Liturgy and Music

Intinction

Questions and concerns about intinction have been raised recently. The Catholic Encyclopedia defines intinction: “This is the term for a method of giving Holy Communion, now used by some Churches of the Byzantine and the Melkite Rites. Before being given to the communicant, the consecrated bread is dipped into the consecrated wine.” Since the Constitution on the Liturgy of Vatican II, intinction is permitted under certain circumstances in the Latin Rite. Communion given by intinction is not customary in the United States, it is “more fitting when the number of communicants is small and all in the assembly wish to receive Communion under both kinds. For in larger assemblies not all may be able or wish to receive the precious blood.” (This Holy and Living Sacrifice, 50 & 51)

When communion is received under both kinds by intinction in the Roman Catholic Church a communion plate is held below the chin of the communicant. The priest dips the host into the chalice and says, “The body and blood of Christ.” The communicant responds, “Amen,” and receives communion on the tongue from the priest. (General Instruction of the Roman Missal, 246) There are no other provisions for receiving communion by intinction.

Additional instruction states “...nor may the communicants receive the host and dip it into the chalice.” (Appendix to the General Instruction, 240, c) and “...the communicant may never dip the eucharistic bread into the chalice.” (THLS, 52) This act could be viewed as taking communion rather than receiving communion. Remember Jesus’ words, “eat” and “drink” He did not mention dipping.

When people “intinct” themselves, not only are they in violation of our Church’s law, there is the danger of drops of the Precious Blood falling off the host and onto the floor. Further, there is an increased health risk as the result of the communicants hand and fingers touching the rim and insides of the chalice as well as the Precious Blood itself.

It has been suggested that receiving communion from a “common cup” presents a health risk. The alcohol content of the wine used, along with the fact that Eucharistic Ministers carefully wipe the rim of the cup after each communicant receives, reduces any perceived health risk to something less than drinking a soft drink at a restaurant. There are no documented cases of disease being passed along as the result of receiving communion from a common cup in a Roman Catholic Church. Further, the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta has repeatedly issued statements to this effect.

Stephen Williams
Director of Music and Liturgy

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