Can EMs really give out communion?

[benedictgal]

If the pastor and his bishop allow it, there is absolutely nothing wrong with standing in the communion line for a blessing. It’s not bad information. The problem is with the EMHC trying to offer a blessing. They can pray for the individual but not bless them.

Merkel, the bishop, let alone the priest, cannot overrule what the Congregation for Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments has already stated. Until such time that the Congregation issues its rulings, such things are not allowed.

1. The liturgical blessing of the Holy Mass is properly given to each and to all at the conclusion of the Mass, just a few moments subsequent to the distribution of Holy Communion.

1. Lay people, within the context of Holy Mass, are unable to confer blessings. These blessings, rather, are the competence of the priest (cf. Ecclesia de Mysterio, Notitiae 34 (15 Aug. 1997), art. 6, § 2; Canon 1169, § 2; and Roman Ritual De Benedictionibus (1985), n. 18).

1. Furthermore, the laying on of a hand or hands — which has its own sacramental significance, inappropriate here — by those distributing Holy Communion, in substitution for its reception, is to be explicitly discouraged.

1. The Apostolic Exhortation Familiaris Consortio n. 84, “forbids any pastor, for whatever reason to pretext even of a pastoral nature, to perform ceremonies of any kind for divorced people who remarry”. To be feared is that any form of blessing in substitution for communion would give the impression that the divorced and remarried have been returned, in some sense, to the status of Catholics in good standing.

1. In a similar way, for others who are not to be admitted to Holy Communion in accord with the norm of law, the Church’s discipline has already made clear that they should not approach Holy Communion nor receive a blessing. This would include non-Catholics and those envisaged in can. 915 (i.e., those under the penalty of excommunication or interdict, and others who obstinately persist in manifest grave sin).

This ruling appears in the latest edition of Notitiae, the official publication for the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments.

Something else to note about EMHCs is that our purpose is only for extraordinary purposes, which means that we should not be used unless there is a dire need.

According to 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 minister of Holy Communion, and not “special minister of Holy Communion” nor “extraordinary minister of the Eucharist” nor “special minister of the Eucharist”, by which names the meaning of this function is unnecessarily and improperly broadened.

[157.] If there is usually present a sufficient number of sacred ministers for the distribution of Holy Communion, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion may not be appointed. Indeed, in such circumstances, those who may have already been appointed to this ministry should not exercise it. The practice of those Priests is reprobated who, even though present at the celebration, abstain from distributing Communion and hand this function over to laypersons.258

[158.] Indeed, the extraordinary minister of Holy Communion may administer Communion only when the Priest and Deacon are lacking, when the Priest is prevented by weakness or advanced age or some other genuine reason, or when the number of faithful coming to Communion is so great that the very celebration of Mass would be unduly prolonged.259 This, however, is to be understood in such a way that a brief prolongation, considering the circumstances and culture of the place, is not at all a sufficient reason.

So, there are certain parameters that should be followed.

 

[Lux_et_Tenebrae]

rolls eyes
Read the link that buffalo posted… its very informative

Not sure what your eyes are rolling about – are you?

Whether or not EMHC may ask God to bless someone, the reference to benediction (blessing with the sacrament)is totally irrelevant to distribution of Holy Communion. (unless the EMHC were to bless with the Host, which I have never seen & hope I never will)

Lux

 

[Lux_et_Tenebrae]

I think that generally, EMs abuse their position (i have seen this MANY times). Growing up, and then in the church we go to today, the only person that hands out communion is the priest. only in the modern catholic churches do i see EMs as well (giving the Body of Christ). I believe that the Host should not be touched by any more hands than necissary (just the priest should touch it). Just my opinion.

EM’s ARE priests—We were instructed against using the wrong term, as well as the authenticity of EMHC, so you are in error on 2 counts.

Lux

 

[buffalo]

EM’s ARE priests—We were instructed against using the wrong term, as well as the authenticity of EMHC, so you are in error on 2 counts.

Lux

The Priest and Deacon are properly called Ordinary Ministers of Holy Communion.

 

[forever_always]

EM’s ARE priests—We were instructed against using the wrong term, as well as the authenticity of EMHC, so you are in error on 2 counts.

Lux

How are they priests? I don’t understand what you’re saying. They are lay people that hand out the Eucharist?

at our parish they are stilled called EM, which is why I have been saying that, sorry.

 

[forever_always]

Not sure what your eyes are rolling about – are you?

Whether or not EMHC may ask God to bless someone, the reference to benediction (blessing with the sacrament)is totally irrelevant to distribution of Holy Communion. (unless the EMHC were to bless with the Host, which I have never seen & hope I never will)

Lux

I rolled my eyes at the silliness. I am positive in my beliefs and know what i am talking about. so yes… rolling of the eyes.

My point, in all of this, is that I was raised that you recieve the Body of Christ from a priest, not a volunteer… or EM (or i guess the newer term is EMHC? this makes me feel old… there is a newer term and i’m only twenty!) My second point, was that I don’t feel it is right for an EMHC to bless someone, as if they were a priest?

 

[benedictgal]

How are they priests? I don’t understand what you’re saying. They are lay people that hand out the Eucharist?

at our parish they are stilled called EM, which is why I have been saying that, sorry.

EM in this case, would be Eucharistic Minister. Only the priest and the bishop are Eucharistic Ministers because they alone confect (cause to happen) the Holy Sacrifice, the Eucharist, if you will. Only they can consecrate the bread and wine so tht they become the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ.

The correct term for the laity who assist in the distribution of Holy Communion is Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion. The ordinary ministers of Holy Communion are the bishop, priest and deacon. Notice that the deacon is included because while he cannot confect the sacrament, by virtue of Holy Orders, he distributes Holy Communion (along with proclaiming the Gospel, preaching the homiliy, baptizing children and witnessing marriages).

 

[forever_always]

EM in this case, would be Eucharistic Minister. Only the priest and the bishop are Eucharistic Ministers because they alone confect (cause to happen) the Holy Sacrifice, the Eucharist, if you will. Only they can consecrate the bread and wine so tht they become the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ.

The correct term for the laity who assist in the distribution of Holy Communion is Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion. The ordinary ministers of Holy Communion are the bishop, priest and deacon. Notice that the deacon is included because while he cannot confect the sacrament, by virtue of Holy Orders, he distributes Holy Communion (along with proclaiming the Gospel, preaching the homiliy, baptizing children and witnessing marriages).

Thank you for clearing that up =] I’ll look into that… I’m sure the parish must not know that. As i said before, I help with scheduling and am the leader for lectors, so I know what training and such goes into all of that there. I think it is being abused there =\

 

[Lux_et_Tenebrae]

I rolled my eyes at the silliness. I am positive in my beliefs and know what i am talking about. so yes… rolling of the eyes.

My point, in all of this, is that I was raised that you recieve the Body of Christ from a priest, not a volunteer… or EM (or i guess the newer term is EMHC? this makes me feel old… there is a newer term and i’m only twenty!) My second point, was that I don’t feel it is right for an EMHC to bless someone, as if they were a priest?

You may be positively in error. EMHC are a fact, whether or not anyone likes them. Many hospital patients would not have Holy Communion if it were not for the EMHC who visit hospitals & nursing homes. …and those who scamper from line to line would have a much longer wait without them.

If an EMHC uses the form reserved for the ordained to request God’s blessing he/she is wrong, and should be corrected. As I said the jury is still out on the “may God bless you without making the sign of the cross over the person” situation.

Lux

 

[forever_always]

And knowing that now, I feel silly. So really, my entire post is about EMHCs, not EMs… Sorry for all of the confusion, i didn’t know! (Our schedule still lists the EMHCs as EMs!!!)

 

[benedictgal]

Thank you for clearing that up =] I’ll look into that… I’m sure the parish must not know that. As i said before, I help with scheduling and am the leader for lectors, so I know what training and such goes into all of that there. I think it is being abused there =\

The term was back in 1997 document, Ecclesiae de Mysterio. Here it is:

The Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion
The non-ordained faithful already collaborate with the sacred ministers in diverse pastoral situations since “This wonderful gift of the Eucharist, which is the greatest gift of all, demands that such an important mystery should be increasingly better known and its saving power more fully shared”.(95)

Such liturgical service is a response to the objective needs of the faithful especially those of the sick and to those liturgical assemblies in which there are particularly large numbers of the faithful who wish to receive Holy Communion.

1. The canonical discipline concerning extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion must be correctly applied so as to avoid generating confusion. The same discipline establishes that the ordinary minister of Holy Communion is the Bishop, the Priest and the the Deacon.(96) Extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion are those instituted as acolytes and the faithful so deputed in accordance with Canon 230, 3.(97)

A non-ordained member of the faithful, in cases of true necessity, may be deputed by the diocesan bishop, using the appropriate form of blessing for these situations, to act as an extraordinary minister to distribute Holy Communion outside of liturgical celebrations ad actum vel ad tempus (acting or temporarily appointed) or for a more stable period. In exceptional cases or in unforeseen circumstances, the priest presiding at the liturgy may authorize such ad actum.(98)

1. Extraordinary ministers may distribute Holy Communion at eucharistic celebrations only when there are no ordained ministers present or when those ordained ministers present at a liturgical celebration are truly unable to distribute Holy Communion.(99) They may also exercise this function at eucharistic celebrations where there are particularly large numbers of the faithful and which would be excessively prolonged because of an insufficient number of ordained ministers to distribute Holy Communion. (100)

This function is supplementary and extraordinary (101) and must be exercised in accordance with the norm of law. It is thus useful for the diocesan bishop to issue particular norms concerning extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion which, in complete harmony with the universal law of the Church, should regulate the exercise of this function in his diocese. Such norms should provide, amongst other things, for matters such as the instruction in eucharistic doctrine of those chosen to be extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, the meaning of the service they provide, the rubrics to be observed, the reverence to be shown for such an august Sacrament and instruction concerning the discipline on admission to Holy Communion.

This language is pretty much the same that was used seven years later in Redemptionis Sacramentum.

I hope this helps.

 

[forever_always]

You may be positively in error. EMHC are a fact, whether or not anyone likes them. Many hospital patients would not have Holy Communion if it were not for the EMHC who visit hospitals & nursing homes. …and those who scamper from line to line would have a much longer wait without them.

If an EMHC uses the form reserved for the ordained to request God’s blessing he/she is wrong, and should be corrected. As I said the jury is still out on the “may God bless you without making the sign of the cross over the person” situation.

Lux

Oh! I see nothing wrong with that! I support them in that way, I just don’t think it is right for a mass when there is a priest present and it is not a huge congregation. I do not “scamper from line to line” I try to sit towards the middle where I know the priest will be.

 

[forever_always]

The term was back in 1997 document, Ecclesiae de Mysterio. Here it is:

This language is pretty much the same that was used seven years later in Redemptionis Sacramentum.

I hope this helps.

Thank you for your help. It is much more appreciated than sarcasm

 

[benedictgal]

Thank you for your help. It is much more appreciated than sarcasm

You’re welcome. I guess the frustrating part is that there are documents out there for parishes to study and to use as guidelines. We just need to literally let our fingers do the walking and our eyes do the researching.

I am an EMHC. However, I am not at all in agreement with using us for daily Mass when the number of communicants is enough for the celebrant to handle solo. Of course, if the Precious Blood is offered, the celebrant cannot do two things at once. Then, having an EMHC assist him is justified.

I have said this in other threads, but, it bears repeating. We are only there to assist in the distribution of Holy Communion, not to impart blessings or say and do something other than what we are commissioned. The Holy See has effectively spoken on the matter and we need to obey Rome. That is the bottom line.

 

[forever_always]

You’re welcome. I guess the frustrating part is that there are documents out there for parishes to study and to use as guidelines. We just need to literally let our fingers do the walking and our eyes do the researching.

I am an EMHC. However, I am not at all in agreement with using us for daily Mass when the number of communicants is enough for the celebrant to handle solo. Of course, if the Precious Blood is offered, the celebrant cannot do two things at once. Then, having an EMHC assist him is justified.

I have said this in other threads, but, it bears repeating. We are only there to assist in the distribution of Holy Communion, not to impart blessings or say and do something other than what we are commissioned. The Holy See has effectively spoken on the matter and we need to obey Rome. That is the bottom line.

Yes it is frustating that apparently some churches don’t go over it… the schedule has said EMs ever since my dad recieved orders here (it is a military church). Just recently my finance and I have been going to mass off-base, and realized how different it is. I will bring the material you gave me and talk to the priest about changing the documents that are handed out at church. It isn’t any fun to be misinformed about something so important!

I agree with you that EMHCs are there to assist with the wine or in special circumstances. At the church we go to now, there are two EMHCs that help with the Blood of Christ, but the church on base has some for the Host as well, which i dont feel is necessary in a small church.

 

[Merkel]

I think that generally, EMs abuse their position (i have seen this MANY times). Growing up, and then in the church we go to today, the only person that hands out communion is the priest. only in the modern catholic churches do i see EMs as well (giving the Body of Christ). I believe that the Host should not be touched by any more hands than necissary (just the priest should touch it). Just my opinion.

I am asking you to think a bit deeper on this one. First I hope you realize that both species are indeed the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ no matter if you receive them from a cleric or a layperson. I hope you also realize that neither species is profaned if they are distributed by a commissioned or instituted layperson. If you believe otherwise then it’s contrary to what the Church teaches.

If you only receive from a cleric as a silent form of protest to perhaps having too many EMsHC in service that’s one thing. If you do because you believe the Blessed Sacrament is being profaned or is somehow lessened by receiving from a layperson then you have a grave problem.

 

[Merkel]

Yes it is frustating that apparently some churches don’t go over it… the schedule has said EMs ever since my dad recieved orders here (it is a military church). Just recently my finance and I have been going to mass off-base, and realized how different it is. I will bring the material you gave me and talk to the priest about changing the documents that are handed out at church. It isn’t any fun to be misinformed about something so important!

I agree with you that EMHCs are there to assist with the wine or in special circumstances. At the church we go to now, there are two EMHCs that help with the Blood of Christ, but the church on base has some for the Host as well, which i dont feel is necessary in a small church.

?

 

[forever_always]

?

I believe what you said “First I hope you realize that both species are indeed the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ no matter if you receive them from a cleric or a layperson.” to be true… but I also prefer to take it from the priest. As i said before, you are supposed to minimize the handling of the Body of Christ.

I don’t feel that I am protesting? Nor do I want to draw attention to myself. The parish on-base is very liberal, and I do not like how they handle things with the EMHC… I guess that sounds like a protest, but that is not intentional… I just prefer to take it from the priest.

I think that an EMHC is good for special cases (such as what was mentioned before about hospitals). I think that using them every sunday is in a way, an abuse if they are not needed.

And what was the “?” to?

I had a typo in there, i meant fiance, not finance

 

[tassitus]

[snip]

. . .According to Redemptionis Sacramentum:[158.] Indeed, the extraordinary minister of Holy Communion may administer Communion only when the Priest and Deacon are lacking, when the Priest is prevented by weakness or advanced age or some other genuine reason, or when the number of faithful coming to Communion is so great that the very celebration of Mass would be unduly prolonged.259 This, however, is to be understood in such a way that a brief prolongation, considering the circumstances and culture of the place, is not at all a sufficient reason.[/snip].

Thank you, benedictgal, for your excellent contributions - always appreciated.

Is it just me, or do any/all of you think EMHCs are generally overused, in that without them, at most, we might experience a “brief prolongation”? I suppose at three of our four Sunday masses EMHCs are properly used, but I know for a fact that at our Saturday morning mass we could do with only one (for the chalice) rather than the 6 or so who now so serve (Saturday morning mass attendance might peak at 40, at best).

When given a choice, a prefer attending mass at the local Dominican priory, where there is no such thing as an EMHC (that I’ve seen), and the communion rail cushions are nice and worn…

Peace all.

 

[japhy]

And what was the “?” to?

Merkel bolded the word “wine”. I’m sure you know this: after the consecration, it’s not wine. Perhaps it was just a slip of the fingers.