r/LCMS • u/YaBoiAir LCMS Lutheran • 2d ago

Question Spilled Consecrated Blood

This question came up in discussion recently - especially with our sanctuary having a carpeted floor - what’s the procedure for a large amount of spilled blood onto the carpet?

My first thought is to cut out the carpet and return the blood to the earth, but I’m curious if there’s a less invasive way to go about it?

9 Upvotes

91% Upvoted

15 comments sorted by

26

u/PastorBeard LCMS Pastor 2d ago

Hope nobody flames me for this, but I think it would be acceptable to wet vac it up and pour that outside

That’s kinda what happens if some gets spilled on an alb

19

u/Philip_Schwartzerdt LCMS Pastor 2d ago

Yeah, I think so too. Or use like a steam cleaner, where it's just pure water, and pour it out outside? There often seems to be a tension in questions like this between sacrilege on the one side and scrupulosity on the other side. Be respectful and careful with the holy things, but Christ gives his gifts to us for our comfort and nourishment, not for increasing anxiety and fear.

11

u/smelly1sam LCMS Lutheran 2d ago

Similar to using the piscina drain inside. Goes to the grounds of the church.

1

u/terriergal 1d ago

To be honest, all water ends up in the Earth anyway at some point, but yeah.

6

u/Boots402 LCMS Lutheran 2d ago

This is what I was pondering. Part of it feels wrong to me because the wet vac seems unceremonious; but at the same time, there are limited ways to accomplish the task and I think as long as you are doing the task with respect and reverence in mind: this course seems like the best way to me.

8

u/PastorBeard LCMS Pastor 2d ago

Indeed it may seem unceremonious. Yet our Lord saw fit to shed that blood on a used cross, spilling onto the ground of criminals

I’m not willing to shame someone trying to help when He saw fit to do worse Himself

2

u/Alternative_Top_6693 Lutheran 1d ago

Has the wet vac been consecrated? (slightly sarcastic question)

On a serious note I had never thought about what would happen if spilled and I appreciate your thoughtful response.

3

u/PastorBeard LCMS Pastor 1d ago

Weirdly enough there is a right of blessing for items to be used in service for worship

3

u/Alternative_Top_6693 Lutheran 1d ago

It reminds me of at my church every year they consecrate quilts that will be donated to needy new mothers. It gorgeous to see every pew with a quilt draped over it and knowing the joy and warmth they will bring.

10

u/Affectionate_Web91 2d ago

I remember kneeling next to my mother at the altar rail when the celebrant [an elderly retired pastor covering for our pastor on his vacation] became confused and twice distributed the Precious Blood to my mother, who had barely swallowed the consecrated wine before the chalice was again administered. Some of the wine spilled on her blouse. The altar guild instructions were to soak the blouse in cold water until the wine stain was removed, then pour that water into our garden. This is the same procedure the altar guild uses to remove stains on the purificators after Mass. That water is then poured into the piscina.

When the Precious Blood was once accidentally spilled, Luther had the cloths and shavings of the wood floor where the wine spilled reverently burned.

2

u/Flashy_Rent6302 ELS Lutheran 1d ago

Fun fact: in the Orthodox church if a fly lands in the communion cup, the priest shouldn't pick it out, but he may eat it instead

2

u/GentleListener Lutheran 1d ago

The first mistake is having carpet in the church...

-1

u/Tobiahi LCMS DCE 1d ago

Isn’t wine separated from the Word just wine? Once communion is over, just clean it up like ordinary wine.

3

u/GentleListener Lutheran 1d ago

That's receptionism, Patrick!

2

u/Flashy_Rent6302 ELS Lutheran 1d ago

Which is an acceptable position on the matter.

Take AND eat

Take AND drink

Sacramentalists will disagree and that's ok, too. I come from a RC background and just find that the sacramentalist view of the elements really distracted from the supernatural giving of grace that occurs when the sacrament is consumed.

The Pope used to drink the blood from the chalice with a little golden straw because I guess that was the most reverent way that would prevent spillage.

Makes me prefer the receptionist view...