of the real presence of Christ in the blessed Sacrament which is reserved there.

Richard320 · #4 Mar 16, '12, 9:20 pm

You already got the answer.

The Tabernacle with a lit (almost always with a red glass chimney) candle has the Reserved Eucharist. Since a Priest can only Confect the Eucharist during a Mass, if he gets called out to someone's deathbed, he needs a supply at the ready.

But that's not the main reason I had to reply. Show up at Mass Holy Thursday. It's fast approaching. At the end of it there will be a procession with the Eucharist being carried out of the church. The Tabernacle will be left empty until Easter.