Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith

Declaration Cum de fragmentis
On Particles of the Consecrated Hosts*

Regarding hosts left over after communion, several queries have been directed to the Apostolic See. Therefore this Congregation, after consultation with the Congregations for the Discipline of the Sacraments and for Divine Worship, has decided on the following response.

Regarding hosts left over after communion, several queries have been directed to the Apostolic See. Therefore this Congregation, after consultation with the Congregations for the Discipline of the Sacraments and for Divine Worship, has decided on the following response.

After communion, the left-over hosts, as well as any particles that may have fallen from them and that still have the form of bread, are to be reserved or consumed with the reverence due to the eucharistic presence of Christ. Further, with regard to any other eucharistic fragments, the prescriptions on purifying the chalice and paten are to be observed as they are given in the General Instruction of the Roman Missal nos. 120, 138, 237-239 and in the Order of Mass with a congregation no. 138 and without a congregation no. 31. Hosts not consumed at once are to be carried by an authorized minister to the place where the blessed sacrament is reserved (see General Instruction of the Roman Missal no. 276).

* May 2, 1972.