Pins, Badges and mini-vestments

[levavi]

Have you considered resigning as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion?

They are hardly ever necessary - i.e. communion would never normally be longer than seemly unless it were an open-air mass with 10,000 people…

Having a roster is against the Church’s guidelines on this, anyway…

Ask the priests to do their jobs.

 

[EllieMary]

Thanks everyone for helpful discussion.
I have now requested a meeting of the Liturgy committee this week to further discuss the matter.
With the support of your knowledge and experience, I feel better able to present a reasoned argument that the EM do not need to be singled out by dress.
God bless you for your willingness to comment. EllieMary

 

[japhy]

I have now requested a meeting of the Liturgy committee this week to further discuss the matter. With the support of your knowledge and experience, I feel better able to present a reasoned argument that the EM do not need to be singled out by dress.

Be prepared for heat. When a “Eucharistic minister” (inaccurate term) is told he/she is really an “extraordinary minister of Holy Communion” (accurate term which the Church says should be used), they might not like it. Not in all cases, but in some.

 

[puzzleannie]

anything that resembles or could be mistaken as a stole is completely forbidden for lay persons assisting with liturgy
I suppose a plain cross on a cord is not gaudy enough? the fact that the idea has been brought up suggests those in charge are not familiar with the concept of the GIRM or even aware that there are rules to be followed, which is of far greater concern.

 

[Aramis]

anything that resembles or could be mistaken as a stole is completely forbidden for lay persons assisting with liturgy
I suppose a plain cross on a cord is not gaudy enough? the fact that the idea has been brought up suggests those in charge are not familiar with the concept of the GIRM or even aware that there are rules to be followed, which is of far greater concern.

While it isn’t terribly relevant, in the Byzantine rite, a pectoral cross over 2" is usually reserved to the religious and the ordained.

Likewise, Roman tradition was the same, but may have changed.

 

[puzzleannie]

While it isn’t terribly relevant, in the Byzantine rite, a pectoral cross over 2" is usually reserved to the religious and the ordained.

Likewise, Roman tradition was the same, but may have changed.

a pectoral cross is usually a crucifix, I am talking about the plain wooden cross on a string about 1 1/2 inches or smaller which is standard here. they are kept hanging in the sacristy and those who will be EMHCs are supposed to pick one up, simply so the coordinator will know who is serving, and the communicants will know the person has permission to do so. it was found to be necessary, why I don’t know, but evidently has eliminated some problems that existed in the past.

 

[KathleenElsie]

a pectoral cross is usually a crucifix, I am talking about the plain wooden cross on a string about 1 1/2 inches or smaller which is standard here. they are kept hanging in the sacristy and those who will be EMHCs are supposed to pick one up, simply so the coordinator will know who is serving, and the communicants will know the person has permission to do so. it was found to be necessary, why I don’t know, but evidently has eliminated some problems that existed in the past.

Many of us in the pews wear a simple cross or a crucifix that is around 1 1/2 inches on an everyday basis. So how is a small cross or crucifix so distinguishable that the normal lay person knows who is who. If those trained as EMs were in the pews and they had something that showed they were trained as EMs. And the need for them was shown for a specific Mass then the priest or ushers would know who to ask for help then this would be how to make sure only those trained would be asked for help. A suggestion I would make is that whatever “sign” they wore would only be given at confession the week prior to eligibility.

 

[puzzleannie]

Many of us in the pews wear a simple cross or a crucifix that is around 1 1/2 inches on an everyday basis. So how is a small cross or crucifix so distinguishable that the normal lay person knows who is who. .

I have no idea, not my decision, just how it was explained to me, personally I think the whole thing is stupid, and lay people don’t need a sign saying, hey I am a lay person taking a role in assisting the liturgy, but as a curmudgeon I’ve learned not to say so

I wear a 1" benedictine cross as my commitment symbol to the Oblates and have twice been asked if I am a bishop, and I get called Sister all the time when I wear it, so maybe on second thoughts I should get “lay woman” tatooed on my forehead

 

[benedictgal]

It might help the OP to review the 1997 document issued by the Holy See regarding the collaboration of the Faithful in the Sacred Ministry of the Priest. Regarding vesture, the document notes that:

In the same way, the use of sacred vestments which are reserved to priests or deacons (stoles, chasubles or dalmatics) at liturgical ceremonies by non-ordained members of the faithful is clearly unlawful.

Every effort must be made to avoid even the appearance of confusion which can spring from anomalous liturgical practices. As the sacred ministers are obliged to wear all of the prescribed liturgical vestments so too the non-ordained faithful may not assume that which is not proper to them.

You can read the entire document at this link:

vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cclergy/documents/rc_con_interdic_doc_15081997_en.html

I hope this helps.