Dupras —
He did not give her part of his host dipped in "wine". He gave her part of his host dipped in the Precious Blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Blood which was shed for us on Calvary and brings us remission of sins. It's very important to recognize that as Catholics, we believe that the bread and the wine brought up to the altar during the liturgy are, by the words of consecration ("This is my Body", "This is my Blood") transformed, in a process we call Transubstantiation, into the actual Body and Blood of Christ, so that we may share in his saving Sacrifice he made on the Cross for us. It is not a mere symbol, and does not remain wine after the consecration.
This process of dipping the Host into the Precious Blood and administering it is call intinction, and it is a valid way of administering the Precious Blood and the Host. This is way it is done in the Eastern rites. (However, the communicant may not take the host, the minister has given him, and dip it themselves in the chalice; this is considered self-communication and is forbidden. The minister has to administer the intinction.)
As for why your priest gives it to his wife first, that's his choice and his business. There is no instruction from the Church on this, either to allow or forbid it. My recommendation would be not to let it bother you as it is a minor issue. If you find it really consumes you, close your eyes before he starts distributing Communion until after you know the congregation has started to go up.
Eric |