Mandate for Eucharistic Ministers

[Rickwood]

Do you mean there is some rule that says this? Then it seems similar to “is there a rule that EMsHC must receive?” (Not, apparently, to either of our knowledge)
Or do you mean it should not happen? Well, yeah: But geeze-louise, it’s not her fault that Father’s homily was short. And then she’s supposed to start whispering up and down the pew seeking a replacement? I don’t think so.

tee

I mean the EMHC should not break the fast, period – shortened homily or not. Eat an hour (or more) before your scheduled Mass begins. DONE.

 

[NewUlm1976_2000]

I was very vocally away from the Church for most of adult life. Three years ago I had a very strong conversion (reversion?) experience and I am thankful to be back everyday. I have been a Eucharistic Minister for a little over a year, which is the focus of my concern today. Last week all EMs received the following information in an e-mail from one of the lay leaders in the Parish:

“Also ministers, please remember you are role models for the rest of the assembly on how to properly receive the eucharist. If you are serving at a mass – please receive the host in your hand and receive from the cup. When you are not scheduled to serve, you may receive however you wish. “

There is a tremendous amount about our Faith that I don’t know and while I read a great deal I still defer to some of the lay leaders on Liturgical questions. The above statement, however, struck me as wrong and over stepping. When I inquired as to why we must receive in the hand I was told that its better and that, “the US has always been a little ahead in terms of implementing the liturgical revision set by the Second Vatican Council.” My hours scouring the web has left me a little exhausted by the wealth of writings that are either very conservative (tongue only) or liberal (hand only) but I’m not looking to further a debate based on personal views. One of the unique beauties of our Faith is the central authority of the Church. Can someone let me know where the Magisterium stands on this issue? I could find nothing in the Catechism either way. Perhaps my concerns are just a result of my own ignorance. Any feedback would be appreciated.

This sounds like a local parish preference. Each way is valid, but your parish is going after a unity of reception for all EMs before they start distributing. You are up front and everyone is watching. Uniformity is preferred in this case. You can still choose to receive either way when you are not scheduled for EM duties.

 

[Rickwood]

This sounds like a local parish preference. Each way is valid, but your parish is going after a unity of reception for all EMs before they start distributing. You are up front and everyone is watching. Uniformity is preferred in this case. You can still choose to receive either way when you are not scheduled for EM duties.

Nope.

The pastor and his bishop do not have the authority to restrict communion for EMsHC to in-hand only, WHERE communion-in-hand is allowed to begin with. That’s really not debatable.

“Unity of reception” and “local parish preferences” are both pernicious non-issues.

 

[japhy]

You are up front and everyone is watching.

Yay. Watching the priest and various ministers of Holy Communion chew and sip and swallow.

 

[Spirithound]

It sounds to me like the person in charge is overstepping her authority, but I still think she has a point.

No, there is no point there. This is a discipline issue, and Pope has the authority to tell us how to do things, and he has. He could mandate universal reception on the tongue, or universal reception in the hand, but he has allowed both. Argument and usurpation of authority is not allowed.

 

[Lepanto]

Can someone let me know where the Magisterium stands on this issue? I could find nothing in the Catechism either way. Perhaps my concerns are just a result of my own ignorance. Any feedback would be appreciated.

This should be a BIG help for you.

forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=265561

 

[Kevirish01]

NewUlm1976_2000
This sounds like a local parish preference. Each way is valid, but your parish is going after a unity of reception for all EMs before they start distributing. You are up front and everyone is watching. Uniformity is preferred in this case. You can still choose to receive either way when you are not scheduled for EM duties.

Please cite a liturgical document which says a parish has the right to a “parish preference” for the EMoHC’s (**NOT **EMs) reception for Holy Communion for the sake of “unity” or “uniformity.”

You are up front and everyone is watching.

Ah yes! Like – um – being entertained! Which, as some of our traditionalist friends would say, is one of the problems with too many “options” with the N.O. Mass – but I digress.

 

[japhy]

NewUlm1976_2000: You are up front and everyone is watching.

Ah yes! Like – um – being entertained!

I’ll add another thing… if you’re up front and everyone’s watching, why should that deter you from receiving Holy Communion the way you prefer and the Church lets you? Why not let the people see that an EMHC receives on the tongue? Where’s the harm in that? Why enforce unity where the Church has allowed variety? (Especially, why enforce unity in an indulted action over and against a universal action?)

Or is it that if everyone’s watching, you should just go along with the crowd? (Does that sound familiar?)

 

[maherite1977]

… Last week all EMs received the following information in an e-mail from one of the lay leaders in the Parish:

“Also ministers, please remember you are role models for the rest of the assembly on how to properly receive the eucharist. If you are serving at a mass – please receive the host in your hand and receive from the cup. When you are not scheduled to serve, you may receive however you wish. “

There is a tremendous amount about our Faith that I don’t know and while I read a great deal I still defer to some of the lay leaders on Liturgical questions. The above statement, however, struck me as wrong and over stepping. When I inquired as to why we must receive in the hand I was told that its better and that, “the US has always been a little ahead in terms of implementing the liturgical revision set by the Second Vatican Council.” My hours scouring the web has left me a little exhausted by the wealth of writings that are either very conservative (tongue only) or liberal (hand only) but I’m not looking to further a debate based on personal views. One of the unique beauties of our Faith is the central authority of the Church. Can someone let me know where the Magisterium stands on this issue? I could find nothing in the Catechism either way. Perhaps my concerns are just a result of my own ignorance. Any feedback would be appreciated.

It is definitely not a result of ignorance - rest assured. As for being a role model of the rest of the assembly on how to receive the Eucharist, I know (being an Altar Server at the same Parish for 15+ years and being a EMHC for over 10 years) most people receive Communion the same way each time they approach the Pastor or EMHC. In fact, if you know the person, you almost expect them to receive Communion the same way every time! You are probably not going to be the examples they are going to follow in methodology - nor SHOULD you be. That should be up to the Pastor of the Parish (locally) and/or the Pope (globally).

God Bless!