EMHC on altar when priest takes communion?

[turtleoompa]

I’ve noticed our 2 EMHC go up to altar with their 2 cups. They place the cups on the altar. Father takes the host and drinks the consecrated wine. The EMHC pours the consecrated wine into the 2 cups from the flagon. Father then offers the host and hands them the wine. They then proceed to distribute to the rest of the EMHC off the altar. Can the EMHC be on the altar when the priest ingests, the consecration has already occured. No need to talk about the consecrated wine being in the flagon, that’s another story.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

I’ve noticed our 2 EMHC go up to altar with their 2 cups. They place the cups on the altar. Father takes the host and drinks the consecrated wine. The EMHC pours the consecrated wine into the 2 cups from the flagon. Father then offers the host and hands them the wine. They then proceed to distribute to the rest of the EMHC off the altar. Can the EMHC be on the altar when the priest ingests, the consecration has already occured. No need to talk about the consecrated wine being in the flagon, that’s another story.

EMHC should not be in the Sanctuary until after the priest has received both the Body and Blood of Christ. Then they may enter the Sanctuary.

 

[palmas85]

EMHC should not be in the Sanctuary until after the priest has received both the Body and Blood of Christ. Then they may enter the Sanctuary.

Yes Brother they should indeed comply with the rules. However, I very seldom see them comply with that particular rule in their apparent mad rush to be the first to receive. Normally they receive before the Priest communes even though they wait until after he consumes before they do. At least that is what I have seen here in San Diego for the past 15 years or so.

 

[Titus]

Plus can we avoid the term consecrated wine- it’s not like it is a nun- it’s the Blood of Christ!

 

[emsvetich]

Bro. Rich,

Where can I find documentation that the EMHC should not be on the altar at this time. This occurs every Sunday and I would like to address it with our pastor. Thank you.

 

[stbruno]

According to the GIRM, all of the wine should be parcelled out into the common cups prior to consecration not after,by a priest or a deacon if one is present, not Extraordinary Eucharistic ministers…so the cups should be on the altar from the beginning of the liturgy of the Eucharist. The Blood of Christ should never be consecrated in the flagon…rather in the common cups.

nccbuscc.org/liturgy/girm/lit4.shtml

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Bro. Rich,

Where can I find documentation that the EMHC should not be on the altar at this time. This occurs every Sunday and I would like to address it with our pastor. Thank you.

You will find it in the GIRM. #162

 

[Rebecca_New]

Our Father is so exact when following the GRIM, and he stated at our last meeting the EMCH are not to be on the altar at that time, you are correct in wanting to correct the situation.

 

[decn2b]

The wine shoud be portioned out BEFORE consecration. NOT AFTER. Remeber it is the Gloried Jesus Christ right there in the cup. This is yet another reason to no longer offer the species under both kinds.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Our Father is so exact when following the GRIM, and he stated at our last meeting the EMCH are not to be on the altar at that time, you are correct in wanting to correct the situation.

Nothing wrong with quietly lining up at the floor level or outside the altar rail if you have one.

 

[John_Lilburne]

EMHC should not be in the Sanctuary until after the priest has received both the Body and Blood of Christ. Then they may enter the Sanctuary.

I disagree about a prohibition on entering the Sanctuary.

From the 2002 General Introduction to the Roman Missal (GIRM) which can be accessed from romanrite.com/girm.html :
“162. The priest may be assisted in the distribution of Communion by other priests who happen to be present. If such priests are not present and there is a very large number of communicants, the priest may call upon extraordinary ministers to assist him, e.g., duly instituted acolytes or even other faithful who have been deputed for this purpose. In case of necessity, the priest may depute suitable faithful for this single occasion. These ministers should not approach the altar before the priest has received Communion, and they are always to receive from the hands of the priest celebrant the vessel containing either species of the Most Holy Eucharist for distribution to the faithful.”

Clearly the instituted acolyte is going to be in the sanctuary. He will have been in the entrance procession, probably carrying the cross, and he will have been sitting in the sanctuary throughout Mass. So it is not a prohibition on being in the sanctuary.

Rather the instruction is “These ministers should not approach the altar before the priest has received Communion …”. So the point is that the priest receives Communion first. The lay ministers should not go to receive Communion until the priest has finished receiving Communion.

Remember that the justification for using Extraordinary Ministers is to avoid a situation where “the Mass or other service may be unreasonably protracted.” (Holy Communion and the Worship of the Eucharist Outside of Mass, published by E.J. Dwyer, Sydney, 1975, ISBN 0-85574-401-4, page 9, n. 17).

Say an Extraordinary Minister is sitting in the back row. It will take 50 seconds to walk from there to the altar. How is it helpful to require them to remain at their seat until after the priest has drunk the Blood of Christ. It wastes time, when the intention of using them is to save time.

So my understanding is that the intention of 2002 GIRM n. 162 is not to stop them entering the sanctuary or approaching it. Rather it is to make sure that the priest receives Communion first.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

I disagree about a prohibition on entering the Sanctuary.

From the 2002 General Introduction to the Roman Missal (GIRM) which can be accessed from romanrite.com/girm.html :
“162. The priest may be assisted in the distribution of Communion by other priests who happen to be present. If such priests are not present and there is a very large number of communicants, the priest may call upon extraordinary ministers to assist him, e.g., duly instituted acolytes or even other faithful who have been deputed for this purpose. In case of necessity, the priest may depute suitable faithful for this single occasion. These ministers should not approach the altar before the priest has received Communion, and they are always to receive from the hands of the priest celebrant the vessel containing either species of the Most Holy Eucharist for distribution to the faithful.”

Clearly the instituted acolyte is going to be in the sanctuary. He will have been in the entrance procession, probably carrying the cross, and he will have been sitting in the sanctuary throughout Mass. So it is not a prohibition on being in the sanctuary.

Rather the instruction is “These ministers should not approach the altar before the priest has received Communion …”. So the point is that the priest receives Communion first. The lay ministers should not go to receive Communion until the priest has finished receiving Communion.

Remember that the justification for using Extraordinary Ministers is to avoid a situation where “the Mass or other service may be unreasonably protracted.” (Holy Communion and the Worship of the Eucharist Outside of Mass, published by E.J. Dwyer, Sydney, 1975, ISBN 0-85574-401-4, page 9, n. 17).

Say an Extraordinary Minister is sitting in the back row. It will take 50 seconds to walk from there to the altar. How is it helpful to require them to remain at their seat until after the priest has drunk the Blood of Christ. It wastes time, when the intention of using them is to save time.

So my understanding is that the intention of 2002 GIRM n. 162 is not to stop them entering the sanctuary or approaching it. Rather it is to make sure that the priest receives Communion first.

“EMHC should not be in the Sanctuary until after the priest has received both the Body and Blood of Christ. Then they may enter the Sanctuary.”

In common usage EMHC means a LAY person who distributes Holy Communion. In VERY RARE instances in the U.S. it may be an Instituted Acolyte.

As I also said in a post they could position themselves at the foot of the sanctuary or outside of the altar rail. Yes this too might add 5 to 10 seconds of delay to the distribution of Holy Communion. I know to many every second counts when it comes to getting out of Mass.

 

[thistle]

In our church after our priest has received the body and blood of Christ only then does he beckon the EMHC’s to enter the Sanctuary.

 

[decn2b]

The EMHCs at my church stand at the foot of the altar off to the side and definately outside of the sanctuary. I believe in this is what should be done if EMHC absolutely have to be used. It is a very good display of reverence. Many have commented on it in a positive way when it was began at my parish.

 

[anamchara]

“EMHC should not be in the Sanctuary until after the priest has received both the Body and Blood of Christ. Then they may enter the Sanctuary.”

In common usage EMHC means a LAY person who distributes Holy Communion. In VERY RARE instances in the U.S. it may be an Instituted Acolyte.

As I also said in a post they could position themselves at the foot of the sanctuary or outside of the altar rail. Yes this too might add 5 to 10 seconds of delay to the distribution of Holy Communion. I know to many every second counts when it comes to getting out of Mass.

I have a question, has this always been the case? Or was it changed recently? Like within the last 5 years? I’m asking because I do remember when our priest switched and had the EMHCs come up after he took commuion. I even remember him making an annoucement about how it was going to change. And it came from the Bishop, perhaps the Bishop was just informing all the parishes they need to following the GIRM. It’s been a while and I was a recent convert so I don’t remember exactly what the priest said.

Anyway, I was curious.

 

[decn2b]

I have a question, has this always been the case? Or was it changed recently? Like within the last 5 years? I’m asking because I do remember when our priest switched and had the EMHCs come up after he took commuion. I even remember him making an annoucement about how it was going to change. And it came from the Bishop, perhaps the Bishop was just informing all the parishes they need to following the GIRM. It’s been a while and I was a recent convert so I don’t remember exactly what the priest said.

Anyway, I was curious.

The same thing happened at our parish within the last 5 years. I believe it was a USCCB action to get more adherence to the way things are supposed to be done. Our priest has EMHC training about every 3 years and this is where the change was “announced”.

 

[anamchara]

The same thing happened at our parish within the last 5 years. I believe it was a USCCB action to get more adherence to the way things are supposed to be done. Our priest has EMHC training about every 3 years and this is where the change was “announced”.

ahh ok, well this makes sense thing, thanks

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

I have a question, has this always been the case? Or was it changed recently? Like within the last 5 years? I’m asking because I do remember when our priest switched and had the EMHCs come up after he took commuion. I even remember him making an annoucement about how it was going to change. And it came from the Bishop, perhaps the Bishop was just informing all the parishes they need to following the GIRM. It’s been a while and I was a recent convert so I don’t remember exactly what the priest said.

Anyway, I was curious.

Yes the new GIRM is less than 5 years old. I believe 2002?

 

[anamchara]

Yes the new GIRM is less than 5 years old. I believe 2002?

Thanks Br. for getting back to me. I do remember this happening. But not in 02, I wasn’t even attending a Catholic Mass at this time. How long does it take for all parishes to make the changes?

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Thanks Br. for getting back to me. I do remember this happening. But not in 02, I wasn’t even attending a Catholic Mass at this time. How long does it take for all parishes to make the changes?

Wellll, We are still working on it here. Even though the Bishop sent a letter over a year ago to all pastors to get in compliance.