Can just anyone take the Eucharist to the homebound?

[detach]

It is my understanding that in order to leave a church with the Eucharist in a pyx, one must be an extraordinary minister of holy Communion. I have a friend whose close relative is sick with cancer. The relative is currently at home and receiving hospice care. My friend (not an EMHC) brings the Eucharist back to her when she attends Mass. In conversation, she related how she had tried to encourage the sick person’s husband to administer the host to his wife, but he refused because he did not feel it would be right. Is she allowed to do this?

 

[Michelle_Arnold]

No. As you guessed, only a priest, deacon, or EMHC may take the Eucharist to the homebound. The homebound woman’s husband is also correct that he should not administer Communion to his wife unless he is an EMHC himself. Rather than take the Eucharist herself, your friend should advise the couple to call their parish and ask for an EMHC to bring the woman Communion. She could also volunteer to make the call for them, or she could ask her parish for training as an EMHC. I recommend informing the pastor of this parish that he needs to instruct his EMHCs not to give extra consecrated hosts to just anyone in the Communion line who holds up a pyx to be filled. Only a duly-designated EMHC should be given Communion for the homebound.