EMHCs

[sacristan1]

In my Parish the Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion are still being called Eucharistic Ministers. I don’t understand why this term is still used. Our priests even use this term. Do you have some documentation on this. I know I have read it but don’t remember where to locate it readily. Thanks for your help. This is really bugging me.

 

[Matas]

Are you in the United States?
usccb.org/liturgy/girm/lit4.shtml
This link is what the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops says about EMHCs.

When the size of the congregation or the incapacity of the bishop, priest, or deacon requires it, the celebrant may be assisted by other bishops, priests, or deacons. If such ordinary ministers of Holy Communion are not present, "the priest may call upon extraordinary ministers to assist him, i.e., duly instituted acolytes or even other faithful who have been deputed for this purpose. In case of necessity, the priest may also depute suitable faithful for this single occasion (GIRM 162).

I read that there is enough wiggle room in the rubrics for the priest to “require” EMHCs anytime he wants them. What bothers me, sometimes, is the practice at my parish of allowing EMHCs onto the altar before the priest and deacon have received communion. I guess this is a small liturgical abuse, because no one seems to care. If I decide to care, I may be suffering from scrupulousity.

 

[jmcrae]

In my Parish the Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion are still being called Eucharistic Ministers. I don’t understand why this term is still used. Our priests even use this term.

This is happening because people are sloppy and in a hurry, these days. They probably don’t think it’s any big deal because “it’s just a word.” (No doubt these same people would slap their child if he came out with an improper word, and then said, “What’s the big deal? it’s just a word.” )

Do you have some documentation on this. I know I have read it but don’t remember where to locate it readily. Thanks for your help. This is really bugging me.

There may be something in Redemptionis Sacramentum that could help you.

 

[sacristan1]

Thank you very much. I am so happy to have found this forum. All of you are wonderful and so quick to provide much needed information. May God Bless each of you.

 

[John_Lilburne]

From the 2004 Instruction Redemptionis Sacramentum:
“[154.] As has already been recalled, “the only minister who can confect the Sacrament of the Eucharist in persona Christi is a validly ordained Priest”.[254] Hence the name “minister of the Eucharist” belongs properly to the Priest alone. …
[156.] This function is to be understood strictly according to the name by which it is known, that is to say, that of extraordinary minister of Holy Communion, and not “special minister of Holy Communion” nor “extraordinary minister of the Eucharist” nor “special minister of the Eucharist”, by which names the meaning of this function is unnecessarily and improperly broadened.”

It was disappointing to see that Cardinal George used the term “extraordinary minister of the Eucharist” in his interview with John Allen on 2 October 2007 (see ncrcafe.org/node/1361 ).