Intincting (A way of receiving Holy Communion)

Intincting is the custom of receiving communion in which the communicant takes his communion host bread and dips (intincts) the host into the chalice in order to receive the wine without drinking directly from the cup.

This practice has become more accepted over time due to perceived issue over cleanliness. For one reason or another people seem to think that directly drinking from a silver cup (which has anti-microbial properties) with wine (which has anti-bacterial properties) is less sanitary than dipping fingers with cuticles into the chalice. Fingers and hands are just as likely to carry contaminants as the mouth that cause illness.  Hence we are encouraged to frequently wash our hands.

Here I'm going to give you a procedural rubric (rule) on how to intinct.  I know that it would be an impossible task to try to put everything back into Pandora's box; so I'm not going to try to convince you that intinction does nothing more than make the recipient feel less mentally squeamish about sharing the cup of Christ with her brother in the Lord.

As Anglicans we acknowledge the very real presence of Christ in the Bread and Wine.

"He was the Word that spake it; He took the bread and brake it; And what that Word did make it, I do believe and take it" John Donne

 and again in the catechism of 1604

Ques. What is the outward part or sign of the Lord's Supper?

Ans. Bread and wine, which the Lord hath commanded to be received.

Ques. What is the inward part, or thing signified?

Ans. The body and blood of Christ, which are verily and indeed taken and received by the faithful in the Lord's Supper.

And of course Jesus is recorded in the scriptures to say, "This is my body..." and again, "This is my blood..."  So in any scenario the sacrament is to be held with reverence and appreciation for Christ's presence.

So regardless of where your piety leads you on this issue of intinction here are few thoughts and rubrics about intincting.

1. When the communicant intends to intinct the bread she should receive the host in the same manner as one who is to drink directly from the cup.  The palm is open and extended upward for the minister to place the bread in the palm.
2. When the chalice approaches, the communicant takes her host and dips the edge of the bread into the wine. (Never should a communicant's finger be submersed in the wine.)
3. Gently touch the interior wall of the chalice to remove any excess drip of wine.  Rotate the host so that any excess wine on the host may permeate through the bread.  (It is inappropriate to shake excess wine from the host.)
4. At the words "The Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ keep you in everlasting life," the communicate would affirm with a faithful response, commonly "Amen." (So be it.)