Communion Services

[MaryBV]

I am wondering what the Church teaching, if any, is on women doing a Communion Service. If there is, what document? Thank you!!

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

I am wondering what the Church teaching, if any, is on women doing a Communion Service. If there is, what document? Thank you!!

If a deacon is not available, a Religious male, Religious female, Instituted Acolyte, lay male EMHC, lay female EMHC.

 

[Jared123]

I wouldn’t encourage women to do communion services. It will only confuse Catholics into thinking if women can do this, why can’t they be priest.

 

[John_Lilburne]

I am wondering what the Church teaching, if any, is on women doing a Communion Service. If there is, what document? Thank you!!

A Communion Service can be done by an Ordrinary Minister of Holy Communion (a bishop, priest or deacon) or in their absence by an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion.

The order of preferance in choosing an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion in discussed in the 1973 Instruction Immensae caritatis.

First preference is an instituted acolyte. Only men can become this.

After this, an order of preference is given, but it has that it “may be changed at the prudent discretion of the local Ordinary”.

2nd preference: instituted lector (only men)
3rd preference: major seminarian
4th preference: man religious
5th preference: woman religious
6th preference: catechist
7th preference: one of the faithful, a man or a woman.

So, for example, a woman religious should be chosen ahead of male catechist to be an Extraordinary Minister and lead a Communion Service. On the other hand, the first four preferences are males.

The Instruction is at ewtn.com/library/CURIA/CDWIMCAR.HTM . Under the heading “Special Ministers of the Eucharist” it is at IV. It can also be found in Documents on the Liturgy 1963-1979, Liturgical Press, Minnesota, 1982, ISBN 0-8146-1281-4, page 651, n. 2078.

 

[palmas85]

I am wondering what the Church teaching, if any, is on women doing a Communion Service. If there is, what document? Thank you!!

I remember back in the 80’s my good friends the Sisters of the Most Precious Blood:bigyikes: would have them, but then again they also had Masses as well, handling the consecration themselves as well as all other sacraments that were needed. So perhaps they are not the best example available. They were a truly amazing group.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

If a deacon is not available, a Religious male, Religious female, Instituted Acolyte, lay male EMHC, lay female EMHC.

Ok, that’s what I get for not looking it up first.

Correction:

If a Deacon ( who is an Instituted Acolyte and Lector) is not available, an Instituted Acolyte, an Instituted Lector, a Major Seminarian, Religious male, Religious female, Catechist, lay male EMHC, lay female EMHC. in that order.

 

[KCT]

I don’t know the rules, but it is kind of weird having a woman do it.

I was once at a Communion service run by a woman. She sat in the presiders chair and gave a reflection after the gospel (which she read).

To my knowledge, it only happened that one time. I suspect the pastor got wind of it and put a stop to it. —KCT

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

I don’t know the rules, but it is kind of weird having a woman do it.

I was once at a Communion service run by a woman. She sat in the presiders chair and gave a reflection after the gospel (which she read).

To my knowledge, it only happened that one time. I suspect the pastor got wind of it and put a stop to it. —KCT

I have celebrated many Communion services because of the unavailability of a priest. I have never sat in the priests chair. I would always sit in the altar servers chair or seat next to the priests chair.

 

[KCT]

I have celebrated many Communion services because of the unavailability of a priest. I have never sat in the priests chair. I would always sit in the altar servers chair or seat next to the priests chair.

Which is where the deacons sat at past Communion services. Seeing a woman come out and sit in the priest’s chair was quite a shock. —KCT

 

[Joe_Kelley]

It is my understanding that the celebrant’s chair is reserved to one who has been ordained.

A deacon should use it when officiating in the absence of a priest - Communion services, Morning Prayer, etc. Note that a deacon has recieved ordination and the sacrament of Holy Orders.

An unordained person should never use that chair.

 

[LilyM]

I wouldn’t encourage women to do communion services. It will only confuse Catholics into thinking if women can do this, why can’t they be priest.

Heaven forbid that women shouldn’t pitch in where there’s an absence of priests or other ordained ministers, and enable greater access to the sacraments .

The unwanted side effect of some women taking too much control and too many liberties is probably the lesser evil in such situations.

 

[kleary]

I think they should abolish communion services outright.

Currently where I live there are two parishes that now have communion services two days per week. These parishes are within 10 miles of each other and both have one or two priests assigned to them.

Yet these two parishes are two of the most liberal ones- the first was using altar girls a year before they were allowed and the second one does not even have a Tabernacle because they “didn’t build the church yet” (however their “parish center” sure went up in a hurry and it has been over 4 years now since that building and very nice mansion looking rectory went up).

Anyway my family went to that parish one Sunday for Mass and we stormed out of there once we saw it.

Welcome to newchurch .

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

I think they should abolish communion services outright.

Currently where I live there are two parishes that now have communion services two days per week. These parishes are within 10 miles of each other and both have one or two priests assigned to them.

Yet these two parishes are two of the most liberal ones- the first was using altar girls a year before they were allowed and the second one does not even have a Tabernacle because they “didn’t build the church yet” (however their “parish center” sure went up in a hurry and it has been over 4 years now since that building and very nice mansion looking rectory went up).

Anyway my family went to that parish one Sunday for Mass and we stormed out of there once we saw it.

Welcome to newchurch .

Communion services are not necessary except on Sunday and if a priest is available he must celebrate Mass.