EMHC's. What are thier duties?

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In fact, I would say ordinarily the EMHC should not wear an alb, as it elevates the role too much. EMHCs are simply laity who enter the sanctuary from the pews to help distribute Communion, then return to their pews when finished.

If they wear an alb, then they must stay in the sanctuary, correct? I have NEVER seen that done, thank goodness because that is inappropriate for an EMHC to be seated in the sanctuary with the altar servers.
 
The alb is a vestment proper to all, as it is symbolic of one’s baptism. It would be appropriate for a minister at Mass to vest in an alb when performing their ministry. As only the ordained are required to vest, and vestments are optional for lay ministers, most parishes do not have (allow) readers or Communion ministers wear an alb.

Communion ministers wearing an alb while distributing Communion should probably vest in the Sacristy or vesting room just prior to entering the Sanctuary for service. I would have to compare the GIRM’s comments about ministers in the Sanctuary (in a generic sense) with the specifics of the GIRM and RS for Communion ministers before I could comment further.
 
jpjd said:
In fact, I would say ordinarily the EMHC should not wear an alb, as it elevates the role too much. EMHCs are simply laity who enter the sanctuary from the pews to help distribute Communion, then return to their pews when finished.

If they wear an alb, then they must stay in the sanctuary, correct? I have NEVER seen that done, thank goodness because that is inappropriate for an EMHC to be seated in the sanctuary with the altar servers.
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It is required in our diocese for EMHCs to wear an alb (our bishop emeritus required it, and to my knowledge our new bishop has not changed the rule). Perhaps I made a mistake in assuming it was done in other dioceses as well.

In our parish, and in most that I have visited, the EMHCs sit in the pews (wearing their albs) with their families and come up to the sanctuary after the priest has received Communion.

I don’t know that it “elevates the role”’; I hope not. I do know that it avoids the entire issue of EMHCs wearing short skirts, sleeveless blouses, etc., since everything is covered.
 
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