Houston Galveston Archbishop Cardinal Daniel DiNardo is asking all Catholic churches to suspend use of a common chalice when administering the Eucharist during Mass.
The Eucharist is a Christian ceremony during worship services that commemorates Jesus at the Last Supper. Bread and wine are consecrated and consumed, the wine often served in a large chalice from which all congregants take a sip.
As concerns about the spread of coronavirus expand, the Cardinal is requesting only the host, the bread or wafer element of Holy Communion, be given until further notice.
DiNardo is asking all priests to wash their hands prior to each Mass and use anti-bacterial hand sanitizer before communion.