Q: I am curious if the Church will ever go back to giving the consecrated wine at communion. I feel like it clearly states that we should receive both the Body and Blood of Christ at every Mass. I grew up taking both at communion and feel very disappointed that this has been taken away from us. If it is for health reasons, I suggest disposable mini communion cups. I really want this at Mass. When will we go back? — Susie
Answered by Fr. Edward McIlmail, LC:
A: Strictly speaking, it’s not necessary to receive both species. When we receive the host, we receive both the Body and Blood of Jesus.
In its “Norms for the Distribution and Reception of Holy Communion under Both Kinds in the Dioceses of the United States of America,” the U.S. bishops’ conference says:
“15. The communicant makes this act of faith in the total presence of the Lord Jesus Christ whether in Communion under one form or in Communion under both kinds. It should never be construed, therefore, that Communion under the form of bread alone or Communion under the form of wine alone is somehow an incomplete act or that Christ is not fully present to the communicant. The Church’s unchanging teaching from the time of the Fathers through the ages—notably in the ecumenical councils of Lateran IV, Constance, Florence, Trent, and Vatican II—has witnessed to a constant unity of faith in the presence of Christ in both elements.”
Many parishes did away with distributing the Precious Blood after COVID because of lingering health concerns. It’s up to each bishop and/or pastor to decide on this matter.
If you really miss receiving the chalice, you might look for parishes that offer it.
In any case, a parish should never use disposable cups for the Precious Blood.
Vessels holding the Precious Blood must be high quality and durable and purified in the proper way after communion and never thrown in the trash, which would be a desecration.
The General Instruction of the Roman Missal says:
“328. Sacred vessels are to be made from precious metal. If they are made from metal that rusts or from a metal less precious than gold, then ordinarily they should be gilded on the inside.
“329. In the Dioceses of the United States of America, sacred vessels may also be made from other solid materials that, according to the common estimation in each region, are precious, for example, ebony or other hard woods, provided that such materials are suited to sacred use and do not easily break or deteriorate.”
One other point: Catholics aren’t obliged to receive Communion at every Mass. When they do receive, the host is sufficient.
