An alter boy being an EMHC

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Catholicism1998

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I am Alter Boy , (I am 16 years old), at my local church and we have just had a change of priest in the last month. He is an older man who still struggles both with the new translation but also struggles to get up and down the alter steps. A couple times he has asked me to retrieve the consecrated celiac hosts from the Tabernacle and I have had to remind him that I can’t go into the tabernacle.

Can I become an EMHC so as to help the priest during mass but also to help cleanse the chalices after the dispensation of Holy Communion ?
 
You are an altar boy (spelling!). Speak to Father before or after Mass next time and ask him what you are permitted to do. He has the authority at your parish.

Even in you become an EMHC (which would be up to your pastor and your bishop), you still cannot purify the sacred vessels. You can certainly wash them as necessary (under direction from your priest) after he has purified them.

usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/the-mass/frequently-asked-questions/guidelines-for-altar-servers.cfm
 
You could become an EMHC, and help distribute. However, on a per diem basis, the priest could have you distribute with him as necessary without being an EMHC.
You could not, however, do the ablutions of the vessels. That is reserved to Ordinary ministers (deacons and priests) and to Instituted Acolytes.
 
Sorry, I meant to clean the chalices after mass. My mistake. I was also thinking it could let me retrieve the sacrament from the tabernacle as well.
 
Please ask Father your questions. Find out from him what help he needs and let him decide who is best to help him with those tasks. He will best be able to direct you as to what roles you can fill based on the guidelines of your bishop’s conference.
 
Catholicism1998 said:
I am Alter Boy , (I am 16 years old), at my local church and we have just had a change of priest in the last month. He is an older man who still struggles both with the new translation but also struggles to get up and down the alter steps. A couple times he has asked me to retrieve the consecrated celiac hosts from the Tabernacle and I have had to remind him that I can’t go into the tabernacle.

Can I become an EMHC so as to help the priest during mass but also to help cleanse the chalices after the dispensation of Holy Communion ?
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This needs to be discussed with your Pastor.
 
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