EMHC on altar when priest takes communion?

[anamchara]

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.

Ok, well then this is why our Bishop must have put this in place back in 04, he wanted to be in compliance.

 

[lak611]

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.

In my parish, the EMHC’s sit in a front pew reserved for them. There is no delay that way. After Father takes the Body and Blood of Christ, then the EMHC’s enter the sanctuary and Father gives one of them the Host, then their Chalice. Then Father gives Hosts to the rest of them, the EMHC with the Chalice gives the Precious Blood to the EMHC’s who will be distributing Hosts. Father then gives the Chalices to those who will be distributing Precious Blood and ciboria to those distributing Hosts. Father leaves the altar first followed by the EMHC’s.

 

[decn2b]

In my parish, the EMHC’s sit in a front pew reserved for them. There is no delay that way. After Father takes the Body and Blood of Christ, then the EMHC’s enter the sanctuary and Father gives one of them the Host, then their Chalice. Then Father gives Hosts to the rest of them, the EMHC with the Chalice gives the Precious Blood to the EMHC’s who will be distributing Hosts. Father then gives the Chalices to those who will be distributing Precious Blood and ciboria to those distributing Hosts. Father leaves the altar first followed by the EMHC’s.

BIg Parish? IF so then according to Redemptionis Sacramentum #102 the Eucharist should only be offered under one species.

Cleveland, Huh? We just got a Guy named Martin Amos to be our new Bishop. As an ortthodox minded person I am curious as to what you know about him. PM me if you have any insight.

 

[turtleoompa]

We have 17 EMHC at each Mass. 5 Hosts and 12 Cups. Most of the time we are short people, which is ok. Our priest is really “into” both species, so I don’t think we will go back to no cups.

 

[lak611]

We have 17 EMHC at each Mass. 5 Hosts and 12 Cups. Most of the time we are short people, which is ok. Our priest is really “into” both species, so I don’t think we will go back to no cups.

So, you actually would have 6 people for Hosts counting the Priest? How big is the congregation at each Mass? Your parish must be huge!

 

[turtleoompa]

Also, everyone does line up near the credence table in front of the first pews at the end of the Our Father. But the 2 EMHC do go up to the altar when father is taking communion. Father gives them both species, then father walks down and gives us the Host. And we receive the Cup from the EMHC.

 

[lak611]

Also, everyone does line up near the credence table in front of the first pews at the end of the Our Father. But the 2 EMHC do go up to the altar when father is taking communion.

They should wait until after Father is finished.

 

[Corki]

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.

Same here. The diocese even sent reps out to meet with all of the pastors at their deanery meetings to make sure they understood. Our parish, however, still has the EMHCs come up and ring-around-the-altar right after the Our Father is completed. I know that they know that it is wrong because when the Bishop comes to do Confirmation, they do it correctly and line up at the foot of the steps until after the priest finishes his own reception of Communion.

 

[sinner]

“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.”
.

Brother Rich,
Where did this sentence come from? Is it your opinion or does it come from an authoritative source? Unless there is evidence to the contrary, I would have to concur that the EMHC’s may enter the sanctuary, but not approach the altar until after the priest has received communion. If this quote is from an authoritative source, I would stand humbly corrected.

 

[lak611]

Brother Rich,
Where did this sentence come from? Is it your opinion or does it come from an authoritative source? Unless there is evidence to the contrary, I would have to concur that the EMHC’s may enter the sanctuary, but not approach the altar until after the priest has received communion. If this quote is from an authoritative source, I would stand humbly corrected.

From the GIRM, “If extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion are required by patoral need, they should not approach the altar before the priest has received Communion. After the priest has concluded his own Communion, he distributes Communion to the extraordinary ministers, assisted by the deacon, and then hands the sacred vessels to them for distribution of Holy Communion to the people.” usccb.org/liturgy/girm/lit4.shtml

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Same here. The diocese even sent reps out to meet with all of the pastors at their deanery meetings to make sure they understood. Our parish, however, still has the EMHCs come up and ring-around-the-altar right after the Our Father is completed. I know that they know that it is wrong because when the Bishop comes to do Confirmation, they do it correctly and line up at the foot of the steps until after the priest finishes his own reception of Communion.

Iknow that the Bishop required all pastors, priests and deacons to come to separate meetings. However some priests and deacons “couldn’t make the meeting” for one reason or another. I have this feeling that it is not easy being a Bishop.

 

[turtleoompa]

Our church seats 1024. On Christmas and Easter people are in the back standing and we also have Masses in the hall at the same time which is also packed. On Sundays we have about 800 each Mass.

 

[sinner]

Lak611,
Thank you for your attempt at clarification;however, I was referring specifically to Bro. Rich’s statement in quotes that EMHC’s may not enter the sanctuary. Entering the sanctuary and approaching the altar are two entirely different things. My question, to recap, had to do with the authoritative nature of the statement itself, and hence my disagreement however putative with Bro. Rich’s statement.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Lak611,
Thank you for your attempt at clarification;however, I was referring specifically to Bro. Rich’s statement in quotes that EMHC’s may not enter the sanctuary. Entering the sanctuary and approaching the altar are two entirely different things. My question, to recap, had to do with the authoritative nature of the statement itself, and hence my disagreement however putative with Bro. Rich’s statement.

The way I look at this is that the GIRM says that no one is to be in the Sanctuary unless that have a specific liturgical role that requires them to be there.

The EMHC’s liturgical role is only the distribution of Holy Communion to the faithful. This only begins after the Fraction, after the Elevation, and after the priest has received both forms.

By the way we seat about 900 and usually have one priest and three EMHC or a Priest and Deacon and two EMHC, with 6 EMHC for the chalice. Holy Communion takes 10-15 +/- a few minutes.

We could probably do away with 2 EMHC with chalices and not impact the distribution of Holy Communion all that much.

 

[maherite1977]

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.

At our Parish, we ring the consecration bells one last time when the Priest consumes the Precious Blood. At that time, our EMHC leave the pews, receive communion and distribute it to the Parish community. The bells give the EMHC an exact time when they are allowed to enter the sanctuary without any confusion.

 

[CRW]

“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.

Thank you Br. Rich for hitting the nail on the head.