receiving Eucharist QUESTION from Rev Fr. James M. May May 5, 2000 When the priest is about to distribute the hosts to the other concelebrants after the concentration, is it proper if there is a deacon present, for the deacon to receive the host in his hand at this time? I am told by other priests that this is proper but notice my pastor does not give the hosts to our deacon. This is causing a problem as the deacon feels he is ordained and intitled to receive the host at the time of the priests.
ANSWER by Mr. John Miskell on Friday, May 5, 2000 Dear Father May,
Thank you for this most interesting question.
As you know, while the deacon is indeed a member of the ordained clergy, he is not a concelebrant and care should be taken so-as not to create the impression that he is concelebrating. With this in mind, the General Instruction of the Roman Missal tells us that the deacon receives Communion at a different time than the celebrant and / or concelebrants.
After the priest's communion, the deacon receives under both kinds and then assists the priest in giving communion to the people. But if communion is given under both kinds, the deacon ministers the chalice to the communicants and is the last to drink from it. [GIRM #137]
The deacon receives communion last.... [GIRM #204]
I hope this helps.
Thank you and God bless you.
John Miskell
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