Michael Brooks
Wine is an integral part of the Catholic Church, with the drink being used in the Holy Eucharist, Communion, and other sacraments. In the Roman Rite of the Catholic Church, Communion is administered to the faithful either by drinking directly from the chalice or by intinction, where the priest partially dips the consecrated bread into the wine and places it in the mouth of the communicant. The use of wine in Catholic sacraments is steeped in tradition and symbolism, with wine representing the blood of Christ. While the Catholic Church generally adheres to the rule that sacramental wine must be pure grape wine and alcoholic, some Catholic churches have considered using separate cups for Communion due to the risk of cross-contamination, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Wine for Eucharist | Must be made from grapes of the vine, natural, and not corrupt |
| Bread for Eucharist | Must be made from wheat and recently made |
| Wine in Latin Catholic Church | Shared in the Eucharist under the forms of both bread and wine |
| Wine in Protestant churches | Obligatory in the celebration of Holy Communion |
| Wine in Eastern Orthodox Church | Clergy receive the consecrated wine by drinking directly from the chalice |
| Wine in Eastern Catholic Churches | Received by the faithful under both species via intinction |
| Wine in Methodist Churches | Non-alcoholic wine (grape juice) is used in the sacrament |
| Wine in Lutheran Churches | Communicant receives a small sip of wine as the chalice is offered to them, often referred to as "the common cup" |
| Wine in Anglican Church | Similar to Lutheran Churches |
| Wine in other Protestant denominations | Small individual cups are used for communicants |
| Wine during Mass of the Presanctified and all fast days during Lent | Communion is received only under the species of bread |
| Wine during early times | Eucharist was received under both kinds |
| Wine in Eastern Rite Catholic Church | Similar to Eastern Orthodox Church |
| Wine in Roman Rite of the Catholic Church | Communion is administered under the form of wine either by drinking directly from the chalice or by intinction |
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What You'll Learn
- The shared chalice symbolises community and courageous discipleship
- Catholic wine is always pure grape wine, with nothing artificial added
- Some Catholic churches now use individual cups to reduce the risk of cross-contamination
- The wine is drunk alongside consecrated bread, either by intinction or from the chalice
- Catholic wine is a spiritual drink, with a sacramentality to its creation and consumption
The shared chalice symbolises community and courageous discipleship
The Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church require that sacramental wine be pure grape wine. In the Roman Rite of the Catholic Church, Communion is administered under the form of wine either by drinking directly from the chalice or by intinction, where the priest partially dips the consecrated bread into the wine and then places it in the communicant's mouth.
However, the use of a shared chalice has raised concerns about the risk of cross-contamination. During the COVID-19 pandemic, some Catholics suggested using separate cups, but the church was reluctant to adopt this practice due to the symbolic importance of the shared chalice and the desire to avoid disposable or mass-produced containers.
The Vatican's Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments issued an instruction in 2004, emphasising the importance of using appropriate vessels for the celebration of Mass and prohibiting the use of common containers or those made from easily breakable materials.
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Catholic wine is always pure grape wine, with nothing artificial added
The Catholic Church has always understood the sacrament to be wine (an alcoholic beverage), and not grape juice. The Code of Canon Law and the Catechism of the Catholic Church prohibit the use of any altar drink other than grape wine at the consecration of the Mass. The wine must be natural, made from grapes of the vine, and not corrupt. This means that the wine must be naturally fermented with nothing added to it, and the wine itself cannot have soured or become vinegar, nor can it have anything artificial added to it (preservatives, flavours). It may be white or red, weak or strong, sweet or dry.
The wine used in the Eucharist, or Holy Communion, is intended to symbolise the blood of Christ. In Eastern Christianity, the wine is usually red to better symbolise its change from wine into Christ's blood. The wine is usually consumed after sacramental bread, and in the Roman Rite of the Catholic Church, Communion is administered under the form of wine either by the communicant drinking directly from the chalice or by intinction. In the latter method, the priest partially dips the consecrated bread into the wine and then places it in the mouth of the communicant.
The use of a shared chalice during Communion is a symbol of community and sharing everything, even risk and suffering. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, some Catholics suggested moving away from the use of a shared chalice due to the risk of cross-contamination. Nevertheless, the church was reluctant to implement this change due to the theological significance of the shared chalice.
The wine used in the Eucharist must be of good quality and cannot be of doubtful authenticity or provenance. Wines that are frequently adulterated are not suitable for use in the Eucharist. The safest way of procuring pure wine is to buy it directly from a manufacturer who understands and respects the responsibility involved in the celebration of the Holy Sacrifice.
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Some Catholic churches now use individual cups to reduce the risk of cross-contamination
The Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church require sacramental wine to be pure grape wine. In the Roman Rite of the Catholic Church, Communion is administered either by drinking directly from the chalice or by intinction, where the priest partially dips the consecrated bread into the wine and places it in the communicant's mouth.
However, the use of a shared chalice has raised concerns about the risk of cross-contamination, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Some Catholic churches have considered adopting the practice of using individual cups, similar to those used by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and some Protestant denominations. This would reduce the risk of spreading diseases.
Nevertheless, there are several reasons why the Catholic Church has been reluctant to implement this change. Firstly, the Church values the symbolic significance of the common cup, representing community and the sharing of risk and suffering. Secondly, the Vatican's Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments has issued instructions prohibiting the use of disposable or mass-produced containers for the Eucharist. The Church also forbids pouring the consecrated wine from one container into another.
As a result, Catholic priests fill each chalice with wine before the consecration, and communicants drink directly from the chalice or receive Communion through intinction. While the use of individual cups may reduce the risk of cross-contamination, the Catholic Church prioritizes the symbolic and traditional aspects of the shared chalice in the Eucharist.
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The wine is drunk alongside consecrated bread, either by intinction or from the chalice
In the Roman Rite of the Catholic Church, Communion is administered in the form of wine either by drinking directly from the chalice or by intinction. In intinction, the priest partially dips the consecrated bread into the consecrated wine and then places it in the communicant's mouth. This method is also used in the Eastern Orthodox Church and some Eastern Catholic Churches, where it is known as the Byzantine Rite.
The use of a shared chalice is an important symbol of community for Catholics, representing the sharing of risk and suffering. However, during the current pandemic, some Catholics have suggested using separate cups to reduce the risk of cross-contamination. Nevertheless, the church is reluctant to implement this change due to the Vatican's Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments' instruction against using "common vessels" or disposable containers for the Eucharist.
The Catholic Church teaches that receiving Communion in both bread and wine is not necessary to receive the fullness of the sacrament. This belief is based on the Council of Trent's teaching that receiving either the host or the chalice provides the fullness of Jesus' body, blood, soul, and divinity. Additionally, many parishes are not designed to facilitate the smooth reception of both species.
In the Latin Catholic Church, after the Second Vatican Council, there was a return to the widespread sharing of the Eucharist in both bread and wine. However, it is worth noting that the Catholic Church does not require the laity or non-celebrating priests to receive the sacrament under both kinds. This flexibility is also observed in Protestant churches, where receiving Communion in either bread or wine is considered valid.
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Catholic wine is a spiritual drink, with a sacramentality to its creation and consumption
Wine is considered a spiritual drink in Catholicism, with a sacramentality to its creation and consumption. This is reflected in the winemaking process, from growing to fermenting to drinking, which holds a special place in Catholic tradition. Wines are seen as "the fruit of the vine and work of human hands," celebrating the collaboration between manual labour and God's providence in the vineyard.
The Catholic Church has specific criteria for the wine used in the Eucharist. According to Canon 924 of the Code of Canon Law, the wine must be natural, made from grapes of the vine without any additives, and it must be freshly fermented with nothing artificial added. The wine itself cannot have soured or turned to vinegar. These standards ensure the wine's purity and suitability for sacramental use.
In the Roman Rite of the Catholic Church, Communion is administered in the form of wine by drinking directly from the chalice or through intinction, where the priest partially dips the consecrated bread into the wine and then places it in the communicant's mouth. The use of a common chalice is significant, symbolising community and sharing in Jesus' fate, as described by Father Baldovin. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, some Catholics suggested using separate cups to reduce the risk of cross-contamination.
The consumption of wine during Communion is not limited to priests. In the Eastern Catholic Churches, the faithful routinely receive both bread and wine, either by intinction or by using a spoon to receive consecrated wine and bread from the chalice. This practice is also observed in Eastern Orthodox Churches and some Eastern Lutheran Churches.
Wine holds symbolic importance in Catholicism, representing the blood of Jesus Christ during the Eucharist. This symbolism is particularly emphasised in Eastern Christianity, where sacramental wine is typically red. The transformation of wine into Christ's blood is a central belief in the Catholic Eucharist, adding spiritual significance to the act of drinking wine during Communion.
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Frequently asked questions
In most cases, Catholics do not share a glass of wine during communion. Instead, each person drinks from the chalice, which is refilled before being passed to the next person.
The common cup is a symbol of community, intimacy, and connection. It represents sharing everything, including risk and suffering, and evokes participation in Jesus' suffering and resurrection.
The use of a shared chalice is partly due to the Vatican's instruction that the blood should not be poured from one container into another. Additionally, the use of separate cups may be seen as catering to modern individualism and consumerism, which contradicts the communal nature of the ritual.
During the Spanish flu pandemic in 1918, some churches began using individual cups, similar to shot glasses, to reduce the risk of spreading the virus. However, this practice is not widely adopted in the Catholic Church, and most Catholics continue to use a shared chalice.
