Becoming a Eucharistic Minister?

[twosweetgirls]

There’s a Mass that’s held Sunday evenings at our Campus Religious Center. It’s very relaxed, draws a very diverse crowd, and I try to never miss it.

At the end of the last few Masses, Sister stood up and asked for volunteers to help with the Eucharist, and if anyone felt called to do so, to please see her or Father for more information. She has stressed the need for Eucharistic Ministers at this particular Mass on several occasions.

I would feel tremendously honored to bear the Body and Blood of my Jesus. In fact, I would almost feel the need to do so on my knees, how great would be the honor and how dumb and lowly I am in relation to our Saviour Jesus!

However, I’ve read on various posts and threads here about how people seem to have a love/hate feeling in regards to the EMs they’ve encountered. Would you suggest I become an EM? Why or why not?

Any and all opinions and advice are very welcome!

 

[water]

Today’s Gospel, Jesus said about He was here to serve, and He is the example for us - we are to serve. Despite of what others say, you offer your service to God, and allow Him to lead you where He wants you to serve.

At my parish, we will have a training coming this June, I would go too. Because I tend to have allergy very often, I would ask them if I could serve to the elders at nursing home instead. We have a great nusring home ministry where we go room by room to bring the Communion to the elders. You might want to check that out at your parish.

 

[JimR-OCDS]

There’s a Mass that’s held Sunday evenings at our Campus Religious Center. It’s very relaxed, draws a very diverse crowd, and I try to never miss it.

At the end of the last few Masses, Sister stood up and asked for volunteers to help with the Eucharist, and if anyone felt called to do so, to please see her or Father for more information. She has stressed the need for Eucharistic Ministers at this particular Mass on several occasions.

I would feel tremendously honored to bear the Body and Blood of my Jesus. In fact, I would almost feel the need to do so on my knees, how great would be the honor and how dumb and lowly I am in relation to our Saviour Jesus!

However, I’ve read on various posts and threads here about how people seem to have a love/hate feeling in regards to the EMs they’ve encountered. Would you suggest I become an EM? Why or why not?

Any and all opinions and advice are very welcome!

First off, take what people in these forums say with a grain of salt.

Next, pray about it and if you feel the call, by all means, do it.

God Bless
Jim

 

[Bennie_P]

However, I’ve read on various posts and threads here about how people seem to have a love/hate feeling in regards to the EMs they’ve encountered. Would you suggest I become an EM? Why or why not?

Any and all opinions and advice are very welcome!

Though I feel the use of EMs is abused and/or over used, I’m an EM and love the honor to be called to be one. Each time I present the Body/Blood of Christ to another, I can feel the power of God flow through me from the host/cup.

 

[Mangy_Donkey]

Would I be wrong in saying that the only Eucharist ministers are Priests or deacons and that during extraordinary circumstances assistance from the laity is required and that they are to be referred to as extraordinary Eucharist Ministers ? I asked a Priest this one time and he told me I was wrong, I am looking for clarity and not a debate.

 

[JimR-OCDS]

Would I be wrong in saying that the only Eucharist ministers are Priests or deacons and that during extraordinary circumstances assistance from the laity is required and that they are to be referred to as extraordinary Eucharist Ministers ? I asked a Priest this one time and he told me I was wrong, I am looking for clarity and not a debate.

Extraordinary Eucharistic Minister is the technical title, but Eucharistic Minister is the common title used.

It is generally the case that if a deacon or priest is not available to help distribute communion, a lay person who has been instructed and commissioned, can be asked and is allowed to serve.

Jim

 

[Lance]

Would I be wrong in saying that the only Eucharist ministers are Priests or deacons and that during extraordinary circumstances assistance from the laity is required and that they are to be referred to as extraordinary Eucharist Ministers ? I asked a Priest this one time and he told me I was wrong, I am looking for clarity and not a debate.

We have a large parish, 3200 families with 2 priests and 1 deacon. We have 1 mass on Saturday and 4 on Sunday with between 400 and 900 people attending each one. We have EM’s at almost every mass. It would take too long to serve the Euchrist if only the priest and deacon did it. If you feel the call, as I did, then by all means answer it.

 

[Bennie_P]

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion at Mass

This link From USCCB Committee on the Liturgy gives clarification the use of EMs. As Jim noted it is common to call EMs Eucharistic Ministers though tecnically they are Extraordinary Ministers, but many of us get caught up in legalistic language.

It is a great privilage to be asked to do this ministry, if asked, pray about, talk to the priest, then if you still feel called, do it, you won’t regret it.

 

[lorathon]

I am a EMHC at my parish and I love it.

I was an EMHC when I was 18 which is almost 20 years ago at the parish I grew up in. I also servered as a EMHC while in the Marine Corps. The real reason that I became one again at my new parish was the lack of reverence that I saw from the current EMHC’s. I decided to work from the inside and I think it has helped. They would dress very casually and once I started showing up in slacks, shirt and tie soon I noticed others doing the same. I have always thought that leading by example was the key. Unfortunatly I am in a little battle trying to get the parish to change the pouring of the Precious Blood after consecration right now. (See my other Posts for more info). But as they say baby steps.

I think that it is a wonderful calling to be able to help the parish and the priest out. All of our priests are 65+ years old. And they need some help. I wish there were more priests so that it wasn’t necessary. Hopefully with prayer more young men will follow their calling to Holy Orders.

 

[Andruschak]

However, I’ve read on various posts and threads here about how people seem to have a love/hate feeling in regards to the EMs they’ve encountered. Would you suggest I become an EM? Why or why not?

Any and all opinions and advice are very welcome!

Strange, the only contact I have had with EMs is when they say “the body of Christ”, I reply “Amen” , and the host is laid on my tongue. Not much to form an opinion, other then that that seem very spiritual in their mission, and take it very seriously. They are good examples. If any of the local Churches announce a need for more EMs, and offer a teaching course, I will think very seriously about saying “yes”.

So in your case, my advice…:twocents: …would be to consider it carefully, and go for it if you feel the call.

 

[Titus]

I personally could never do it…I am not worthy…but I do see that if there is a genuine need you ought to do it and do it reverently. But first ask why there is a need. Is it necessary? Because if not that is an act of disobedience.

 

[water]

I personally could never do it…I am not worthy…but I do see that if there is a genuine need you ought to do it and do it reverently. But first ask why there is a need. Is it necessary? Because if not that is an act of disobedience.

Yes, there is always a need at any parish. For being worthy or not - if you can receive the Eucharist, why can’t you deliver it? I understood what you meant though b/c I said to myself the same thing.

Besides, this is what the OP said

At the end of the last few Masses, Sister stood up and asked for volunteers to help with the Eucharist, and if anyone felt called to do so, to please see her or Father for more information. She has stressed the need for Eucharistic Ministers at this particular Mass on several occasions.

 

[E.E.N.S]

Extraordinary Eucharistic Minister is the technical title, but Eucharistic Minister is the common title used.

It is generally the case that if a deacon or priest is not available to help distribute communion, a lay person who has been instructed and commissioned, can be asked and is allowed to serve.

Jim

Let me clarify a bit:

Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion is the technical term, and Eucharistic Minister is the common (albeit inappropriate) term used these days, although it is the appropriate title for a person who is ordained.

Quite often there are FAR too many EMHC’s being used than what is “necessary”.

 

[E.E.N.S]

Yes, there is always a need at any parish. For being worthy or not - if you can receive the Eucharist, why can’t you deliver it? I understood what you meant though b/c I said to myself the same thing.

Besides, this is what the OP said

Not true. I have been to parishes where there is NEVER Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion used because there is no absolute need. And I have also been to parishes where there are rediculous amounts of EMHC’s, when in all reality they could go without using any at all.

The “E” in EMHC stands for EXTRAORDINARY for a reason, that being that they should only be used if absolutely necessary.

 

[twosweetgirls]

I have been to parishes where there is NEVER Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion used because there is no absolute need.

So then, if there’s only one priest, how does he serve the Body and Blood? By first offering the Body, then putting down the paten with the Hosts and then picking up the chalice with the Blood and serving it like that? Or, in this instance, is just the Host served?

 

[tamie]

I think you should do it! I am an Eucharistic Minister at my church and I always feel so honored and happy when I serve. That feeling stays with me all day! I also feel that it strengthens my faith every time I serve.

 

[lak611]

I became an EMHC because my pastor asked me. The training was excellent, and my parish follows the rules, for instance we do not do the purification. I have also served at two funerals (my uncle’s and my father’s). I have not gone to the homebound since my parish has enough EMHC’s to do this, and my pastor has not asked me yet. I would be honoured to do this if my pastor were to ask.

 

[Aramis]

So then, if there’s only one priest, how does he serve the Body and Blood? By first offering the Body, then putting down the paten with the Hosts and then picking up the chalice with the Blood and serving it like that? Or, in this instance, is just the Host served?

By intinction…

I’ve not seen intiction in YEARS (probably 20), but the ciboria that the Dominican Friars used at Holy Family had handles for two fingers; they put these on the left hand, and in that hand held the chalice. With the right hand, they picked up the Body of Christ, dipped it into the Blood of Christ, and placed it upon the tongue of the communicant.

Note that the instructions on the Eucharist prohibit intinction by EMHC’s

TSW, if you feel that there is need, feel free to volunteer. If you have doubts, ask the pastor about them.

I am an EMHC, and while the parish I’m at uses an 11 place plan for communion, and thus I’m called upon every 2-4 weeks, it is a powerful reminder of just how much participation in the Eucharist means to the rest of the parish. Every time I am reminded of just how powerful the sacraments are.

Now, mind you, we have a deacon at at least half the masses. So typically, 9 or 10 EMHC’s are being used. But we also have seating for more than 850… and sunday masses are often close to full. The Archbishop has approved the plan, and the number of EMHC’s in use. If guest priests concelebrate, one of the two deacons is scheduled and the other is preaching, or our retired abbot in residence concelebrates, EMHC’s DO get crossed off the sign-in.

At the last hierarchical liturgy, no EMHC’s were used. Plenty of priests. And both deacons!

 

[LindaS]

So then, if there’s only one priest, how does he serve the Body and Blood? By first offering the Body, then putting down the paten with the Hosts and then picking up the chalice with the Blood and serving it like that? Or, in this instance, is just the Host served?

By intinction. A special vessel is used that is a bowl with a small cup in the center for the Precious Blood. The priest dips the Host into the cup, then places it on the tongue of the person. Not used very often, I think.

Peace,
Linda

 

[THurifer2]

Extraordinary Eucharistic Minister is the technical title, but Eucharistic Minister is the common title used.

Jim

Jim,

Rome disagrees with you, in fact calling the laity by your assumed “common title” is incorrect. The Congregation of divine worship observes the matter so seriously that they have actually officially addressed it. Below is from Redemptionis Sacramentum

#156 This function is to be understood strictly according to the name by which it is known, that is to say, that of extraordinary mininister of holy communion, and not “special minister of Holy Commmunion,” nor " extraordinary minister of the Eucharist," nor “special minister of the Eucharist,” by which names the meaning of theis fucntion is unnecessarily and improperly broadened.