Questions on becoming an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion

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Sir_Knight

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Can someone point me to offical church guidelines on the steps / procedures for becoming an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion? I’m a bit concerned that the process that my parish followed may nt be in keeping with church teching as it seemed very simple and informal.

Also, can someone provide official church documentation supporting the position that Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion can not give blessings to people nor use the host to bless people since I understand that is reserved for ordained priests only.

I have a meeting this week with my pastor regarding some ‘concerns’ that I have about my role as a newly appointed Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion and I want to make sure that I know what I am talking about. Thank you in advance.
 
Hi Sir Knight,

I believe you’re right. EMHC’s cannot and should not give ‘blessings’ and here’s a link to the Ask Father Question box for just such a question. It’s not actual Church documentation, but it’s a start.

oldforum.catholic.org/discussion/messages/41/844482.html

As an EMHC, I’ve had the same question and concern as you, and I did ask my pastor about giving ‘blessings’ to the non-communicant. He said just to do it. Right or wrong, he’s still my priest, so I obey.

I hope this helps.
 
Sir Knight:
Also, can someone provide official church documentation supporting the position that Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion can not give blessings to people nor use the host to bless people since I understand that is reserved for ordained priests only.
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The ‘Book of Blessings’ lists what blessings each role in the Church can perform.

Generally, of the laity, Parents may bless their own children (as they partake directly of the Fatherhood of God to their children)

Spouses may bless each other (in their role as Ministers of the Sacrament of Marriage to each other), and may perform the blessing over meals.

As far as using the Host to give a blessing, that is a Benediction as is strictly reserved to Priests and Deacons.
 
Indeed, nobody should obey a superior when he tells you to do something that you know you are not allowed to do.
 
As for the proper procedure for become an EMHC that is determined on a parish by parish, diocese by diocese level. Technically all that has to be done to become an EMHC is a priest says, “I would like you to serve as an EMHC at this Mass.”

Hopefully your parish has a more formal procedure, including training in the specifics of your parish and the procedures to handle all circumstances.

Most dioceses have a diocese level training to be an EMHC. I took the course in the Washingon Archdiocese and it was a very informative course.

As for doing things that are not appropriate, I know I am going to be reamed on here for this but it depends on what the issue is. If it is a “minor” issue (i.e. does not affect the validity of the Mass or not a major violation) you should abide by the directions of the pastor during the immediate Mass and then bring it up with him at a later time and if something is not done about it with the Bishop. If it is a “major” issue then a) make sure you know the proper procedure as defined in RS or other major document b) follow that procedure and then take it up with the Pastor.

I am not currently an active EMHC since I stepped down due to my toddler, but I was one for several years. In that time I dealt with a pastor that was very liberal and then one that wasn’t. The first pastor allowed EMHCs to bless but I knew it wasn’t appropriate so when someone came to me for a blessing during the normal Mass I didn’t do a thing. That is the same thing I see the EMHCs do at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception when people that don’t know better come forward.
 
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luangwa:
Indeed, nobody should obey a superior when he tells you to do something that you know you are not allowed to do.
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And how do you know that something is not allowed?
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Marauder:
Hopefully your parish has a more formal procedure, including training in the specifics of your parish and the procedures to handle all circumstances.
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The parish nun gave me a sheet of paper with prayers on it which she instructed me to memorize. I was then taken to one of the priests who raised his hands over me and said some prayers over me in Latin. They then shook my hand, thanked me for helping out and congratulated me on becoming an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion.
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Marauder:
If it is a “major” issue then a) make sure you know the proper procedure as defined in RS or other major document b) follow that procedure and then take it up with the Pastor.
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That’s what I’m asking – what are the proper procedures and where are they documented? I’m meeting with the Msgr tomorrow to discuss my concerns and I would to reference offical sources during our discussion.
 
Sir Knight:
That’s what I’m asking – what are the proper procedures and where are they documented? I’m meeting with the Msgr tomorrow to discuss my concerns and I would to reference offical sources during our discussion.
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The primary sources for information on what is permitted and what is not permitted in regards to the Eucharist and EMHCs is contained in Redemptionis Sacrementum. The following link will take you to the complete document:
usccb.org/liturgy/documents/instructioneng.shtml

The other document is the General Instruction for the Roman Missal
usccb.org/liturgy/current/revmissalisromanien.shtml

They are big documents but you can search for information on EMHCs and information on handling of the Eucharist.

As for documentation on EMHCs doing blessings, I don’t have a copy of the book of blessings, someone else on here may, but EMHCs are only allowed to do blessing that are reserved to lay people. They are not allowed to do a blessing that is reserved to a priest and/or deacons. There are a few places that EMHCs are allowed to be used for blessing type stuff, but they are few and far between. An example is that an EMHC is allowed to do the distribution of ashes on Ash Wednesday. EMHCs are also allowed to do the blessing of throats on the feast of St. Blaise.

One last point on this is that nowhere does RS or GIRM say that a EMHC is supposed to say anything else to the communicant other then “The Body of Christ” or the “The Blood of Christ”. Anything more, other then in saying things during the role of taking the Eucharist to the Sick is above and beyond the scope of the position.

Added - Here are two links where a priest answers the question on whether EMHCs are supposed to be blessing and one from a Catholic Answers apologist:
oldforum.catholic.org/discussion/messages/41/802353.html?1087849565

oldforum.catholic.org/discussion/messages/41/844482.html

forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=72071
 
So a child (or adult for that matter) comes up to an EMHC with arms crossed. What do you do? say no I can’t - go and join the priest’s queue?

Surely anyone can give another person a simple blessing.

Is is legitimate to say “God bless you” when someone sneezes?
 
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steve99:
So a child (or adult for that matter) comes up to an EMHC with arms crossed. What do you do? say no I can’t - go and join the priest’s queue?

Surely anyone can give another person a simple blessing.

Is is legitimate to say “God bless you” when someone sneezes?
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The problem here is trying to blur the lines between the duties of a priest and the duties of a lay person.

A lay person is allowed to say “God Bless You”, a lay person is not supposed to say “May God bless you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit” while making the sign of the cross over the person’s head during Mass.

A priest in one of the links I later added above says it best.
I think in that moment, if I were you I would do nothing and just wait for them to move along. This is another reason why things are somewhat complicated both by the odd custom of blessing people at Communion time and having many EMHC’s. I suppose at the very most you might say “God bless you” without making any gesture whatsoever.
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A priest in one of the links I later added above says it best.
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I think in that moment, if I were you I would do nothing and just wait for them to move along. This is another reason why things are somewhat complicated both by the odd custom of blessing people at Communion time and having many EMHC’s. I suppose at the very most you might say “God bless you” without making any gesture whatsoever.
Code: 
    Just wait until they move along!! What's this a course in how to cause maximum ebarassment? Doesn't sound a very loving response to me.
What is wrong with just stretching out your hand (not making a sign of the cross) and saying “Bless you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”?
 
Marauder, Thank you for the links. I’ve got a lot of reading to do before tomorrow.
 
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steve99:
What is wrong with just stretching out your hand (not making a sign of the cross) and saying “Bless you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”?
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Because it gives a FALSE impression that they are receiving a special when in reality they are not.
 
There is a world of difference between the blessing of a Priest and the blessing of a layperson.
A Priest acts in Persona Christi and is an instrument for Christ.
A layperson is merely an assistant without any Priestly powers.
That is why the Priest can provide holy water and not the layperson.

But the issue is what to do if you are a lay minister put on the spot by someone who comes up for a blessing.
You can’t pretend to be a Priest, that’s for sure.
Why would anyone want to go up to get a blessing from a layperson during distribution anyway? Odd.
They would get more out of going to the holy water font and signing themselves.
 
I thin it happens because that’s the line you end up in - you don’t happen to have a Priest giving you Communion, and you want a blessing.

How about “God, please bless this person in the name of…”? Any of us can say that any time…
 
“I thin it happens because that’s the line you end up in - you don’t happen to have a Priest giving you Communion, and you want a blessing.”

Then it would be best to wait until you can get into the Priest’s line. I do that sometimes when extraordinary ministers are used unnecessarily e.g. when there are only about 40 people at Mass, and my conscience tells me not to go up to the EM for communion because he should not be there.
People should be told about the distinction between the blessing of a Priest and that of a layperson and there would not be this problem.
 
How about blessing in the name of Abraham? "“I will bless you and make your name so famous that it will be used as a blessing” (Gen 12:2)
 
Our EMHC’s place their hand on the child’s shoulder or head and say ‘God bless you!’. Is that okay?

I personally don’t like this whole concept and it sounds like it continues to grow throughout the country, but at least in our parish it seems to be handled in a reasonable manner if we’re going to do it. What do you think?
 
I have a question. I tried to ask an apologist twice but it didnt go through either time, so I’ll try here. Hope you don’t mine. Ok I’m a E.M.H.C. I have one guy that I take the Lord to at 12:00P.M. I pick up the Host from 9:00A.M.Mass which leaves 2 hours between. Now I know a person can receive an idulgence at Eucharistic Adoration by praying the rosary in front of the exposed sacrement. Can a idulgence be received by praying in front of the exposed sacrement at home? I haven’t done this but the thought has crossed my mind.
 
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