Format for bringing communion to the sick

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NoelFitz

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I have been an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion for years in our parish church, but recently I have been asked to bring communion to a sick neighbor. Please let me know the correct way to do this. What prayers are appropriate, etc.?
Many thanks.
 
You should have been given a little booklet explaining how to do it when you were commissioned.

Ask in your parish office, or, if you want to buy your own, try somewhere like CTS or Redemptorist Publications.

Has the practice of taking Holy Communion only just been introduced in your parish, or is there someone already doing it who you can ask?

It’s very bad you haven’t been given information.
 
Guidelines for Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion to the Sick

You have been called to a very special ministry. Jesus calls each of us to visit the sick: “I was sick and you visited me” (Matthew 25:31-46). Bringing Holy Communion to the sick is both a corporal and spiritual work of mercy. In this service, you minister to the whole person – body, mind, and soul. You serve as an ambassador of Christ (2Corinthians 5:20), the Catholic Church, and ----------parish. In bringing the Body and Blood of our Lord to the sick, you are an instrument of evangelization by your actions of love, kindness, and comfort. Getting Started: 1. In your training, you received a blue book or pamphlet with the Rite for Holy Communion to the Sick. Note the options in the Rite that vary depending on whether people are in a hospital, nursing home, or at home. Always bring a copy of the Rite with you to use. You were also given copies of pages from the Code of Canon Law on receiving Holy Communion and information on the Anointing of the Sick. Please read these before going out for the first time, and review them frequently to keep the information fresh.
  1. Always use a pyx and burse when carrying the Hosts. These are available at the receptionist’s desk at the church.
Read the rest HERE:
ewtn.com/vexperts/showmessage.asp?number=444144
 
Paperwifht66
Many thanks. I was not given a booklet. When I trained the priest gave us only the advice he got, that if one drops the host down a woman’s cleavage there is no need to poke around looking for it.
He emphasized that no one is worthy to bring communion, but it should be done with care and reverence and an appreciation of what is being done.
Discussing the issue with those in charge I was told to do what seems appropriate to me and the recipient,and some suitable prayers and readings are acceptable.
 
Pianistclare
I did not receive a blue book or pamphlet. Can I get these online?

The parish gave me a pyx, but no burse. Is one really necessary?

I looked at the URL you gave me, but it is not really satisfactory. The person I will go to is a friend and neighbor who lives a few doors away from me, and who used to attend “Recollections” with me.

Please keep me in your prayers, and I hope neither myself or the recipient wiil do anything culpable.
 
I’m not sure how that works in the US. Here, one of the Archdioceses published a book of Celebrations in the Absence of Priests, where the rite for bringing communion to the sick by laypeople is found. If I’m not mistaken, this is adapted by either each diocese or the episcopal conferences. It basically follows the structure of a general greeting, an act of contrition, a reading of the Scriptures, an our Father, Communion, thanksgiving, and departure.
 
Here is a little format:

Make the sign of the cross together.

Pray the Confiteor together.

Pray the Our Father together.

Open the pyx, and hold the pyx in front of both of you.

Pray the Lamb of God together.

Take the Host out of the pyx and hold It before the one receiving.

You say “Behold the Lamb of God…” (whatever is the proper wording from the Roman Missal in your country)

Together “Lord I am not worthy…”

Then administer Communion the same as at Mass “The Body of Christ” and “Amen.”

Allow for a brief moment of reflection & thanksgiving.

You say the Collect for Corpus Christi Sunday (which is also the prayer used at Benediction). Again, use your own Missal’s translation.

O God, who in this wonderful Sacrament have left us a memorial of your Passion, grant us, we pray, so to revere the sacred mysteries of your Body and Blood that we may always experience in ourselves the fruits of your redemption. Who live and reign with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, on God, for ever and ever.

Make the Sign of the Cross together. Do not attempt a blessing.

That is just one suggestion. You should do what your pastor expects you to do, not someone on the internet. I’m only providing this because you asked and because it’s become clear that you weren’t actually given proper instructions on what to do.

You might add a prayer after the Confiteor, such as the Collect of that day, or of the previous Sunday if it’s a weekday. You could also add any or all of the readings (yes, even the Gospel) of that Sunday if you have them available.
 
NoelFitz said:
Pianistclare
I did not receive a blue book or pamphlet. Can I get these online?

The parish gave me a pyx, but no burse. Is one really necessary?

I looked at the URL you gave me, but it is not really satisfactory. The person I will go to is a friend and neighbor who lives a few doors away from me, and who used to attend “Recollections” with me.

Please keep me in your prayers, and I hope neither myself or the recipient wiil do anything culpable.
Click to expand...
The burse is for you to be able to wear the pyx around your neck and thereby, close to your heart.
They are quite inexpensive, get one for your own peace of mind.
You’ll do fine. The fact that you care so deeply about being “correct” is an indication that you take this seriously.

Did you read the link? Al the necessary instructions are there…
May you be a great blessing in your work.
 
pianistclare said:
The burse is for you to be able to wear the pyx around your neck and thereby, close to your heart.
They are quite inexpensive, get one for your own peace of mind.
You’ll do fine. The fact that you care so deeply about being “correct” is an indication that you take this seriously.

Did you read the link? Al the necessary instructions are there…
May you be a great blessing in your work.
Click to expand...
There’s too much information there.

Much of it doesn’t apply. For example: that particular parish uses a system of writing a number on bits of paper to place next to the pyx (how many hosts?). It doesn’t apply to other places. The hospital procedures also don’t apply to other places.

It’s a good read, but people need to know that it’s not anything official. That’s just how one pastor chooses to do things in that parish.
 
FrDavid96 said:
There’s too much information there.

Much of it doesn’t apply. For example: that particular parish uses a system of writing a number on bits of paper to place next to the pyx (how many hosts?). It doesn’t apply to other places. The hospital procedures also don’t apply to other places.

It’s a good read, but people need to know that it’s not anything official. That’s just how one pastor chooses to do things in that parish.
Click to expand...
Do you have a source for a good book?
I’d like to get a few for our parish as well.
 
pianistclare said:
Do you have a source for a good book?
I’d like to get a few for our parish as well.
Click to expand...
The OP is in Ireland, so I’ve avoided recommending any books.

For the United States, I would recommend the book “Pastoral Care of the Sick” although that is more applicable to a priest or deacon. A layperson can certainly use it, but it’s a bit bulky and relatively expensive.

There is a booklet called “Communion of the Sick” published by Liturgical Press. It’s helpful and useful, but contains some commentary that’s more the publisher’s opinion and it can be misleading.

Here is the ISBN 0814634559

You can search for it on Amazon or another source. It’s readily available. The price range is $4.
 
edwest2 said:
Here’s a source:

amazon.com/Communion-Sick-Various/dp/0814634559

I suggest reviewing the booklet with your priest to make sure something isn’t missing or something is not correct or different or has been changed.

Ed
Click to expand...
That’s the one.

One should either have the updated version to reflect the corrected English Missal, or at least be aware of those changes and use the correct text–for example “Lord I am not worthy that You should come under my roof…” etc.
 
FrDavid96 said:
That’s the one.

One should either have the updated version to reflect the corrected English Missal, or at least be aware of those changes and use the correct text–for example “Lord I am not worthy that You should come under my roof…” etc.
Click to expand...
Thank you Fr.
 
pianistclare said:
Guidelines for Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion to the Sick

You have been called to a very special ministry. Jesus calls each of us to visit the sick: “I was sick and you visited me” (Matthew 25:31-46). Bringing Holy Communion to the sick is both a corporal and spiritual work of mercy. In this service, you minister to the whole person – body, mind, and soul. You serve as an ambassador of Christ (2Corinthians 5:20), the Catholic Church, and ----------parish. In bringing the Body and Blood of our Lord to the sick, you are an instrument of evangelization by your actions of love, kindness, and comfort. Getting Started: 1. In your training, you received a blue book or pamphlet with the Rite for Holy Communion to the Sick. Note the options in the Rite that vary depending on whether people are in a hospital, nursing home, or at home. Always bring a copy of the Rite with you to use. You were also given copies of pages from the Code of Canon Law on receiving Holy Communion and information on the Anointing of the Sick. Please read these before going out for the first time, and review them frequently to keep the information fresh.
  1. Always use a pyx and burse when carrying the Hosts. These are available at the receptionist’s desk at the church.
Read the rest HERE:
ewtn.com/vexperts/showmessage.asp?number=444144
Click to expand...
Very similar things were given to those in my parish who do this ministry either frequently or infrequently. Those who wanted to participate had to attend a special training session also.
 
From my experience, I’ve found the training to be quite lacking. What to do, for example, when the patient’s diet is restricted, as on a date when they’re scheduled for surgery among other times. And it seems those are the times when they need prayers the most.
 
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