Question regarding Extraordinary Ministers

[Tasha]

I’m not even sure if that is capitalized.

My question comes to me from my dear friend who has suddenly (I think) taken an interest in the Catholic Church.

She asked me to take her to Mass last night. She said she was disturbed that women were allowed to distribute Communion. She was even surprised that women were allowed to do the readings. How do I explain this to her? I told her women were not allowed to be priests or deacons. And that extraordinary ministers are not on the level of them.

What else should I say?

 

[WhollyRoamin]

I’m not even sure if that is capitalized.

My question comes to me from my dear friend who has suddenly (I think) taken an interest in the Catholic Church.

She asked me to take her to Mass last night. She said she was disturbed that women were allowed to distribute Communion. She was even surprised that women were allowed to do the readings. How do I explain this to her? I told her women were not allowed to be priests or deacons. And that extraordinary ministers are not on the level of them.

What else should I say?

You should tell her that the position of women as lectors was officially recognized in October 2008 (cnsblog.wordpress.com/2008/10/25/an-opening-on-women-lectors/) and that when women filled that job before October 2008. The ministry of lector is what became of the minor clerical order when Pope Paul VI suppressed the minor orders. In a traditional sense, it’s a clerical position open only to men. So your friend has a point.

You can also tell her that the term “Extra-ordinary Minister of Holy Communion” implies that the position was intended to be not-ordinary and that they are were never intended to be the normative way to receive Holy Communion at Mass. So it’s not that women should or should not be EHMCs, it’s that EHMCs should be the exception, not the rule.

Maybe you should invite your friend to a Tridentine Latin Mass? It sounds like she would fit in well there.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

I’m not even sure if that is capitalized.

My question comes to me from my dear friend who has suddenly (I think) taken an interest in the Catholic Church.

She asked me to take her to Mass last night. She said she was disturbed that women were allowed to distribute Communion. She was even surprised that women were allowed to do the readings. How do I explain this to her? I told her women were not allowed to be priests or deacons. And that extraordinary ministers are not on the level of them.

What else should I say?

That the Catholic Church has many Lay Ministries ALL Baptized and Confirmed are called to be ministers of the Gospel in special and specific ways and that it also includes some Liturgical ministries.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

You should tell her that the position of women as lectors was officially recognized in October 2008 (cnsblog.wordpress.com/2008/10/25/an-opening-on-women-lectors/) and that when women filled that job before October 2008. The ministry of lector is what became of the minor clerical order when Pope Paul VI suppressed the minor orders. In a traditional sense, it’s a clerical position open only to men. So your friend has a point.

You can also tell her that the term “Extra-ordinary Minister of Holy Communion” implies that the position was intended to be not-ordinary and that they are were never intended to be the normative way to receive Holy Communion at Mass. So it’s not that women should or should not be EHMCs, it’s that EHMCs should be the exception, not the rule.

Maybe you should invite your friend to a Tridentine Latin Mass? It sounds like she would fit in well there.

The women reading at Mass are “Lay Readers” not Lectors. The Instituted ministry of Lector is only open to to men.

 

[Newbie2]

The women reading at Mass are “Lay Readers” not Lectors. The Instituted ministry of Lector is only open to to men.

But if I were the OP, I wouldn’t tell my friend about that. In day to day practice, women read the readings just as Lectors would do…i.e. it’s pretty much just a title thing.

 

[Phemie]

You should tell her that the position of women as lectors was officially recognized in October 2008 (cnsblog.wordpress.com/2008/10/25/an-opening-on-women-lectors/) and that when women filled that job before October 2008. The ministry of lector is what became of the minor clerical order when Pope Paul VI suppressed the minor orders. In a traditional sense, it’s a clerical position open only to men. So your friend has a point.

You can also tell her that the term “Extra-ordinary Minister of Holy Communion” implies that the position was intended to be not-ordinary and that they are were never intended to be the normative way to receive Holy Communion at Mass. So it’s not that women should or should not be EHMCs, it’s that EHMCs should be the exception, not the rule.

Maybe you should invite your friend to a Tridentine Latin Mass? It sounds like she would fit in well there.

I’m afraid you’ve misinterpreted what that vote was. Women as Lectors wasn’t ‘officially recognized’ but rather a vote was taken on whether the proposal should be made to Rome that women be instituted as Lectors. The proposal was made but I don’t think we are close to seeing the day when that instituted ministry will be open to women. Of course, I’ve been wrong before.

In practice, how many dioceses have instituted Lectors (and Acolytes) who aren’t seeking Ordination? I doubt that most people in the pews know that there is such a ministry for men who don’t intend to be ordained.

 

[Phemie]

But if I were the OP, I wouldn’t tell my friend about that. In day to day practice, women read the readings just as Lectors would do…i.e. it’s pretty much just a title thing.

Why wouldn’t you tell, and explain the similarities AND the differences?

 

[Tasha]

Thank you for these answers. It seems it’s a complicated question. She’s diving in the deep end! Believe it or not, WR, she’s already asked me to find her a Latin Mass!!! I’ll tell her you suggested it!

 

[Newbie2]

Why wouldn’t you tell, and explain the similarities AND the differences?

I meant that at this point in the friend’s faith journey, that’s something that could wait until later, not to be evasive on their question. As has been said, not many Catholics know about the Lector ministry “rules”.

 

[Phemie]

I meant that at this point in the friend’s faith journey, that’s something that could wait until later, not to be evasive on their question. As has been said, not many Catholics know about the Lector ministry “rules”.

That’s why I’d make sure she’s one up on the average person in the pew. Explain that readers may be of either gender and that they are simply filling in the gap due to lack of Instituted Lectors, who must be male. Tell her that the gap is due to:

a) few men asking to be readers, even fewer seeking to be Instituted Lectors, and/or

b) the Bishop having opted not to have Instituted Lectors who aren’t seeking ordination.

I think b) is the case in most dioceses.

 

[Tasha]

Thank you to everyone who helped me form an answer for her. She is taking all the info like a hungry lion! I don’t know how she finds the time. She’s working 60 hours a week as a home-health RN. She is raising two of her young grandchildren, besides having her two youngest at home. Also horses and dogs! She took me to Mass in between patients. She told me something was missing from her life. I told her yeah, the Eucharist. I’m excited for her. Perhaps I can get her on the forum here and she can have at it.

 

[AngelRose81]

So glad I saw this thread. DH currently has a BIG problem with the same things. And in fact these are two of the big things keeping him from wanting to start RCIA, so I’m thankful for your thread.

 

[Newbie2]

That’s why I’d make sure she’s one up on the average person in the pew. Explain that readers may be of either gender and that they are simply filling in the gap due to lack of Instituted Lectors, who must be male. Tell her that the gap is due to:

a) few men asking to be readers, even fewer seeking to be Instituted Lectors, and/or

b) the Bishop having opted not to have Instituted Lectors who aren’t seeking ordination.

I think b) is the case in most dioceses.

Well, maybe…I guess it depends on whether the person in interested in taking more than the first baby steps into the understanding of Catholocism.

 

[Tasha]

Oh no, AngelRose, my friend was also troubled by the use of musical instruments! She says the church she attended did not allow any music other than voices. I hope your husband doesn’t feel the same about that, too!

She asked me today about receiving both Body and Blood. “Why would everyone not choose to, since Jesus told us told do both?” I really thought she made a good point.
I told her Christ was completely sacramentally present in each. But she said again, “Jesus said to do both, though.” I checked the CCC and it did agree with her. She’s going to make me study and study!

 

[davymax3]

That the Catholic Church has many Lay Ministries ALL Baptized and Confirmed are called to be ministers of the Gospel in special and specific ways and that it also includes some Liturgical ministries.

That’s an awkward explanation as it’s only out of extraordinary circumstance that this happens.

However, I completely agree with your friend. I don’t see why having people wait and prayer for an extra 15 minutes while the priest hands out communion is “extr aordinary.” If anything I would prefer to have the extra time to meditate and pray at Mass.

 

[LumenGent]

It is important to make the appropriate distinction that EMHC are a liberal innovation incorporated into the modern Latin Church. It is an alienable concept in the Eastern Catholic Churches. In my humble opinion, this is one of the greatest abuses in the Latin Church and a prime reason as to why many have left the Church. The Church will one day regret the moment it allowed it, actually it already is.

 

[Tasha]

I apologize for going off topic (my own topic). I caught up in my dear friend’s enthusiasm and her thirst for knowledge.

I was truly ignorant of the issues regarding Extraordinary Ministers. I tend to be trusting and accepting of the “things” going on around me. It seems this touched a nerve, not only for my friend but for many others as well. I am more confused than ever.

Again, sorry for not staying on topic.

 

[Orogeny]

I apologize for going off topic (my own topic). I caught up in my dear friend’s enthusiasm and her thirst for knowledge.

I was truly ignorant of the issues regarding Extraordinary Ministers. I tend to be trusting and accepting of the “things” going on around me. It seems this touched a nerve, not only for my friend but for many others as well. I am more confused than ever.

Again, sorry for not staying on topic.

Well, for one thing, make sure you are clear on the meaning of “extra-ordinary” in EMHC. It isn’t equivalent of extraordinary as in only in rare circumstances. Extra-ordinary refers to the fact that the person distributing Holy Communion is not ordained, ie ordinary. For example, the priest is the Eucharistic Minister (a term sometimes mistakenly applied to EMHCs). The deacon, if present, would be the Ordinary Minister of Holy Communion because he is ordained but is not a priest. Any laity that helps distribute Holy Communion are extra-ordinary (not ordained) ministers of Holy Communion.

The argument can be made that the use of EMHCs is excessive, but that doesn’t change the meaning of extra-ordinary.

Peace

Tim

 

[WhollyRoamin]

Oh no, AngelRose, my friend was also troubled by the use of musical instruments! She says the church she attended did not allow any music other than voices. I hope your husband doesn’t feel the same about that, too!

My, your friend is making some excellent commentary on Holy Mass! In 1903, Pope St. Pius X’s encyclical “Tra le Sollecitudini” (“Instruction on Sacred Music”) addresses this very subject in Section VI of his letter (adoremus.org/TraLeSollecitudini.html).

She asked me today about receiving both Body and Blood. “Why would everyone not choose to, since Jesus told us told do both?” I really thought she made a good point.
I told her Christ was completely sacramentally present in each. But she said again, “Jesus said to do both, though.” I checked the CCC and it did agree with her. She’s going to make me study and study!

Please don’t forget that in both species of the Blessed Sacrament, Christ is fully present in body, blood, soul and divinity! To receive Him in a consecrated host is to eat His body and to drink His blood at the same time.

 

[crm114]

The argument can be made that the use of EMHCs is excessive, but that doesn’t change the meaning of extra-ordinary.

How might we justify the often-observed practice of EMHCs distributing communion while ordained ministers are seated in the sanctuary or in the nave? The explanations I have heard include “It wasn’t my turn to preach this week and so I did not vest,” (a deacon), or “It was my turn to be ‘Eucharistic Minister’ this week so I told Father we did not need him.” (EMHC).

How do we explain the army of EMHCs standing all around the nave or at every “communion station,” mostly idle, holding cups?

And how is it that we have all this clergy-wannabe manpower available during communion and, yes, available to pseudo-concelebrate at the fraction rite, but when communion is over, one or two low-ranking busboy EMs carry the sacred vessels offstage, unpurified, as if they were dirty dishes. Is the Blessed Sacrament not still present? Which is more important: reverent administration and reverent reservation of the sacrament, or prancing around in front of the people, pretending to be priests and priestesses?