Dear Brothers and Sisters,

 

I have been asked before about why we have servers holding the Communion paten at Mass during the distribution of Holy Communion at some of our parishes. I think it is important to point out that the use of the server paten is expected and likely required by the General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) that governs how we celebrate the Mass. In GIRM 118 it explicitly lists among those things that are to be prepared at the credence table “the Communion-plate [Latin: patina] for the Communion of the faithful.” It is clear this is distinct from the paten which is placed on the main chalice, because that paten is listed separately, as is the ciboria which holds the hosts for the people. It is also clear that it is not optional, as other items which are optional are clearly noted as such: “if appropriate, the pall” or “if needed, ciboria,” but the server paten is listed simply as something that must be there in the same way as the chalice or corporal or purificator.

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It is true that the GIRM does not explicitly state in its instructions on the distribution of Holy Communion that the servers are to use those patens or describe how they should be used – and I think some priests have used that as reasons to simply leave them on the credence table and not use them at all – but it does not make sense for the GIRM to call for the placement of the patens if it did not intend them to actually be used. Furthermore, in Redemptionis Sacramentum, the document from the Vatican “On certain matters to be observed or avoided regarding the Most Holy Eucharist”, it does clearly state that “the Communion-plate for the Communion of the faithful should be retained, so as to avoid the danger of the sacred host, or some fragment of it, falling” (RS, 93). The Church has made clear that we are to safeguard the host from any risk of falling or any other profanation of the Sacrament, and the server paten is one way we observe that.

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I think there are other people (and maybe even some priests) who might argue that the server paten is not needed when a person receives on the hand – since in that case the hand serves as a type of paten/plate already. That argument does not carry very far, since that question was brought to the Bishop’s Committee on Divine Worship who clarified that there is no document stipulating the use of the server paten only when Holy Communion is received on the tongue. And since the paten is to be used when receiving on the tongue, but not only on the tongue, it should be used when receiving in the hand as well.

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The use of the Communion-plate is not something pre-Vatican II; it is still supposed to be the current expectation and practice of the Church. It is not optional or merely a preference of the pastor, but more of an obligation of the pastor and people are to follow. Unfortunately, many parishes got rid of their server patens, and to acquire new ones and train servers– or even to teach the people about their use - can be challenging or burdensome to the point that some parishes just do not bother with it. I think it is still a goal towards which we should be working – and a good reminder that we do not have the authority to just ignore the things we do not like. The liturgy belongs to the Church, and we are to faithfully participate in it as She has handed it down to us.

 

Peace in Christ,

Father Timothy