Question especially for priests and/or EMHC's

[Mark1970]

So I’ve been an EMHC in my parish for a number of years. One thing I’ve never manage to work out is: how to go about making a decent thanksgiving after receiving Communion when you are distributing Communion to other people. By the nature of things, the priest/celebrant ad EMHC’s (if used) receive Communion before the rest of the congregation. But then the next few minutes are spent distributing Communion to the congregation, and by the time we’re done the celebrant is continuing with the Mass. And according to a traditional priest I spoke to, the Eucharistic Presence of Jesus remains for about 10 minutes after reception of the Sacrament. So considering that the best time for making a thanksgiving is while the Eucharistic Presence remains, and yet that is the time when a priest or EMHC is concentrating on their role, what is the best thing to do about making a thanksgiving?

 

[mosher]

Like the priest, you should make your thanksgiving after Mass. If you concern yourself too much with offering your thanksgiving while the sacramental mode of Christ’s presences still remains in the host you have received, then I think you might be missing the forrest for the sake of the trees. When one has a liturgical function, it is necessary to put aside one’s own needs and concerns and simply focus on the role you have been given and be grateful for that participation in the sacred liturgy. Doing your duty is, considered in one way, your thanksgiving. However, you ought not neglect a proper thanksgiving immediately after Mass.

 

[Cor_ad_Cor]

And according to a traditional priest I spoke to, the Eucharistic Presence of Jesus remains for about 10 minutes after reception of the Sacrament.

I’m not trying to call the priest into question here, as I realize the biological reality of this statement, but from a spiritual and liturgical standpoint, this would render our sending forth at the end of Mass less efficacious, since the reason for nearly immediate dismissal after Communion is that we are to carry Christ into the world.

I’m simply trying to say that as Father pointed out above, your service is your thanksgiving, and you’re not working against the clock.

 

[Don_Ruggero]

Like the priest, you should make your thanksgiving after Mass. If you concern yourself too much with offering your thanksgiving while the sacramental mode of Christ’s presences still remains in the host you have received, then I think you might be missing the forrest for the sake of the trees. When one has a liturgical function, it is necessary to put aside one’s own needs and concerns and simply focus on the role you have been given and be grateful for that participation in the sacred liturgy. Doing your duty is, considered in one way, your thanksgiving. However, you ought not neglect a proper thanksgiving immediately after Mass.

Father has said it here perfectly well, indeed.

 

[NeedImprovement]

As a volunteer (lay) assistant to the Chaplain in a large long-term & palliative care institution, my Sundays are normally hectic: Father celebrates 2 Masses - one in each pavilion. I set up the sound system and the altar in an auditorium, serve the Mass, do the readings (2) in French and (1) in English ; lead the prayer of the faithful ; distribute Holy Communion to half the auditorium -always vigilant of those who would present swallowing problems.

Any moments outside of that are usually spent bringing Holy Communion to patients who couldn’t leave their beds, or helping to bring patients to or from the Masses. When I mentioned to the first Chaplain whom I worked under at the beginning of this 20 years (and counting) apostolate , that I was discouraged because on Sunday , I didn’t have time to spend with the Lord personally upon the reception of Holy Communion, and that I was usually too exhausted by the time I got home to continue with the Rosary or the breviary , he told me:

“It can help to remember that serving a liturgical function (such as an EMHC) during Mass is itself both a prayer and a sacrifice. This prayer and sacrifice can be united to our Blessed Lord’s own Sacrifice during Mass - even if we only have a brief moment to concentrate on it ; any moment from the offertory all the way though to the per ipsum would seem suitable .”

Serving the liturgy actually helped me cherish those (weekday) Masses in my home parish where I was/am free to pray simply as one of the faithful without any liturgical duties apart from being there. On those occasions I do my best to try to be immersed in God during the entire Mass, but particularly at Holy Communion.

I believe Cor ad Cor’s points help to orient our thoughts properly.

I’m not trying to call the priest into question here, as I realize the biological reality of this statement, but from a spiritual and liturgical standpoint, this would render our sending forth at the end of Mass less efficacious, since the reason for nearly immediate dismissal after Communion is that we are to carry Christ into the world.
I’m simply trying to say that as Father pointed out above, your service is your thanksgiving, and you’re not working against the clock.

The Sacarament is called the Eucharist “because it is an action of thanksgiving to God.” CCC 1328 . So one’s service at a Mass (in this case, as an EMHC) is not only one’s thanksgiving, but equally part of what enables the entire congregation to participate in “the action of thanksgiving to God.”

Regarding how long our Blessed Lord “remains with us” in this Sacrament : One cannot receive Holy Communion and then, figuratively speaking, set the timer for 10 minutes - that’s quite outside the realm of what the Church contemplates for the faithful upon reception of Holy Communion.

I personally often ask Jesus at Holy Communion, as the disciples at Emmaus did, to “stay with me.” In this particular sense it would appear that St. Faustina might’ve come a little closer to perfecting the ideal in her daily life than many of us might have at the present moment:
Some food for deep reflection - a snippet taken from divinemercy.org ; The Divine Mercy and the Eucharist

She wrote, “Today, I have come to understand many of God’s mysteries. I have come to know that Holy Communion remains in me until the next Holy Communion. A vivid and clearly felt presence of God continues in my soul… My heart is a living tabernacle in which the living Host is reserved” (Diary, 1302).

 

[JanetF]

When I serve as an EM, I usually stay after mass for a few minutes if needed. Although, in my parish those who give out the Blood of Christ go back to their seats when their cups are empty, so this usually allows me the time I feel I need, as it seems I’m usually giving out the Blood.

 

[Amator_Dei]

I agree with responses given but would like to add a little suggestion. I find it helpful to pray the Anima Christi, particularly the first half as I receive and immediately after.

Anima Christi, sanctifica me. Corpus Christi, salva me. Sanguis Christi, inebria me…

Praying this with all my soul, takes virtually no time and is the greatest “thanksgiving” I can give. I find that I am of a much better disposition to serve as an EMHC having made this prayer.

 

[AngelusDomini]

As others have mentioned it is a joy and a sacrifice to participate in the Mass in a particular role. Whilst it may seem difficult to offer a thanksgiving directly after receiving the Host it is good to recall that sometimes the simplest prayers are the best - there should at least be time to say the Jesus prayer, the opening verses of the Magnificat, or even just a heartfelt “Thank you Jesus”. After Mass there should be time to make a more contemplative thanksgiving.

Everyone should spend some time after Mass in prayer and thanksgiving; I often think it’s sad how quickly people leave after Mass as if spending a few minutes more in church is an inconvenience.