Acolyte?

[Phemie]

I thought that I read somewhere that this was the case, but it may just be the way things are done at our parish. I was told at one point that we generally don’t have any one person performing multiple duties, and that when Father has me do it, he is making a mistake. Then I noticed that the seminarians always do both.

It’s true that the GIRM says something about dividing tasks between ministers so usually you wouldn’t be an EMHC and also serve if there were any other EMHCs present.

That said, and even knowing what happens when you assume, I’m going to assume that the seminarians have already been instituted acolytes. That puts them in a different league and means they are first in line to be EMHCs at any Mass in which they participate, even if they are already serving at the altar during that Mass.

 

[Benedict_MAC]

Thank you all for your thoughts in this matter…While there is still much prayer to come, as well as probably quite a bit of time, I feel much more comfort about my situation.

 

[Mrs_Sally]

It’s true that the GIRM says something about dividing tasks between ministers so usually you wouldn’t be an EMHC and also serve if there were any other EMHCs present.

That said, and even knowing what happens when you assume, I’m going to assume that the seminarians have already been instituted acolytes. That puts them in a different league and means they are first in line to be EMHCs at any Mass in which they participate, even if they are already serving at the altar during that Mass.

This is usually the case. Seminarians who are assigned to work in a parish are counted as “clergy”, so they can both serve on the altar and distribute communion. Lay people should not have two roles in a single Mass, unless there is absolutely no one else which is rarely the case.

 

[Benedict_MAC]

This is usually the case. Seminarians who are assigned to work in a parish are counted as “clergy”, so they can both serve on the altar and distribute communion. Lay people should not have two roles in a single Mass, unless there is absolutely no one else which is rarely the case.

That makes sense, although I would not count the seminarians as “clergy” until they have been ordained. Also, these are not seminarians that are assigned to our parish…this is their home parish and they are home for Christmas and New Year’s. Still, I see that respect is given to them as though they were already members of the clergy, so it makes sense.

 

[TheMc]

This is usually the case. Seminarians who are assigned to work in a parish are counted as “clergy”, so they can both serve on the altar and distribute communion. Lay people should not have two roles in a single Mass, unless there is absolutely no one else which is rarely the case.

I think acolyte is probably a better word.

 

[Mrs_Sally]

I think acolyte is probably a better word.

Which is why I put clergy in quotes. In my parish, preference for EMHCs is given to priests, deacons, and those studying to be priests or deacons, wherever they are in formation. This is also the guidance given in the diocesean training for lay EMHCs.