Scholion. On a Defect of Valid or Certainly Valid Matter Detected in Mass

I. If a priest in Mass notices that the host is corrupted or is not wheaten, let him proceed thus:

1. If he notices this before the consecration, then, that host having been removed, let him place another and, the oblation having been made, at least conceived mentally, continue from the place where he left off.

2. If he notices this after the consecration, even after the consumption of that host:

a) If before the consumption of the Blood, after another host has been placed and the oblation made, at least conceived mentally, let him consecrate it, beginning from the words: Who the day before He suffered; then let him consume it, even if he has already consumed the former host. If he has not consumed the former host, let him consume it after the consumption of the Blood, hand it to another to be consumed, or preserve it reverently somewhere.

b) If after the consumption of the Blood, new bread and wine with water must again be placed; and the oblation first having been made as above, he consecrates each, beginning from those words: Who the day before; and immediately consumes each, and continues the Mass.¹

¹ Cf. Aertnys-Damen, who set these things forth in order (vol. II, n. 114); Roman Missal, On Defects, title III, nn. 4-6.

II. If a priest in Mass notices that there is not wine in the chalice, but another matter or corrupted wine, let him proceed thus:

1. If he notices this before the consumption of the Body, then, the invalid matter having been placed in another vessel, let him again place wine with water in the chalice and, the oblation having been made, at least conceived mentally, consecrate beginning from the words: In like manner, etc., and continue where he left off.

2. If he notices this after the consumption of the Body or of that invalid matter,¹ it must be done thus:

a) If Mass is celebrated privately, that is, in a non-public place, let him place another host to be consecrated again, and wine with water in the chalice, let him offer each, and consecrate each, beginning from the words: Who the day before, and consume, although he is not fasting.

b) If Mass is celebrated in a public place, where several are present, to avoid scandal it suffices to place only wine with water and, the oblation having been made as above, to consecrate, immediately consume, and continue the rest.²

¹ If the priest detects the defect in the consumption of the chalice, he can swallow the draft which he has in his mouth (St. Alphonsus, VI, 288). If nevertheless he has done this, he cannot, for example on the feast of the Nativity of the Lord, celebrate other Masses.

² Roman Missal, On Defects, title IV, nn. 4 and 5. According to others, even in the case in which he celebrates privately, it is permitted to consecrate only wine, because there remains one sacrifice and the order of consecration is not inverted.

III. If the priest after the consecration notices that the matter is doubtfully valid, let him proceed in the same manner as was explained above. It is disputed, however, whether the other consecration must be done absolutely or under this condition: if the prior matter was not consecrated. Most favor conditional consecration, because otherwise, if perhaps the prior matter was consecrated, another consecration would not correspond to the new consecration (St. Alphonsus, VI, 206).

Matter doubtfully consecrated is to be consumed after the consumption of the Blood; if this cannot be done, it is to be treated as is explained in the Roman Missal.¹

IV. If the whole Blood is spilled, so that nothing remains, let the priest again place wine and water, offer, and consecrate from that place: In like manner, etc.²

¹ On Defects, title X, nn. 6 and 7.

² On Defects, title X, n. 13.