The Church Prescribes The Use Of The Paten

 

The Church prescribes the use of the paten for Communion to avoid having any particles of the Sacred Host fall to the ground (see Missale Romanum, Institutioo generalis, number 118; Redemptionis episcoporum, number 93) and that the bishop wash his hands after distribution of Communion ( see Caeremoniale episcoporum, number 166). When Communion is given in the hand, not infrequently particles separate from the Host, either falling to the ground or remaining on the palm and fingers of the communicants.

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