Now that swine flu has reached our shores (1)

The Church has recently instructed parishioners not to receive Holy Communion by mouth in an attempt to contain the spread of swine flu. According to the Health Director General, the directive was intended to reduce the risk of priests carrying the virus from one person to another.

I am going to share a funny experience I went through but if the lesson is taken seriously the enforcement of the directive will be more effective.

During the 7 a.m. Sunday Mass, the circular that was supposed to be read in church was not even mentioned. Probably, the friar was still tired as he was yawning throughout the celebration. I could not fail noticing his behaviour since he was leading the congregation and everyone was focused on him. Initially, he sneezed while covering his mouth with his right hand and without using a paper wipe. I immediately hoped he will distribute Holy Communion with his left hand. But, soon, my hope faded away as he coughed while covering his mouth with the other hand.

During the course of the celebration he scratched his head, rubbed his eyes, explored one of his ears and even touched his nose with an index finger. And he made it so obvious! I told myself: I was not going to receive Holy Communion from him, so I opted to line up in front the minister of the Eucharist who was a nun.

My peace of mind was that I did not notice her behaviour during Mass. Since I sat in one of the front rows I ended up first to receive Holy Communion and when the nun gave me the blessed Host, I said the usual Amen and an unusual "Oh my God!" While the former expression reflected my firm belief in the Divine presence, the latter expression was a reflection of being flabbergasted as the nun gave me the other half of the host which the friar held with both hands during the celebration and which he did not take while putting it in the nun's ciborium for distribution. Well... it must have been meant for me.

Nevertheless, I still gave full weight to my Amen.

Although this was a bit amusing, it can still be of concern and perhaps, in addition to the Church's directive about receiving Holy Communion in one's hand, the distributors of Holy Communion should use antibacterial wipes or other means to clean their hands just before distributing Holy Communion. One cannot leave such practice to chance.