EMHC Timing

[Sanctus]

I was wondering what the appropriate time for the Extrodanary Ministers of Holy Communion is to step forward. I know they’re not supposed to be around the altar for the Concecration…but I thought they also wern’t supposed to be in the sanctuary before the Priest receives Holy Communion. When is the appropriate time? Is this directive found in R.S.?

 

[Della]

In our parish EMHCs gather quietly to one side of the altar area, down on the main floor until the priest is ready to begin distributing the hosts and cups. Then they come up, one at a time to receive, the first one receiving from the priest of each the hosts and the cups, while the others serve one another. Then they are directed to their spots around the church. Maybe someone with more knowledge can tell you where to find what the EMHCs are supposed to do, but I’m pretty such ours have been properly trained and are doing things as they should be.

I’ve seen parishes where the EMHCs receive the hosts and cups before Elevation and elevate theirs along with the priest, but this is not proper because only the priest(s) ought to do that.

 

[Deacon_Ed]

Sanctus:

I was wondering what the appropriate time for the Extrodanary Ministers of Holy Communion is to step forward. I know they’re not supposed to be around the altar for the Concecration…but I thought they also wern’t supposed to be in the sanctuary before the Priest receives Holy Communion. When is the appropriate time? Is this directive found in R.S.?

The approach that we take is to have the EMHCs come to the floor in the sanctuary (not up on the altar platform) after the sign of peace. Then, once the priest and deacon have received communion they come up onto the platform and receive communion.

This minimizes the distraction of having people gather in front of the altar…

Deacon Ed

 

[Journeyman]

delta and Deacon Ed,

Do the EMHC’s receive the ciborium or chalice from the priest or deacon, or do they “take” the ciborium or chalice from the alter?

 

[Pug]

Journeyman:

Do the EMHC’s receive the ciborium or chalice from the priest or deacon, or do they “take” the ciborium or chalice from the alter?

The EMHC are handed the ciborium or chalice. Then the EMHC proceeds to position.

 

[Journeyman]

delta and Deacon Ed,

Do the EMHC’s receive the ciborium or chalice from the priest or deacon, or do they “take” the ciborium or chalice from the alter?

 

[Deacon_Ed]

Journeyman:

delta and Deacon Ed,

Do the EMHC’s receive the ciborium or chalice from the priest or deacon, or do they “take” the ciborium or chalice from the alter?

According to the directions from Rome they are to be given the vessel that they will use. This may come, according to my office for worship, from the priest or deacon (the directives say “priest” but this is interpreted in the United States as “priest or deacon” since the deacon is an ordinary minister of Holy Communion).

Deacon Ed

 

[Lux_et_veritas]

It is really a good idea to familiarize ourselves with those documents that tell us such things. The General Instruction of the Roman Missal states the following:

If extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion are required by pastoral need, they approach the altar as the priest receives 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. (NDRHC, 38).

The above was taken from this particular page:

usccb.org/liturgy/girm/lit4.shtml

The documents we should read through, and I found rather interesting are the G.I.R.M. and Redemptionis Sacramentum, where liturgical abuses are addressed. Certain practices like the priest sitting down while EMHC’s distribute, you will find have been reprobated (like - they cannot do this any longer). You will note at the end of Redemptionis Sacramentum that the document tells us that we are obligated to report liturgical abuses when we recognize them. It is prudent to talk to those involved if they are approachable first though.

usccb.org/liturgy/girm/index.shtml

vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/ccdds/documents/rc_con_ccdds_doc_20040423_redemptionis-sacramentum_en.html

Hope this helps!

 

[Lux_et_veritas]

I might add that it would seem prudent to not be anywhere near the altar until the priest receives Communion as well, so as not to distract. At one parish I attended, they lined up discretely off to the side, but not in the Sanctuary, until after the priest received.

 

[Sanctus]

Thanks for the help…I actually found this too:

GIRM 162: “[Extraordinary] 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.”

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Journeyman:

delta and Deacon Ed,

Do the EMHC’s receive the ciborium or chalice from the priest or deacon, or do they “take” the ciborium or chalice from the alter?

No one is to take or place anything on the corporal (altar) except the priest or deacon.