Charles Teves
A high school student from a private school caused controversy on social media after taking a sacred white wafer, known as an “ostiya” or host, home from Holy Mass.
He conducted a food review. The incident caught the attention of Facebook and Twitter users and the Ateneo de Manila University Senior High School Campus Ministry Office (ASHS-CMO).
According to reports, the student stole or smuggled the host during the Holy Eucharist celebration and then posted the review on Twitter. It is unclear how the student took the host during Holy Mass. Although the tweet gained attention, it was deleted.
The sacramental bread used in the Eucharist commonly called the white wafer, is given to attendees during Holy Communion and represents the Body of Christ. During the Holy Mass, the priest consecrates the bread and wine, referred to as “transubstantiation,” in which the bread and wine become Christ’s Body and Blood, respectively.
The ASHS-CMO has suspended Holy Mass activities on the senior high school campus in response to the viral review. The school ministry uploaded the announcement to their Facebook account, which has since been deleted.
In the memo, the school ministry referred to the student’s act as “sacrilegious.” The suspension of Holy Mass activities is intended for “reparation and atonement,” according to the memo addressed to the ASHS community.
“Sacrilege is a grave sin committed against sacred persons or things, particularly those consecrated to God. In the Catholic Church, it is an offense against the holiness of God and His Church. The Eucharist, the source and summit of our Catholic faith, is the most sacred and central act of worship for us,” the ministry said.
“Therefore, any act that shows disrespect, irreverence or contempt towards the Eucharist, or any other sacred object is considered sacrilegious,” it added.
Many social media users criticized the student for disrespecting a sacred item.
Umabot na talaga pati dito yung review. Disrespectful siya for me.Para saan ba for content ? https://t.co/UdcA1CLmrn
— ALTbatR0SE (@jaymazingwalk) March 24, 2023
An alumnus like @feignedflowers, either it's your parents' choice or your own choice themselves to study in a Catholic Institution. You're romanticizing shutting down a system YOU'RE ASSOCIATED OF. The faithful suffers from both of your shameful ignorance. https://t.co/XjgS5EkQ3w pic.twitter.com/8VQARa37D4
— JustineSofia (@Sofiuuuh_) March 23, 2023
https://twitter.com/Rated_JBR/status/1638854053747920896?s=20
you can't disrespect the holy eucharist.
— . (@jeeezzzzDs) March 19, 2023
https://twitter.com/itsmdnaga/status/1637676597229617152?s=20
you should be excuminicated, once malaman kung saang diocese ka most likely ipapa petition you to be labeled 'ex comunicado', desecration of the Holy Host is one of the greatest sin. Diocese ka pa ata ng Cubao.
— babymo (@yourbabycakesss) March 20, 2023
Please, huwag kayong edgy. Hindi kayo cool. Kabastusan ang ginawa ni @feignedflowers sa Diyos, at hindi malaking shutdown ang nangyari. Isang parokya/kapilya/simbahan lang ang nagsara, hindi ang buong Simbahan. https://t.co/xc26jc30IU
— Michael Earvin R. Sabado (@earvin55) March 23, 2023
The ASHS-CMO statement also indicated that the student will be given assistance and advice regarding the seriousness of the offense.
“We must approach this situation with compassion and understanding while holding him accountable for his actions,” the school ministry said.
The ASHS-CMO added that the Holy Mass events would not resume until the “Rite of Reparation for the Profanation of the Holy Eucharist” had been conducted.
