Ask Father: Hand Sanitizer and Particles of the Host

Father Zed has a humourous take on a deadly serious question.

From Fr Z's Blog

I’ve seen various guidelines from dioceses and from a USCCB committee which – properly – uphold distribution of Communion on the tongue during these COVID-1984 phases.  They say with variations that the minister can or must use hand sanitizer between communicants.    They say that only for Communion on the tongue, by the way.

That brings up an interesting problem: particles of Host that might then be caught up in or imbued with hand sanitizer.

What to do as a priest distributing Communion?  Wash my hands after repeatedly using sanitizer and then consume the liquid?

We must not knowingly put particles down the sacrarium, because that could be improper treatment of the Blessed Sacrament and perhaps an occasion to incur a serious censure.

What to do?

Here’s an idea.

I’ll appoint a Special Minister of Sanitizer to follow at my left along at the rail.

He will hold a silver tray with well-chilled martini, very dry, and with a lemon twist.

I like the Sipsmith’s Navy Strength Gin, which is 57.7%.  Lemon is, after all, traditionally used to purify the fingers after distribution of palms or ashes or anointing.

After distributing Communion to each communicant, I would then dip my digits in the martini.

Afterwards, I would probably have to consume the martini.  To avoid, you know, sacrilege.

Otherwise, perhaps a small bowl of 90% Everclear which could after Mass be set ablaze?  Probably not to consume while on fire.

I’m open to other suggestions. 

I can hear it already: “Hey, Father!  I have another suggestion!  How about Bombay Sapphire?”