Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion approaching before the Priest receives

[EWD65]

So, at my parish the E.M.O.H.C. come up and stand behind the alter facing the congregation before the priest receives. There are usually at least 10 of them facing us. I brought this up with one of the members of the clergy in my parish because the GIRM states that they should not “approach the alter” until after the priest receives. His answer was that they are not really approaching the alter but they are merely gathering in the sanctuary area. He also read an article by a priest in a magazine that said this practice was okay. I maintain that since they are more proximate to the alter they are approaching it. I also have to wonder that if my clergyman is right then what in the world would be the point of the rule? I believe the GIRM is trying to guard and highlite a very significant moment in the Mass by protecting it from distractions.

Any comments?

 

[Fast_ed75]

Well, it can be worse. At the two parishes in my city the EMHC’s not only approach the altar they fraction the precious blood- Horrifically, the priest gives them each a consecrated host- they hold the host in their hand until the priest recieves and then they all recieve as concelebrating priests.

 

[ppcpilot]

I have noticed that in just about every parish that use EMHCs, that they are in the very very back, about as far as they can go…I would say that they are in the sanctuary…it’s not like they are leaning up on the altar. Are the people in the front pew guilty of the same thing??

 

[RichT]

In my old parish we were taught to head to the front immediately following saying, “Lord I am not worthy”’ which means we were heading toward the altar while the priest was consuming. This was done at the request of the priest to avoid an akward moment where nothing was happening. Otherwise, they would standing there waiting for us to get there. We had many elderely EMHC’s and they sometimes took a little longer than the younger ones to get to the front of the church.

Now, in my new parish things are much different. All of the EMHC’s approach and stand in the sanctuary before the priest consumes. I supposed one might say they are just moving to a place that is closer to the priest, but not approaching the alter, and then again, I’m sure someone will argue that any movement in the direction of the alter is the same as approaching the alter. By the way we use 36 EMHC’s at our most busiest masses. I know, I know, but let’s just save it for another post. The point is, is that it takes time to get everyone up to the alter so moving into the sanctuary makes sense. None of the EMHC’s receive with the priest. They are always served after the priest and deacon consume. They do stand as far as they can to the back of the sanctuary, so they are not very close to the alter. And, hopefully to prevent a big off topic discussion regarding the use of 36 EMHC’s let me explain. Our parish is two levels and is built like a stadium with several sections on both levels. The walkways are not the widest and the logistics really require the use of many EMHC’s. We have 3 priests, and 7 deacons, some of which minister outside of the church on Sunday, so even if those who were available served on Sunday, we would still have a large need for EMHC’s.

I think this is so typical of the problems with the GIRM. There are parts that can be read by two different people and you will get two different translations.

 

[jmacclure]

I can handle the way our EMHC’s approach prior to communion. They come up before the priest recieves, but stand to the side of the altar next to the servers. What bother’s me the most is that the one who is going to be distributing the consecrated host along with the priest goes to the tabernacle and brings the prieviously consecrated hosts to the altar while the priest stands there (sometimes) and that the EMHC’s distributing the precious blood often self commune from the chalice before they go to their individual spots. (I won’t get into the fact that I think that using EMHC’s for anything other than the precious blood in this parish is excessive - there are maybe 35-40 people at this mass). I just moved to this area, I may see if the other mass times are better.

 

[EWD65]

RichT:

Now, in my new parish things are much different. All of the EMHC’s approach and stand in the sanctuary before the priest consumes. I supposed one might say they are just moving to a place that is closer to the priest, but not approaching the alter, and then again…The point is, is that it takes time to get everyone up to the alter so moving into the sanctuary makes sense…

I really struggle with such a utilitarian approach. Oh my gosh, it will take time. People will have to wait. There will be a dead silent time in the Mass when the EMOHC are coming forward. Oh, heaven forbid. Might this actually add to the sacredness of the Mass? Might this be just what Rome is after? We fully and undistractedly take in the most sacred moment of the priest receiving. Then we wait for our turn. All the while, contemplating and preparing ourselves for a very holy moment. I’ve been to a parish that does it just this way and it’s beautiful. I’m sorry this sounds sarcastic. I’m just struggling with pragmatism in our American worldview.

 

[KennySe]

EWD65:

So, at my parish the E.M.O.H.C. come up and stand behind the alter facing the congregation before the priest receives.

Any comments?

They are wrong to be UP there at that time.

The minister of the Eucharist, who is the priest who has confected the Sacrament of Holy Eucharist, self-communicates…

THEN the extraordinaries are to get out of their seats.

Perhaps you need to send a polite inquiry to your local bishop.

 

[KennySe]

Fast_ed75:

Well, it can be worse. At the two parishes in my city the EMHC’s not only approach the altar they fraction the precious blood- Horrifically, the priest gives them each a consecrated host- they hold the host in their hand until the priest recieves and then they all recieve as concelebrating priests.

I would not be able to keep silent.

 

[KennySe]

jmacclure:

…there are maybe 35-40 people at this mass). I just moved to this area, I may see if the other mass times are better.

With a “crowd” of 35 to 40 people shouldn’t tit be adequate for the priest to distribute the consecrated hosts and pssibly 2 emhc’s to offer the cup: onne on each side of the priest, so that all walk up the main aisle and then turn left or right from the priest to receive from a cup?

 

[jmacclure]

KennySe:

With a “crowd” of 35 to 40 people shouldn’t tit be adequate for the priest to distribute the consecrated hosts and pssibly 2 emhc’s to offer the cup: onne on each side of the priest, so that all walk up the main aisle and then turn left or right from the priest to receive from a cup?

You would think so…

 

[Lurch104]

In our parish, the EMHC’s leave the pew at the “Lamb of God”. One will go to the tabernacle for the previously consecrated Eucharist, and the other EMHC’s wait at the base of the altar steps (outside of the sanctuary). We have specific instructions which we follow to the letter…no one approaches the altar until the celebrant places the precious blood on the altar after he consumes. Also, EMHC’s NEVER self communicate. I consider myself orthodox and I see this as a proper way to utilize EMHC’s. I think those who say EMHC are only to present the cup, are missing the point. The Real Presence of our Lord is there, cup or host.

God Bless!

 

[Deacon_Ed]

In my parish the EMHCs come into the sanctuary but do not ascend to the altar platform until the priest *and *deacon have communicated. At that time they go to their places. The deacon and priest do the fraction rite (distributing the hosts to the various ciboria, etc.) and then the EMHCs receive the Blessed Sacrament from the priest and the Precious Blood from the deacon. Then the priest gives them the vessel that they will use to distribute communion.

The interpretation that the bishops have given to them not approaching the “altar” before the priest communicates is that they are not to be on the altar platform, but may be where the altar servers are since they are also ministers of the Mass.

Deacon Ed

 

[Wisereader]

At our church, the EMOHC are instructed to start their (short) walk up to the altar from their seats as soon as the “Lamb of God” is begun, and therefore are present at the altar for a few minutes before and during the time that the priest self communicates.

 

[Fast_ed75]

KennySe:

I would not be able to keep silent.

Normally, I would not. But I just moved to the area and have not yet officially joined either of these parishes. I’m not sure what can be done since the “Director of Liturgy” at each parish is an unhabited sister/nun- Both happen to be on the Diocesan Liturgy Board.

 

[EWD65]

Deacon Ed:

The interpretation that the bishops have given to them not approaching the “altar” before the priest communicates is that they are not to be on the altar platform, but may be where the altar servers are since they are also ministers of the Mass.

Deacon Ed

Deacon Ed,

Which Bishops? Yours, I’m assuming? Or are you speaking of some official document for all of the US church? I’d like to read it if so.

 

[kmktexas]

While most of the parishes in my area have not implemented the new GIRM or RS, one parish did make a significant change. This is a mega-church and uses 17 EMHC. They sit in the front and go to the foot of the steps leading to the sanctuary just before the Lamb of God. They kneel on the step for the Lamb of God and then go up nearer the altar after the priest receives. Nicely done and true to the GIRM.

Contrast with my parish where the EMHCs also sit in front, right behind the altar servers (level with the rest of the church. our sanctary is tiny). Immediately after the Our Father, they go and stand directly behind Father. This is one of the reasons I declined an invitation to serve as an EMHC.

 

[larryo]

Deacon Ed:

In my parish the EMHCs come into the sanctuary but do not ascend to the altar platform until the priest *and *deacon have communicated. At that time they go to their places. The deacon and priest do the fraction rite (distributing the hosts to the various ciboria, etc.) and then the EMHCs receive the Blessed Sacrament from the priest and the Precious Blood from the deacon. Then the priest gives them the vessel that they will use to distribute communion.

The interpretation that the bishops have given to them not approaching the “altar” before the priest communicates is that they are not to be on the altar platform, but may be where the altar servers are since they are also ministers of the Mass.

Deacon Ed

Your description corresponds with the practice at our parish.

 

[Deacon_Ed]

EWD65:

Deacon Ed,

Which Bishops? Yours, I’m assuming? Or are you speaking of some official document for all of the US church? I’d like to read it if so.

At this link:
usccb.org/liturgy/girm/lit4.htm
you will find the statement of the USCCB. You will note that they talk about the EMHCs approaching the “altar” as opposed to the “sanctuary.” The sanctuary is for ministers who have a role in the Mass: bishop, priest, deacon, altar servers, lectors and EMHCs. They may enter this area and wait. There is no directive that says that they have to stay in their pew until the priest consumes, simply that they cannot be at the altar.

Deacon Ed

 

[EWD65]

Deacon Ed:

At this link:
usccb.org/liturgy/girm/lit4.htm
you will find the statement of the USCCB. You will note that they talk about the EMHCs approaching the “altar” as opposed to the “sanctuary.” The sanctuary is for ministers who have a role in the Mass: bishop, priest, deacon, altar servers, lectors and EMHCs. They may enter this area and wait. There is no directive that says that they have to stay in their pew until the priest consumes, simply that they cannot be at the altar.

Deacon Ed

Thank you Deacon Ed. I did read this and have read it before. It says nothing about entering the sancturary and waiting. It simply says that they may not approach the alter until after the priest receives. I maintain that if they are more proximate to the alter than when they began, then they have approached the alter, especially when they are visible in this action and standing a few feet behind it. At my church they stand behind the alter and never do come closer to it. So this, in my opinion is when they approach. It seems to be mental gymnastics to me to claim that they aren’t really approaching the alter, but just coming into the sancutary. Again, I’m wondering if Rome is meaning to protect and highlight a very signficaant moment in the Mass and don’t want any possible distractions. And again, if this is allowable, as you say, then I can’t for the life of me understand what the rule is all about.

 

[Deacon_Ed]

EWD65:

And again, if this is allowable, as you say, then I can’t for the life of me understand what the rule is all about.

The rule is about not having lay people (or even the deacon) appear to be a concelebrant. If they are not actually at the altar (please note the spelling) there is no way they can be confused as concelebrants. One can move into the sanctuary without approaching the altar since, in most cases, the altar is raised on a platform.

In any event, I have given you the interpretation that was given to me as being what the bishops intended.

Deacon Ed