My e-mail to my pastor regarding Pouring the Blood of Christ from one vessel into another.

I have been unable to set up an appointment with my pastor,( I just don't have time to make the appointment, let alone go to the appointment) regarding pouring the Blood of Christ (confectioned in a decanter?) and then poured into chalices for communion of the faithful, so I have written him an e-mail. Hopefully if the subject line reads Private: Pastor Only I might have enough luck to actually have the priest read it instead of the Pastoral Assistant.

Attn Rev. Father .
Private and Confidential

Dear Father

I recently found on the Vatican Website a statement put out by the

CONGREGATION FOR DIVINE WORSHIP AND THE DISCIPLINE OF THE SACRAMENT INSTRUCTION

Redemptionis Sacramentum: On certain matters to be observed or to be avoided regarding the Most Holy Eucharist

In Chapter IV regarding HOLY COMMUNION it reads

[105.] If one chalice is not sufficient for Communion to be distributed under both kinds to the Priest concelebrants or Christ’s faithful, there is no reason why the Priest celebrant should not use several chalices.[193] For it is to be remembered that all Priests in celebrating Holy Mass are bound to receive Communion under both kinds. It is praiseworthy, by reason of the sign value, to use a main chalice of larger dimensions, together with smaller chalices.[106.] However, the pouring of the Blood of Christ after the consecration from one vessel to another is completely to be avoided, lest anything should happen that would be to the detriment of so great a mystery. Never to be used for containing the Blood of the Lord are flagons, bowls, or other vessels that are not fully in accord with the established norms.

This is reinforced in the CCCB statement entitled:

Observations on Redemptionis Sacramentum found on the CCCB website quoted here:

5. Abuses indicated....

– The pouring of the Blood of Christ after the consecration from one vessel to another, which is completely to be avoided (n. 106);

I notice every Sunday at the Preparation of the Gifts, wine is poured from a glass/crystal lidded decanter into the Chalice and water is then added, but then some water is also poured into the decanter, and and the lid is then closed, but the decanter remains on the altar thoughout the Eucharistic Prayer, and although the chalice is elevated, there is no doubt that the wine and water in the decanter has also transubstantiated into the Precious Blood of Our Lord Jesus. Then at the Fractioning, during the Agnus Dei, the Lord's Blood is poured from the decanter into smaller chalices for distribution to the faithful. This pouring appears to be in direct contravention of the above statement fromt the Vatican. Further, when the vessels are cleaned, water is poured into one chalice then, from that chalice poured into the second,and so on, and finally when poured into the last chalice, the celebrant drinks the remaining Blood. This method of cleaning also appears to be in contravention of the Instruction from Rome.

In bringing this to your attention, I only wish to fulfill my obligation as stated in

Redemptionis Sacramentum

Chapter VIII REMEDIES
Par.6.

Complaints Regarding Abuses in Liturgical Matters
[183.] In an altogether particular manner, let everyone do all that is in their power to ensure that the Most Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist will be protected from any and every irreverence or distortion and that all abuses be thoroughly corrected. This is a most serious duty incumbent upon each and every one, and all are bound to carry it out without any favouritism.[184.] Any Catholic, whether Priest or Deacon or lay member of Christ’s faithful, has the right to lodge a complaint regarding a liturgical abuse to the diocesan Bishop or the competent Ordinary equivalent to him in law, or to the Apostolic See on account of the primacy of the Roman Pontiff.[290] It is fitting, however, insofar as possible, that the report or complaint be submitted first to the diocesan Bishop. This is naturally to be done in truth and charity.

I would care to add that I truly appreciate Communion under Both Species and personally desire that it should continue in a manner compliant with CONGREGATION FOR DIVINE WORSHIP AND THE DISCIPLINE OF THE SACRAMENT INSTRUCTION and Rome.
For easy access to both the document, and if you wish to view the documents in toto, I have included links: Click Vatican or CCCB for their respective documents.

I remain yours sincerely

a faithful parishioner

I was trying to be charitable and informative. I decided not to CC the archdiocese office of Spiritual Matters. I thought giving the pastor a chance to address my concerns would be better.