Bulletin Q&A Article; Published 3-17-24:
What is the proper procedure if a host is dropped? Someone I know was told by a Eucharistic Minister that they should not touch it, only the EM could and she was required to consume it.
Before I address the question, let me start by dealing with the term Eucharistic Minister. The U.S. Bishops write: “In every celebration of the Eucharist, there should be a sufficient number of ministers of Holy Communion so that it may be distributed in a reverent and orderly manner. Bishops, priests and deacons distribute Holy Communion in virtue of their office as ordinary ministers of the Body and Blood of the Lord.” The General Instruction of the Roman Missal states: “If such Priests are not present and there is a truly large number of communicants, the Priest may call upon extraordinary ministers to assist him, that is, duly instituted acolytes or even other faithful who have been duly deputed for this purpose” (GIRM #162). When the laity was allowed to participate in the distribution of Holy Communion, it was intended only for extraordinary circumstances—when the congregation was very large, and the priests were so few, that distribution of Communion could not be done in an orderly manner. The initial title was “Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist” which was abbreviated as EME. This became shortened to EM, and many people thought the “E” referred to Eucharistic when it really stands for extraordinary. The official title is now “Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion”, EMHC, to try to prevent this confusion.
Now back to the question. We believe that the host is the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus Christ, and it is proper that we treat it with the utmost respect and dignity. Unfortunately, however, accidents do happen and sometimes a host drops to the ground. The GIRM calls out this procedure: “If a host or any particle should fall, it is to be picked up reverently; and if any of the Precious Blood is spilled, the area where the spill occurred should be washed with water, and this water should then be poured into the sacrarium in the sacristy” (GIRM #280). The host can be picked up and consumed by either the communicant or the minister if it is not soiled or contaminated. If the host is not fit for consumption, it should be dissolved in water and poured down the sacrarium, a special sink in the sanctuary that drains into the ground and not into the sewage system.
This may be considered the minimum procedure. Prior to Vatican II, the papal bull, De Defectibus, by Pope Saint Pius V ratifying the Council of Trent, states: “If a consecrated host or any particle of it falls to the ground or floor, it is to be taken up reverently, a little water is to be poured over the place where it fell, and the place is to be dried with a purificator. If it falls on clothing, the clothing need not be washed. If it falls on a woman’s clothing, the woman herself is to take the particle and consume it” (45). (It is interesting to note that, even prior to Vatican II, a lay woman was allowed to touch the host in the interest of modesty.) If a host drops during distribution of Communion, it should be consumed and then a purificator placed over the spot so that it can be wiped with a wet purificator later.
A few months back, I dropped a host at the Communion rail. The communicant picked it up reverently and consumed it. I then placed a purificator over the spot where the host had landed so that I could wipe the spot after distribution was complete. Unfortunately, several communicants, who came up later during distribution, saw the purificator on the kneeler and picked it up and graciously handed it to me intending to do me a favor. Please, if you see a purificator on the kneeler or on the ground during distribution of Holy Communion, leave it where it is and avoid kneeling or stepping on it.