Extrodinary Ministers of Holy Communion

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We belong to a large church, I suppose due to size they feel the need to have 12 people serve the Body and Blood of Christ. I felt the calling and did my best… I was rather confused of the proper procedures and so was everyone else it seemed. I was told three different ways to clean the vessels… this really concerned me, I resigned from this position just because I feel it is so very critical to handle the ‘Body and Blood of our Lord’ in a sacred and specific manner. Still today I see the Ministers confused and uncertain of where to stand. Last Mass I saw a Eucharistic Minister take the body of Christ from someone that was receiving the Blood of Christ and dip it in the Chalice. I was told this should not be done ever… I almost feel this should be left to only the Priest and Deacons of the Church; I guess it is standard today to see several people serving, but please shouldn’t they be properly trained in handling the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ? What should I do?
 
Convert91 said:
We belong to a large church, I suppose due to size they feel the need to have 12 people serve the Body and Blood of Christ. I felt the calling and did my best… I was rather confused of the proper procedures and so was everyone else it seemed. I was told three different ways to clean the vessels… this really concerned me, I resigned from this position just because I feel it is so very critical to handle the ‘Body and Blood of our Lord’ in a sacred and specific manner. Still today I see the Ministers confused and uncertain of where to stand. Last Mass I saw a Eucharistic Minister take the body of Christ from someone that was receiving the Blood of Christ and dip it in the Chalice. I was told this should not be done ever… I almost feel this should be left to only the Priest and Deacons of the Church; I guess it is standard today to see several people serving, but please shouldn’t they be properly trained in handling the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ? What should I do?
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Well, how large is the Church? Cardinal Arinze the other gave a talk on this on EWTN. it was quite interesting what he had to say. I will try to find for you.
 
The answer to your question is yes, the EMCH should be properly trained.
When I first became an extraordinary minister, it was the deacon who trained us on how to handle the host and chalice. Each of our names were submitted to the bishop before we were commissioned.
In most parishes, the training is short, over a day or two. In every parish in which I have been an EMCH, there was also annual training to keep us up to date with changes.
When I first began the ministry, it was the EMCH who took the hosts from the tabernacle. This is no longer allowed. I learned how to clean the vessels, another task that has reverted to the priest.
One of the reasons for limited training is the lack of volunteers for various ministries within the Church. That is definitely not the issue in my current parish. I work overseas in the Middle East. The parish is the most vibrant to which I have belonged. Becoming a Eucharistic Minister in this parish requires one year of formation.
 
Convert91 said:
We belong to a large church, I suppose due to size they feel the need to have 12 people serve the Body and Blood of Christ. I felt the calling and did my best… I was rather confused of the proper procedures and so was everyone else it seemed. I was told three different ways to clean the vessels… this really concerned me, I resigned from this position just because I feel it is so very critical to handle the ‘Body and Blood of our Lord’ in a sacred and specific manner. Still today I see the Ministers confused and uncertain of where to stand. Last Mass I saw a Eucharistic Minister take the body of Christ from someone that was receiving the Blood of Christ and dip it in the Chalice. I was told this should not be done ever… I almost feel this should be left to only the Priest and Deacons of the Church; I guess it is standard today to see several people serving, but please shouldn’t they be properly trained in handling the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ? What should I do?
Click to expand...
In addition to what has been said, the only one who is the “Eucharistic Minister” is the priest, not the laity helping. “Extraordinary minister” is the only valid title for the laity helping distribute the sacrament.
 
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