Question 127 – Why do the lay faithful only receive Holy Communion under the species of the Bread and not the wine in the Roman Rite?

Transcript:

There is a historical reason and a practical reason. For millennia, the Latin rite has used small hosts compared to the bread form used in the Oriental rite. It was difficult to let everyone drink directly from the chalice, and it was dangerous because there may be drops of the Holy Blood and these cases have occurred. 

Therefore, the Latin Church, at least for 1000 years, has given communion only in the species of bread. The priest receives both species as a way of representing all the faithful because he represents Christ in the Holy Mass, so it is sufficient when the priest visibly receives the species from the Chalice, the blood of Christ. It is also sufficient when the faithful receive the species of the bread because it already contains the entirety of Christ including his blood (contained in the host), just as the church teachers. We receive Christ entirely, the faithful are not deprived when they only receive one species, they still receive all the graces from the Sacrament of Holy Communion just as those who receive the two species. 

Some people are not able to receive both species such as the sick, the dying, and the imprisoned yet they truly receive all the graces necessary that Christ has given them in the Holy Communion. Of course, the condition is that they are morally disposed and are prepared. 

They also can distribute by intention but they have to be careful so as not to drop anything. But drinking directly from the Chalice is dangerous, even the Oriental rite does not do this. The Roman Rite has its tradition, is valid, and contains the same graces. 

It is a question of practice and it also gives more guarantee that nothing drops from the chalice with utmost reverence; we need this guarantee. The Latin Rite could implement other means where it can be given but it depends on the situation of when and how it is given.