Intinction Update

In Paul Turner's Blog by Paul Turner

Q: In your response on intinction, the questioner asked: “Why is intinction at Holy Communion not permitted for the whole congregation? It seems inconsistent that concelebrating priests may do so  but not the remainder of God’s worshipping People. Is there any move to review GIRM to permit intinction particularly as sharing of the chalice  is no longer a safe practice in the face of Covid and other virus?” 

You answered  (rightly, as to be expected) concerning self-intinction, which is permitted for the priest, and not the  congregation.

I was reading the question as to intinction was permitted at all.

The GIRM says,  “The Blood of the Lord may be received either by drinking from the chalice directly, or by intinction, or by means of a tube or a spoon” (245).

Intinction remains a legitimate form of  receiving the Eucharist,  though I suspect it fell into disuse as Communion in the hand became the prevalent form of reception, since the intincted  Host must be received on the tongue.

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A: You are correct, of course. I assumed that the question pertained to self-intinction. The priest may administer communion by dipping a host into a chalice held by the deacon, announcing, “The Body and Blood of Christ,” and placing communion directly into the mouth of the recipient.

But an individual may not receive the host in hand, proceed to the chalice station, dip the host there and self-communicate.