Quick question on G.I.R.M

[St.Sebastian]

I have been reading the General Instruction of the Roman Missal to get caught up on the changes in the Church since I came back into full communion about a year ago. I read something that struck me regarding extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion. #162 of the G.I.R.M. states:

These ministers should not approach the altar before the priest has received Communion, and they are always to receive from the hands of the priest celebrant the vessel containing either species of the Most Holy Eucharist for distribution to the faithful.

In our parish all the extraordinary ministers come up and stand around the priest before the Agnus Dei. I also noticed that Father will give a chalice with the sacred blood to an extraordinary minister and then that extraordinary minister will provide same to other extraordinary ministers, who then distribute that species to the congregation. It appears they are distributing without being directly deputed by the priest.

I asked Father about this (he is new to parish succeeding the founding pastor of this parish) and he acknowledged this practice was not quite right, but that he was having to move slowly for changes like this and other issues that are not quite right. I got the impression he is hitting resistance from parish leadership who like things just the way they are because they built the church (if you know what I mean) so I didn’t press the issue, but I would like to get (name removed by moderator)ut on whether this is a little deal or big deal in terms of violations of GIRM.

 

[John_Higgins]

St. Sebastian:

containing either species of the Most Holy Eucharist for distribution to the faithful.

That’s the salient part of this. We receive the Species we distribute from the priest. We can receive the Other from any of the ministers.

John

 

[markadm]

John: the question is not whether or not one can received from EMHCs. It is when they should approach the Altar. There has been indication (but I cannot find the reference; I thought it was in Redemptionis Sacramentum) that the Agnus Dei is simply too early.

 

[St.Sebastian]

John: the question is not whether or not one can received from EMHCs. It is when they should approach the Altar. There has been indication (but I cannot find the reference; I thought it was in Redemptionis Sacramentum) that the Agnus Dei is simply too early.

Thanks, and I would love to know if there is a reference from the Vatican on this issue, but your thought reminds me that American courts use a term called “plain language reading.” The plain language reading of 162 is what it is: "These ministers should not approach the altar before the priest has received Communion. . . " After reading this for the first time, it jumped out at me and it was obvious that all extraordinary ministers were standing around the altar (not kneeling like the rest of the congregation) before the Father receives communion. Since I discovered this rubric, It now imparts the impression to me that they (the EMHC) are making themselves a part of this priestly duty (some of them stand beside the deacon) rather than observers of it. And, maybe that is the reason the rubric exists in the first place?

I am reminded of three words Father John Corapi uses, which he says will guarantee filled pews every Sunday: “Do It Right!”

 

[markadm]

St Sebastian: I’m not an expert on the issue, but another reason I think they’re going up too early is that I’ve heard from another friend (who doesn’t normally get these things wrong, because she references things) that no-one else is to be “on the altar” at the consecration. Waiting until after the fraction makes sense then, because it marks a juncture between the canon and the communion rite.