Eucharist

[kpollard]

Can a Eucharistic Minister Consecrate The Bread?

 

[Sir_Knight]

I don’t think so. I think he/she can only distribute it.

 

[Didi]

Consecration can only occur through the Holy Spirit through an ordained Catholic priest.

 

[a_pilgrim]

kpollard:

Can a Eucharistic Minister Consecrate The Bread?

Kind of a trick question here. Technical answer… yes.

Before the flames roll in, let me explain…

According to Redemptionis Sacramentum, note the following:

1. 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.

Since the Priest, by definition, is the **only **Eucharestic Minister among those who distribute Holy Communion, and since it is through his actions that the consecration occurs, then as Eucharistic Minister he may, and in fact does, consecrate the bread. All others who distribute Holy Communion are not to be referred to as Eucharistic Ministers, but instead as Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, thus recognizing the Priest’s special and singular role among all those who may distribute the Blessed Sacrament.

Now, if the question were reworded to say, “Can an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion consecrate the bread?” (which I am certain was the original intent of the query), the answer is a definitive no. The grace to consecrate valid matter into the Body and Blood of Our Lord can only be achieved through the Sacrament of Holy Orders and, more specifically, ordination to the priesthood - not even an ordained deacon has the faculties to preform the Act of Consecration.