Communion Service?

[frettr00]

I went for daily mass today and the priest was absent so a "priest trainee" (for lack of a better term, he doesn't have the priest collar) said a communion service instead. I'd like to know if the communion which was given was still the Holy Eucharist, the real presence of Christ, or just bread. I'm leaning toward it being the same Eucharist at mass since we genuflect before the tabernacle due to the lord's presence there. I'd appreciate it if anyone could clarify this for me as this is the first time I've encountered this in all of my life as a Catholic.

 

[St_Barnabus]

I went for daily mass today and the priest was absent so a "priest trainee" (for lack of a better term, he doesn't have the priest collar) said a communion service instead. I'd like to know if the communion which was given was still the Holy Eucharist, the real presence of Christ, or just bread. I'm leaning toward it being the same Eucharist at mass since we genuflect before the tabernacle due to the lord's presence there. I'd appreciate it if anyone could clarify this for me as this is the first time I've encountered this in all of my life as a Catholic.

Yes it is the real presence. Usually, they distribute Holy Communion using hosts that were previously consecrated at Mass. There is always a number of hosts retained in the tabernacle, which the priest may take to the sick. This is also done for Good Friday liturgies, using reserved hosts from consecration at Holy Thursday Mass.

 

[AMDG]

And the facilitator of a communion service is not called a "priest trainee". He is usually a Extraordinary Minister, although I have experienced Communion Services facilitated by Sacristans or even a sister who happens to be attached to the parish.

 

[seashale76]

And the facilitator of a communion service is not called a "priest trainee". He is usually a Extraordinary Minister, although I have experienced Communion Services facilitated by Sacristans or even a sister who happens to be attached to the parish.

Isn't the Extraordinary Minister thing abused a lot? IIRC, my aunt's mother is an Extraordinary Minister in her parish. I've never figured it out, but this kind of thing is done, apparently.

 

[frettr00]

Thanks, now I know.

 

[Irenaeus]

Ya never know, he could have been a Seminarian. Many Seminarians have been made acolytes and so may administer Holy Communion at any time, unlike EM's, who are only deputed for a time, and for one parish.

 

[mark46]

I've seen some communion services over the years. They are necessary if daily masses are wanted in areas where there is an extreme shortage of priests (who sometimes cover several parishes). I have seen deacons and nuns be the leaders at such services, although I suppose an extraordinary minister COULD lead the service.

I would be interested in knowing whether this is more common in areas of the world where a priest is not available, even weekly.

 

[AMDG]

The REASON that there is a Communion Service (instead of Mass) is BECAUSE there isn't a priest available. Check Redemptionis Sacramentum. It notes it (along with several abuses of the Eucharist and solutions.) I believe it is somewhere around paragraph 164.

http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/c...doc_20040423_redemptionis-sacramentum_en.html

 

[RileyG]

I went for daily mass today and the priest was absent so a "priest trainee" (for lack of a better term, he doesn't have the priest collar) said a communion service instead. I'd like to know if the communion which was given was still the Holy Eucharist, the real presence of Christ, or just bread. I'm leaning toward it being the same Eucharist at mass since we genuflect before the tabernacle due to the lord's presence there. I'd appreciate it if anyone could clarify this for me as this is the first time I've encountered this in all of my life as a Catholic.

YES it was a valid Eucharist. If he took the sacred mysteries from the tabernacle they have already been pre-sanctified at a previous Mass.