Dear Father, I am worried that I am not receiving full communion when the cup is not available at Mass. Why isn’t the cup distributed at all Masses so that we can all receive full communion? – T.B.
Dear T.B., this is a question of great importance now that Bishop Earl Fernandes has permitted, on a trial basis, the distribution of the Precious Blood at Mass.
There are two forms, or species, of Holy Communion – the consecrated host, or the Body of Christ, and the consecrated wine, or the Precious Blood of Christ. It is important to use correct terms to refer to Holy Communion.
Many people wrongly refer to receiving the Precious Blood as “the cup” or “the wine.” It is proper to say that one receives from the chalice, even if there are multiple chalices in use at Mass, whether you drink from the chalice or receive Holy Communion by intinction. “Cup” and “wine” really don’t cut it when we’re referring to the Holy Eucharist.
Some people wonder if it is wrong if they do not receive both the consecrated host and the Precious Blood at every Mass. Many have been told that they are missing out on the full effects of Holy Communion if they receive only the host.
The clear answer is that it is completely proper to receive only one form, or species, of Holy Communion. Further, any baptized Catholic in the state of grace receives the full effects of Holy Communion regardless of which consecrated species he/she receives, even in the smallest particle.
The time-honored Catholic practice of receiving only the consecrated host also dispels an old heresy called Utraquism. The name comes from the Latin word utraque, meaning “both.” There were people who believed that everyone was obliged to receive both the consecrated host and the Precious Blood to be saved.
They based their thinking on the words of Jesus in John 6:53: “Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, you have no life in you.” The proponents of this heresy said that they should be able to receive both species whenever and wherever they wanted. They also erroneously believed that they received more grace when they received Holy Communion under both kinds.
One great difficulty with this heresy is that it implies that Christ is not fully present under each of the species. Some in our day believe that they are receiving only part of Christ. But this is absolutely untrue. The Church explains that Christ, resurrected from the dead, is indivisible. Where His Body is, there is also His Blood, as well as His human soul and His divinity.
It has been the practice throughout the world for Catholics to receive only the consecrated host at Holy Communion for practical considerations, in part, to simplify its distribution, especially with a greater number of people receiving the sacrament.
Most of all, though, there is less possibility of desecration of the Eucharist under this form. When the Precious Blood is distributed, there is the danger of spillage, which happens frequently on account of the lack of due caution with handling something so great as the Blood of Jesus. Spilling Christ’s Blood is a very serious matter.
As long ago as the 13th century, St. Thomas Aquinas wrote that “because the multitude of the Christian people increased, in which there are old, young and children, some of whom have not enough discretion to observe due caution in using this sacrament, on that account it is a prudent custom in some churches for the blood not to be offered to the reception of the people, but to be received by the priest alone.”
The Council of Trent also declared definitively that others than the celebrating priests are not obliged to receive under both species and that Holy Communion under either species is sufficient for salvation.
In our own time, the Second Vatican Council underlined the teaching of Trent but granted that Holy Communion under both kinds could be made available if bishops saw fit. Canon Law makes it clear that Holy Communion is given under the form of bread alone, or under the form of wine alone, or even under both species according to liturgical laws.
Present liturgical law insists that pastors take care to teach the faithful about Christ’s full presence under each species and that the Church has the authority to decide what is the best way for due reverence to be shown to the Holy Eucharist when we receive this great sacrament.
It is a special privilege to receive Holy Communion under both forms. Always remember that it is our God we receive. Treat Him with the greatest reverence no matter which form of Holy Communion you receive.