Why is the Chalice Not Regularly Distributed at Mass? (Special Podcast Highlight)

Many Catholics have wondered why, at most Masses, the congregation receives only the consecrated Host, and not from the chalice. In this episode of The Patrick Madrid Show, Patrick unpacks the theology behind this practice and clears up one of the most common misconceptions about Holy Communion.

He explains that during the Last Supper, Jesus shared both His Body and Blood with the Apostles because He was ordaining them as the first priests of the New Covenant – not setting a universal rule for laypeople. At Mass today, when the faithful receive the Eucharist under either form – the Host or the Precious Blood – they receive the whole Christ: Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity. Nothing is missing.

Patrick also shares that receiving under both kinds is a more recent development in Church history, only becoming common after the 1960s. Before that, laypeople traditionally received only the Host to prevent confusion and to safeguard belief in the Real Presence. Whether a parish offers both forms or just the Host, the grace received is the same.