EMHC Questions

[lorathon]

I am an EMHC and have a few questions about the Eucharist. I am here to learn so if I make mistakes with my wording, please don’t beat me up.

1. When should the Precious Blood be poured from the pitcher into the chalices for distribution? Prior to the consecration? Or after consecration? Right now one of the EMHC will pour it into the chalices immediately after the “Our Father”.
2. Should EMHC purify the chalices and communion dishes? In our parish all purifying is done by the EMHC’s. I believe that I read somewhere this was not allowed.
3. What is appropriate dress for EMHC’s? At the mass that I regularly serve at a gentleman will almost always serve in shorts and tennis shoes. This bothers me to no end. I regularly wear a long sleeve shirt, slacks and a tie. I can imagine how the altar looks with the both of us up there. The reason for the question is that our Pastor has never said a word to him about his dress.

I would greatly appreciate sources from the Church to resolve these issues. As any errors I would like to resolve with our EMHC coordinator or the Pastor.

 

[bilop]

I am an EMHC and have a few questions about the Eucharist. I am here to learn so if I make mistakes with my wording, please don’t beat me up.

1. When should the Precious Blood be poured from the pitcher into the chalices for distribution? Prior to the consecration? Or after consecration? Right now one of the EMHC will pour it into the chalices immediately after the “Our Father”.
2. Should EMHC purify the chalices and communion dishes? In our parish all purifying is done by the EMHC’s. I believe that I read somewhere this was not allowed.
3. What is appropriate dress for EMHC’s? At the mass that I regularly serve at a gentleman will almost always serve in shorts and tennis shoes. This bothers me to no end. I regularly wear a long sleeve shirt, slacks and a tie. I can imagine how the altar looks with the both of us up there. The reason for the question is that our Pastor has never said a word to him about his dress.

I would greatly appreciate sources from the Church to resolve these issues. As any errors I would like to resolve with our EMHC coordinator or the Pastor.

From what I have read, and heard from priests (sorry don’t remember sources), the precious blood should NEVER be poured. The wine should be placed in the seperate chalices prior to consecration. Then, after communion, any remaining precious blood should be consumed from the chalices by the EMHCs while facing the altar.

Hope this helps. You could also consult the GIRM.

 

[THurifer2]

I am an EMHC and have a few questions about the Eucharist. I am here to learn so if I make mistakes with my wording, please don’t beat me up. .

I am here to learn too you have chosen a good place to learn!

1. When should the Precious Blood be poured from the pitcher into the chalices for distribution? Prior to the consecration? Or after consecration? Right now one of the EMHC will pour it into the chalices immediately after the “Our Father”…

The precious blood should not be poured so before consecration.

1. Should EMHC purify the chalices and communion dishes? In our parish all purifying is done by the EMHC’s. I believe that I read somewhere this was not allowed…

NO only a priest, deacon or instituted acolyte can purify

1. What is appropriate dress for EMHC’s?

No rules but you must at least dress with respect…A shirt and tie would be nice

 

[Penitant]

1. Should EMHC purify the chalices and communion dishes? In our parish all purifying is done by the EMHC’s. I believe that I read somewhere this was not allowed.

This is not allowed. At one point, the US had an indult allowing this, but the Papa Bene did not (thankfully) renew it.

This is actually the reason I stopped being an EMHC. I simply told them that I am bound by Canon Law, and thus cannot perform this duty. Also, at our parish, the EMHCs and Alter Servers gather around the back of the alter just before the Our Father, although the EMHCs are not to approach the alter yet. Then, to put the another nail in the coffin, the priest hands out communion to the Alter Servers and EMHCs before he himself has received.

The abuses really make me sad sometimes.

Pax Tecum,
Penitant

 

[lorathon]

Thank you for your answers so far. The problem I have is I would like documentation of these items.

Then, to put the another nail in the coffin, the priest hands out communion to the Alter Servers and EMHCs before he himself has received.

The same happens at my parish.

I would rather change the way the parish is going then to resign. So if I could get references I believe I can make a stand against these items.

 

[az_4_faith]

Please read Redemptoris Sacramentum. You’ll find your answers therein:

ewtn.com/library/CURIA/CDWRDSAC.HTM

Some pastors really have no idea how their actions or lack thereof impact their congregation.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

I am an EMHC and have a few questions about the Eucharist. I am here to learn so if I make mistakes with my wording, please don’t beat me up.

1. When should the Precious Blood be poured from the pitcher into the chalices for distribution? Prior to the consecration? Or after consecration? Right now one of the EMHC will pour it into the chalices immediately after the “Our Father”.
2. Should EMHC purify the chalices and communion dishes? In our parish all purifying is done by the EMHC’s. I believe that I read somewhere this was not allowed.
3. What is appropriate dress for EMHC’s? At the mass that I regularly serve at a gentleman will almost always serve in shorts and tennis shoes. This bothers me to no end. I regularly wear a long sleeve shirt, slacks and a tie. I can imagine how the altar looks with the both of us up there. The reason for the question is that our Pastor has never said a word to him about his dress.

I would greatly appreciate sources from the Church to resolve these issues. As any errors I would like to resolve with our EMHC coordinator or the Pastor.

The wine must be poured into the necessary chalices BEFORE the Consecration.

The EMHC may consume the remaining Blood of Christ from their own chalices after Holy Communion and return the empty chalice to the altar. Where the priest or deacon must purify them (ciboriums and chalices) or they may do this at the table. The second purification may be done by EMHC after Mass. Ciboriums are purified by pouring water into them, then pouring that water into a chalice and that water is then consummed from the chalice. You should never drink from a ciborium.

 

[John_Lilburne]

Documentation for 1 is the 2004 Instruction Redemptionis Sacramentum: “[106.] However, the pouring of the Blood of Christ after the consecration from one vessel to another is completely to be avoided, lest anything should happen that would be to the detriment of so great a mystery. Never to be used for containing the Blood of the Lord are flagons, bowls, or other vessels that are not fully in accord with the established norms.”
Before the consecration it is simply wine, it is not called the “Blood fo Christ” or “Precious Blood”. At the beginning of Mass the wine should be in a cruet, and while wine, poured into the chalice. Documentation on this is From the 2002 General Introduction to the Roman Missal (GIRM) approved for the USA, which can be accessed from romanrite.com/girm.html :
“142. After this, as the minister presents the cruets, the priest stands at the side of the altar and pours wine and a little water into the chalice, saying quietly, Per huius aquae (By the mystery of this water). He returns to the middle of the altar, takes the chalice with both hands, raises it a little, and says quietly, Benedictus es, Domine (Blessed are you, Lord). Then he places the chalice on the corporal and covers it with a pall, as appropriate.”
If there is a deacon, it is his duty, from the 2002 GIRM “178. … He also assists the priest in receiving the people’s gifts. Next, he hands the priest the paten with the bread to be consecrated, pours wine and a little water into the chalice, saying quietly, Per huius aquae (By the mystery of this water), and after this presents the chalice to the priest. He may also carry out the preparation of the chalice at the credence table.”

The documentation on purifications is also from the 2002 GIRM:
“279. The sacred vessels are purified by the priest, the deacon, or an instituted acolyte after Communion or after Mass, insofar as possible at the credence table. The purification of the chalice is done with water alone or with wine and water, which is then drunk by whoever does the purification. The paten is usually wiped clean with the purificator. Care must be taken that whatever may remain of the Blood of Christ after the distribution of Communion is consumed immediately and completely at the altar.”
“B. MASS WITH A DEACON
171. When he is present at the Eucharistic Celebration, a deacon should exercise his ministry, wearing sacred vestments. For the deacon …
e. Assists the priest celebrant in distributing Communion, and purifies and arranges the sacred vessels; …”
"192.192. Likewise, when the distribution of Communion is completed, a duly instituted acolyte helps the priest or deacon to purify and arrange the sacred vessels. When no deacon is present, a duly instituted acolyte carries the sacred vessels to the credence table and there purifies, wipes, and arranges them in the usual way. "
“284 … b. Whatever may remain of the Blood of Christ is consumed at the altar by the priest or the deacon or the duly instituted acolyte who ministered the chalice. The same then purifies, wipes, and arranges the sacred vessels in the usual way.”

Documentation on 3, appropriate dress for an Extraordinary Minister:
“339. In the dioceses of the United States of America, acolytes, altar servers, lectors, and other lay ministers may wear the alb or other suitable vesture or other appropriate and dignified clothing.”
From the 2002 GIRM approved for England and Wales:
“339. Acolytes, lectors, and other lay ministers may wear the alb or other suitable vesture that is lawfully approved by the Conference of Bishops (cf. no. 390).”
2004 Instruction Redemptionis Sacramentum:
“[153.] Furthermore, it is never licit for laypersons to assume the role or the vesture of a Priest or a Deacon or other clothing similar to such vesture.”

Rite of Commissioning Special Ministers of Holy Communion, Introduction, 29 January 1973, in journal Notitiae (1973), pages 165-167:
“13. The special minister who is to distribute communion is to wear either the liturgical vestment in use locally or clothing befitting this sacred ministry. …”
(From Documents on the Liturgy 1963-1979, Liturgical Press, Minnesota, 1982, ISBN 0-8146-1281-4, page 913).

 

[Penitant]

Thank you for your answers so far. The problem I have is I would like documentation of these items.

The same happens at my parish.

I would rather change the way the parish is going then to resign. So if I could get references I believe I can make a stand against these items.

The GIRM is a good source for certain things. It can be found here:
usccb.org/liturgy/current/revmissalisromanien.shtml

I also function as an alter server when I am needed. Recently, I told the priest that I did not want to receive communion before he did. He said he didn’t particularly care. So, he passed by me when he gave It to the alter servers and EMHCs. I just joined the communion line with the rest of the church. I have had one person ask me about this already, so I told him. I am hoping more people ask.

Pax Tecum,
Zach