Does this happen in your parish?

[Michelina]

Breaking the Host Before the Consecration

ROME, OCT. 26, 2004 (Zenit.org).- Answered by Father Edward McNamara, professor of liturgy at the Regina Apostolorum Pontifical University.

"Q: The pastor of my parish breaks the bread into two pieces prior to consecrating the bread into the precious Body of Christ. Then he holds the two pieces of bread, one in one hand, one in the other. Then he spreads his hands wide apart, and as he pronounces the words of consecration, he brings his hand together, and touches the two consecrated hosts at the lower end. I always understood that the bread is not to be broken till after the Lamb of God is announced. This is a source of concern and very disturbing to some of the members of our parish. -- E.F., Scottsdale, Arizona

A: This theme is succinctly addressed in the instruction "Redemptionis Sacramentum," No. 55:

"In some places there has existed an abuse by which the Priest breaks the host at the time of the consecration in the Holy Mass. This abuse is contrary to the tradition of the Church. It is reprobated and is to be corrected with haste."

It is hard to be much clearer than that."

 

[ShannonMcCatholic]

Luckily- no! Though one never knows what next Sunday holds!

 

[Irenaeus]

I read this in Redemptionis Sacramentum. There is to be no breaking of the host until the Agnus Dei. Some Priests break it when they say, "Take this, and eat it, all of you, in rememberance of me."

Ooops!

 

[ZooMom]

Once at my parish, my family was bringing up the gifts, and I had the bread. I noticed that it was broken as I was going up and it puzzled me. Well, it really disturbed Father Jim (our old priest). He even asked me right there if I had broken it! I assured him that I had done no such thing, and he sighed a big sigh and went ahead and used it, because really, what else could he do? After Mass he questioned the people who were responsible for arranging the gifts at the back of the church, who assured him that it was whole when they set it out. The best we could figure is that someone coming into the church broke it either maliciously or accidentally, although an accident seemed unlikely.

 

[Michelina]

Once at my parish, my family was bringing up the gifts, and I had the bread. I noticed that it was broken as I was going up and it puzzled me. Well, it really disturbed Father Jim (our old priest). He even asked me right there if I had broken it! I assured him that I had done no such thing, and he sighed a big sigh and went ahead and used it, because really, what else could he do? After Mass he questioned the people who were responsible for arranging the gifts at the back of the church, who assured him that it was whole when they set it out. The best we could figure is that someone coming into the church broke it either maliciously or accidentally, although an accident seemed unlikely.

Jeesh!

Fortunately, it doesn't happen in our parish. But I have seen it done elsewhere.

Some priests seem to think that they can do anything they like.

 

[ThereseTheLittleFlower]

I don't think, it happens at my new Church. At my old Church in Florida, I think it might have been broken sometimes at the part of take this all of you and it....

Renee

 

[AMDG]

As Mother Angelica (EWTN fame) today we belong to the "electric" church. Every Sunday there's a new shock.

 

[ZooMom]

As Mother Angelica (EWTN fame) today we belong to the "electric" church. Every Sunday there's a new shock.

LOL!

 

[Carrye]

Some Priests break it when they say, "Take this, and eat it, all of you, in rememberance of me."

A friend and I were discussing why this is theologically incorrect, but I can't for the life of me remember why. (I'm sure someone here will fill in my gap. )

 

[christiangirrl]

I see my priest break the bread before he eats it, does that count?

 

[Carrye]

I see my priest break the bread before he eats it, does that count?

Right before he consumes the Host? That's ok.

 

[christiangirrl]

ohh I thought that was okay to do. i guess i misread the post

 

[Michelina]

Bumpato!

Buona Notte!

 

[FullyMT]

Never seen the host dropped by my priest before it is transformed into the Host. Although after the consecration he has dropped Him and the Host has split in half at hitting the ground...

 

[artnalex]

Bumpato!

Buona Notte!

Buena noche, Michelina! Sueña con los angelitos.

 

[ZooMom]

Never seen the host dropped by my priest before it is transformed into the Host. Although after the consecration he has dropped Him and the Host has split in half at hitting the ground...

*wince*