Bringing Communion to the sick

[Damascus]

La la la la la… Joysong are you talking? I cant hear you.

There are plenty of posters who have seen your tactics in regard to me, I dont know what your beef is with me, but no matter what you do, you wont get what you are looking for! I will pray and pour hot coals on your head by being nice no matter how you provoke me…

Lalalalalalal

I stand by my posts. Anyone can see what I wrote and what Joysong is trying to do here.

 

[Joysong]

Dear Water,

I used the word because it has a few meanings, namely:
3 : to inform against

I apologize if you took it to mean something more harsh. However, after having seen the well-informed post from Joe Kelley and my suggesting also that one obtain official certification from one in authority, it does suggest stubbornness in clinging to an alternate view. It seems to point to denouncing the practice. You are free to express your views, certainly, and to be against it for reasons of personal preference.

That said, it is not wise to imply that the Church forbids the practice. You cast a bad light on the priest as though people can just take the host at their will, without lawful permission. See your words below.

However, neither the bishop nor the priests can see everything at all times and the lay people sometime decide to do what they feel like, independently of their training.

 

[water]

Dear Water,

I used the word because it has a few meanings, namely:
3 : to inform against

I apologize if you took it to mean something more harsh. However, after having seen the well-informed post from Joe Kelley and my suggesting also that one obtain official certification from one in authority, it does suggest stubbornness in clinging to an alternate view. It seems to point to denouncing the practice. You are free to express your views, certainly, and to be against it for reasons of personal preference.

That said, it is not wise to imply that the Church forbids the practice. You cast a bad light on the priest as though people can just take the host at their will, without lawful permission. See your words below.

Thank you and you’ve made your point. However, I did not write the comment.

 

[Marian_Carroll]

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[Sir_Knight]

Normally, the persons who bring holy communion to the sick must be approved by the bishop. My pastor submits their names periodically when new ones are installed, and the others have to be re-certified every so often … 3 years?

I wasn’t approved by the bishop nor was I “certified” in any way. The priest merely said a long prayer in Latin with his hands outstretched over me and when he was done, he said “congratulations” and shoke my hand.

Does this mean that I might not have been properly installed?

 

[Cristiano]

I wasn’t approved by the bishop nor was I “certified” in any way. The priest merely said a long prayer in Latin with his hands outstretched over me and when he was done, he said “congratulations” and shoke my hand.

Does this mean that I might not have been properly installed?

I am sure that it varies from diocese to diocese. I was “commissioned” with a few other people by the pastor at the end of the Mass after we made a set of formal commitments in front of the congregation. I know that in Italy the requirements are much more stringent in terms of documented training. All my training and activities are already stored in the diocese database, so I assume that it suffices.

 

[FrCorey]

yep, i.e. A person who, in case of real necessity, is authorized to distribute holy communion on a single occasion, see instruction “Immensae caritatis I,” nn. 2, 6.

 

[CRW]

I have served in the past as an extraordinary minister for Communion, and so have my own pyx and know the procedures, etc. If I am sick is my husband allowed to take my pyx to church and bring back a Host for me?

In our Diocese it is EMHC; however, the priest can approve individual (s) as required or needed.

 

[BonnieBj]

I think we may have gotten onto some bunny trails here. Let’s get back to the original issue and get it settled.

In our parish we seem to have no training for EMHCs or any sort of certification. It seems like Father just says it’s OK for you to do it (and he knows me) and there you are. I was given a leaflet with the texts and was told to get a purificator and a pyx and how to get the host(s). I know I made a couple of mistakes but I didi my best to get as much info as possible and asked the Lord’s forgiveness for my goof (it wasn’t intentional or anything irreverent so no mortal sin). So I can teach my husband what he needs to know.

By the way our diocese of Birmingham, AL, has not had a Bishop now for almost 2 years. I don’t know what they’re waiting for. I understand we’re not the only ones in this situation.

 

[BonnieBj]

I was reading further on in the posts to this thread and came across the following: OP, Joe Kelley, Bishop Aymond. Could someone please explain who/what these are and sources for them. And can I have a sourcec for the Church rules on this and on the training procedures.

 

[Joysong]

You might have been wondering about my post where I spoke highly of Joe Kelley’s words. Joe is a CAF member, but also belongs to another forum [under another name]. Over the years, I have always found that whatever Joe shares in response to people’s questions is very informed, accurate, and completely trustworthy as being the Church’s official teaching. No, he’s not the pope, nor a bishop, but a Catholic whom I deeply respect. It was just my way of expressing appreciation.

You may remember, too, that I advised doubtful readers to check with their pastors who will give instruction regarding this practice. I believe Father Corey has already contributed a few posts ago.

There may be a slightly different procedure in each diocese, since the bishop is in authority, so I think the best thing is to do is contact local pastors regarding specific training and/or permissions.

 

[Joe_Kelley]

I was reading further on in the posts to this thread and came across the following: OP, Joe Kelley, Bishop Aymond. Could someone please explain who/what these are and sources for them. And can I have a sourcec for the Church rules on this and on the training procedures.

I don’t know about Bishop Aymond. I have been in charge of training EMHCs to the sick for several years for our parish as Director of Adult Education. This has been done is close coordination with the diocesan Office of Worship sho have always approved my actions.

 

[CRW]

I was reading further on in the posts to this thread and came across the following: OP, Joe Kelley, Bishop Aymond. Could someone please explain who/what these are and sources for them. And can I have a sourcec for the Church rules on this and on the training procedures.

Instruction on the Eucharist, Redemptionis Sacramentum number 133 and Roman Ritual, Holy Communion and Wordhip of the Eucharist Outside Mass, nos. 26-78 (link provided):

fargodiocese.org/EducationFormation/Evangelization/Eucharist/HolyCommunionAndEucharisticWorshipOutsideOfMass.pdf

 

[Cristiano]

I was reading further on in the posts to this thread and came across the following: OP, Joe Kelley, Bishop Aymond. Could someone please explain who/what these are and sources for them. And can I have a sourcec for the Church rules on this and on the training procedures.

Bishop Gregory Aymond is responsible for the Diocese of Austin, TX.

 

[CRW]

I have served in the past as an extraordinary minister for Communion, and so have my own pyx and know the procedures, etc. If I am sick is my husband allowed to take my pyx to church and bring back a Host for me?

Therefore, in order that the faithful who are in the state of grace and who with an upright and pious disposition wish to share in the Sacred Banquet may not be deprived of this sacramental help and consolation, it has seemed appropriate to the Holy Father to establish extraordinary ministers, who may give Holy Communion to themselves and to other faithful under the following determined conditions:
3. Local ordinaries have the faculty to permit a suitable person individually chosen as an extraordinary minister for a specific occasion or for a time or, in the case of necessity, in some permanent way, either to give the Eucharist to himself or to other faithful and to take it to the sick who are confined to their homes. This faculty may be used whenever:
a. there is no priest, deacon, or acolyte;
b. these are prevented from administering Holy Communion because of another pastoral ministry or because of ill health or advanced age;
c. the number of faithful requesting Holy Communion is such that the celebration of Mass or the distribution of the Eucharist outside of Mass would be unduly prolonged.
4. Local ordinaries also have the faculty to permit individual priests exercising their sacred office to appoint a suitable person who in cases of genuine necessity would distribute Holy Communion for a specific occasion. …Since these faculties are granted only for the spiritual good of the faithful and for cases of genuine necessity, priests are to remember that they are not thereby excused from the task of distributing the Eucharist to the faithful who legitimately request it, and especially from taking and giving it to the sick.

Source: Immensae caritatis

 

[Joysong]

Respectfully, CRW, the document source Immensae caritatis was dated 1973 and is not the latest thinking or guidelines made by the Church. Did you have a specific point in mind with regard to the last point #4 where it states that priests are to take communion to the sick?

Are you aware of the shortage of priests in our present society which has a tremendous number of elderly people who are confined to hospitals or nursing facilities? The Church has divine authority to make changes in accord with cultural need. I have the most heartfelt appreciation that these people are able to receive almost daily due to the charity of those who are willing to sacrifice personal time to bring communion to them. You may want to rethink in line with the Church of today. There just are not enough priests to do this on a regular basis.

 

[Walking_Home]

Respectfully, CRW, the document source Immensae caritatis was dated 1973 and is not the latest thinking or guidelines made by the Church. Did you have a specific point in mind with regard to the last point #4 where it states that priests are to take communion to the sick?

Are you aware of the shortage of priests in our present society that has a tremendous number of elderly people who are confined to hospitals or nursing facilities? The Church has divine authority to make changes in accord with cultural need. I have the most heartfelt appreciation that these people are able to receive almost daily due to the charity of those who are willing to sacrifice personal time to bring communion to them. You may want to rethink in line with the Church of today.

---

Can you please provide the documents with the latest thinking or guidelines of the Church.

 

[TimOliv]

It is important to note that EMHCs may be deputed out of necessity by the parish priest. Per Canon Law and the GIRM, there is NO formal installation for an EMHC, nor is there a “certification.”

Now, if your individual Bishop wants to approve EMHCs, that is his business. If your Parish Priest wishes to offer prayers and hold a small ceremony to install EMHCs that’s great. But these things are in NO way required to become an EMHC.

The title itself is somewhat misleading, as it is a description of duties more than an actual title. Acolytes, for example, are Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion.

The Ministry of the Instituted Acolyte and Lector

1. The acolyte is instituted to serve at the altar and to assist the priest and deacon. In particular, it is his responsibility to prepare the altar and the sacred vessels and, if it is necessary, as an extraordinary minister, to distribute the Eucharist to the faithful.84

And also

1. In the absence of an instituted acolyte, lay ministers may be deputed to serve at the altar and assist the priest and the deacon; they may carry the cross, the candles, the thurible, the bread, the wine, and the water, and they may also be deputed to distribute Holy Communion as extraordinary ministers.85

Both are from the GIRM. Lay Ministers who function as EMHCs are deputed NOT instituted.

The short answer is, if the parish priest permits the husband of an EMHC to take communion home, then its OK.

 

[CRW]

Respectfully, CRW, the document source Immensae caritatis was dated 1973 and is not the latest thinking or guidelines made by the Church. Did you have a specific point in mind with regard to the last point #4 where it states that priests are to take communion to the sick?

Are you aware of the shortage of priests in our present society which has a tremendous number of elderly people who are confined to hospitals or nursing facilities? The Church has divine authority to make changes in accord with cultural need. I have the most heartfelt appreciation that these people are able to receive almost daily due to the charity of those who are willing to sacrifice personal time to bring communion to them. You may want to rethink in line with the Church of today. There just are not enough priests to do this on a regular basis.

Yes I am aware of the date of the document, shortage of priest and the latest document concerning same, Instruction on the Eucharist, Redemptionis Sacramentum, number 133, which states in part: Furthermore the Rite for the administration of Communion to the sick, as prescribed in the Roman Rite, is always to be used.

I have no problems with EMHC as I am one. I posted the note to the original OP as a source reference only. I am one who truly appreciate the role that EMHC serve in providing the Blessed Sacrament to the sick and home bound. However, the there are rules on who and how this is accomplished.

To my knowledge, the latest procedural guidelines are contained in Roman Ritual, Holy Communion and Worship of the Eucharist Outside Mass. Link: fargodiocese.org/EducationFormation/Evangelization/Eucharist/HolyCommunionAndEucharisticWorshipOutsideOfMass.pdf

BTW, I do think my my “thinking” is in line with the teachings of the Church today.

 

[CRW]

It is important to note that EMHCs may be deputed out of necessity by the parish priest. Per Canon Law and the GIRM, there is NO formal installation for an EMHC, nor is there a “certification.”

Now, if your individual Bishop wants to approve EMHCs, that is his business. If your Parish Priest wishes to offer prayers and hold a small ceremony to install EMHCs that’s great. But these things are in NO way required to become an EMHC.

The title itself is somewhat misleading, as it is a description of duties more than an actual title. Acolytes, for example, are Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion.
And also
Both are from the GIRM. Lay Ministers who function as EMHCs are deputed NOT instituted.

The short answer is, if the parish priest permits the husband of an EMHC to take communion home, then its OK.

Instruction on the Eucharist, Redemptionis Sacramentum, paragraph 160 : Let the diocesan Bishop give renewed consideration to the practice in recent years regarding this matter, and if circumstances call for it, let him correct or define it more precisely. Where such extraordinary ministers are appointed in a widespread manner out of true necessity, the diocesan Bishop should issue special norms by which he determines the manner in which this function is to be carried out in accordance with the law, bearing in mind the tradition of the church.

So you see, the rules require the Bishop to determine local requirements. He may or may not elect to do as you stated above. If the Bishop approves, the priest may appoint.