Eucharist Prayer question - am I sinning?

[MooCowSteph]

I know this is a topic that gets a lot of posts, so stick with me…
I know the way my church procedes with the distribution of Holy Communion is incorrect according to the GIRM: the EMsHC gather around the alter after the sign of peace, before the priest has received communion. We do, however, receive from the priest and comsume the host after him. I’ve tried to address this unsucessfully. My question is, and I sinning by continuing to be a EMHC? I don’t want to stop being a minister because I enjoy it, because they need the help, and because I don’t want to damage the realtionship with my priest. But, of course, not being in a state of sin is more important than all of those reasons. So am I sinning? I asked a priest from a neighboring parish, and he said that’s how he was taught at seminary to do it. He didn’t even know that there could be an issue with it.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

MooCowSteph:

I know this is a topic that gets a lot of posts, so stick with me…
I know the way my church procedes with the distribution of Holy Communion is incorrect according to the GIRM: the EMsHC gather around the alter after the sign of peace, before the priest has received communion. We do, however, receive from the priest and comsume the host after him. I’ve tried to address this unsucessfully. My question is, and I sinning by continuing to be a EMHC? I don’t want to stop being a minister because I enjoy it, because they need the help, and because I don’t want to damage the realtionship with my priest. But, of course, not being in a state of sin is more important than all of those reasons. So am I sinning? I asked a priest from a neighboring parish, and he said that’s how he was taught at seminary to do it. He didn’t even know that there could be an issue with it.

No, But I would suggest that you obtain a copy of the GIRM from the USCCB and show it to them next chance you get. Keep bringing it up.

 

[Pug]

The gathering around the altar thing, does this mean they can’t be behind the altar in a row a reasonable distance behind the priest? Or does it mean they can’t be by/near the altar? or does it mean they should not go up any stairs (to raise to the level of the altar) until all the priests have received or what exactly?

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Pug:

The gathering around the altar thing, does this mean they can’t be behind the altar in a row a reasonable distance behind the priest? Or does it mean they can’t be by/near the altar? or does it mean they should not go up any stairs (to raise to the level of the altar) until all the priests have received or what exactly?

The design of churches requires that the Sanctuary area be clearly distinct from the rest of the church. In older churches it is the area behind the altar rail. In newer churches it is usually raised up a few steps. It is within this clearly distinct area, they are not to enter untill the appropriate time.

 

[mtr01]

Br. Rich SFO:

The design of churches requires that the Sanctuary area be clearly distinct from the rest of the church. In older churches it is the area behind the altar rail. In newer churches it is usually raised up a few steps. It is within this clearly distinct area, they are not to enter untill the appropriate time.

Br. Rich, are you aware of any documentation to this effect? I have always believed that the instruction was as you posted, but as an EMHC, I have also been concerned with this practice at my parish as well.

Let me be a little more specific, I am a member of a huge parish (over 5,000) families so the amount of people at each Mass is very large and we do need quite a few EMHC’s to ensure that Holy Communion doesn’t take a great deal of time. The usual practice is for the cup bearers to remain outside of the sanctuary, but those who distribute the host stand in the very back of the sanctuary. I imagine there would be space limitations to everyone remaining outside of the sanctuary until the priest (and deacon) communicate. In such a situation, is it ok to relax the rule a bit, or should everyone stay outside the sanctuary?

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

mtr01:

Br. Rich, are you aware of any documentation to this effect? I have always believed that the instruction was as you posted, but as an EMHC, I have also been concerned with this practice at my parish as well.

Let me be a little more specific, I am a member of a huge parish (over 5,000) families so the amount of people at each Mass is very large and we do need quite a few EMHC’s to ensure that Holy Communion doesn’t take a great deal of time. The usual practice is for the cup bearers to remain outside of the sanctuary, but those who distribute the host stand in the very back of the sanctuary. I imagine there would be space limitations to everyone remaining outside of the sanctuary until the priest (and deacon) communicate. In such a situation, is it ok to relax the rule a bit, or should everyone stay outside the sanctuary?

Everyone should follow the rule and remain outside the Sanctuary.

Another possibility would be along the lines of when I was a EMHC at a Pontificial Mass for 90,000. Holy Communion did not take much longer that at a regular parish! This is how they did it. First was to not offer the Blood of Christ to everyone. I personally do not think carrying a chalice to the far back of a large church is a good idea to begin with. Today distributing only the Host may be necessary at very large parishes or crowded Masses. Second several sets of Hosts already in their own “ciborium” “pre-packaged” so to speak, were Consecrated at the Mass. These were delivered to EMHC at designated places, remote from the altar. The Deacon(s) and Priest(s) bring several ciborum to one of several EMHC waiting outside the Sanctuary who then takes them to other EMHC waiting at different points in the church, keeping the last for themselves and going to their place of distribution.

The reverse is done afterwards.