Why must every speck of wine spilled or bread crumb dropped during the mass be consumed immediately by the priest?
What's the fear here?
***Why must every speck of wine spilled or bread crumb dropped during the mass be consumed immediately by the priest?
What's the fear here?***
Don't want church mice to nibble on it and wind up in Heaven do ya?
Again, a trained liturgist might have a more comprehensive explanation, but, briefly, it is done so that the Precious Body or Blood is not stepped on or otherwise treated with disrespect. When there is no way to consume it, there are other ways to properly dispose of it.