Questions about a young Emcee (acolyte)

[Tedster]

Our son has been an acolyte for several years (he is currently 16 years old) and a sacristan for the past six months. He has now been asked to assume the duties of an emcee at Mass. I had no knowledge of the emcee’s role at Mass until our parish Priest introduced the role a couple of years ago. One role that the emcee performs, however, is to serve as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion when there are not enough EMHC’s available (which is rare). Since this sometimes happens, he would need to be mandated as an EMHC.

I know that he can be occasionaly used in times of need per Canon Law 230:

Canon Law 230 #3
3. When the need of the Church warrants it and ministers are lacking, lay persons, even if they are not lectors or acolytes, can also supply certain of their duties, namely, to exercise the ministry of the word, to preside offer liturgical prayers, to confer baptism, and to distribute Holy Communion, according to the prescripts of the law.

As a 16 year old (baptised & confirmed), can he be mandated as an EMHC?

 

[T.A.Stobie_SFO]

Any confirmed Catholic can be authorized by the Bishop as a EMHC.

Normally the Master of Ceremonies (M.C.) (as a server) is responsible for coordinating the effort among the other server for the mass. Who does what, making sure that things are done at the proper time, and making sure that everything is where it belongs.

 

[Tedster]

T.A.Stobie:

Normally the Master of Ceremonies (M.C.) (as a server) is responsible for coordinating the effort among the other server for the mass. Who does what, making sure that things are done at the proper time, and making sure that everything is where it belongs.

That’s what our MC does… good to know that’s OK! Thanks for the answer Thomas! God Bless.

 

[Panis_Angelicas]

If your son is installed as an acolyte, (and not just an altar server) then he should be distributing Holy Communion before the lay Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion anyway.

(And, of course, we all know that the EMHCs are only to be used in extraordinary cases, not habitally.)

Pax Christi. <><

 

[PioMagnus]

As the above poster mentioned, and Acolyte would be ahead of the EME’s in distributing Holy Communion.

However, the term “acolyte” is rarely used in it’s official sense anymore.

An Acolyte is an ordained position (a minor order), whereas the common use of the word is used for an altar server.

In Him, through her,
Pio Magnus

 

[Tedster]

Panis Angelicas:

If your son is installed as an acolyte, (and not just an altar server) then he should be distributing Holy Communion before the lay Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion anyway.

(And, of course, we all know that the EMHCs are only to be used in extraordinary cases, not habitally.)

Your response leads me to another question then. He HAS NOT been formally installed as an acolyte. Our altar servers only recieve training from the lay person in charge of this ministry. Is there a formal initiation to become an acolyte (and M.C.)?

PioMagnus’ quote leads me to believe there is. Can you explain?

PioMagnus:

An Acolyte is an ordained position (a minor order), whereas the common use of the word is used for an altar server.

In Christ our King

Ted

 

[PioMagnus]

I have been looking into this (Minor Order of Acolyte) as of late, I don’t know much about it, but I will tell you the little bit I do know.

An Acolyte is pretty much an altar server with a few exceptions…An Acolyte is 1) ordained, 2) is a Eucharistic Minister (as opposed to Extraordinary Eucharistic Minister). 3) takes communion to the shut in, prisoners, and the ill.

The job of the Acolyte as far as during the Liturgy goes is, I believe with specific respect to candles, placing Eucharistic Vessels, Distributing communion…

Unfortunatly, I have been unable to find much info on it, and I have been looking rather hard lately.

I have asked in another forum around here, hoping to get some information.

In Him, through her,
Pio Magnus