What is an Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist

[sistermouse]

I was just reading a question in reguards to an Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist and I was just wondering what it is. I left my faith in 1972 and just returned 10/17/08. This is something that either they didn’t have in my parish, or was introduced in my absence. They say the only dumb question is one unasked…so please be patient, I have plenty more!!

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

I was just reading a question in reguards to an Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist and I was just wondering what it is. I left my faith in 1972 and just returned 10/17/08. This is something that either they didn’t have in my parish, or was introduced in my absence. They say the only dumb question is one unasked…so please be patient, I have plenty more!!

It’s actually an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion. These are Lay persons trained to help with the distribution of Holy Communion when there are not enough Ordinary Ministers available.

 

[buffalo]

It’s actually an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion. These are Lay persons trained to help with the distribution of Holy Communion when there are not enough Ordinary Ministers available.

Reserved for extraordinary cases, ie when there are way too many Communicants for the Ordinaries to handle. Usually “deputized” for that specific occasion.

 

[PatrickJT914]

I’m an EMHC for my parish. Yes in some instances they are needed in a pinch to serve the Mass, but only the trained and known EMHC’s that attend their particular Masses. Either they see a need before Father mentions or motions for them. Sometimes, it has happened when a formally trained EMHC is not in attendance (Holidays for example.) So, an untrained person who is observant and know what needs to be done can also work.

As I said EMHC’s are formally trained. In my Archdiocese, The Office of Worship conducts training in liturgical ministries (Cantor, Lector, Usher, EMHC’s, Liturgical spirituality, Altar Servers, etc.) It usually lasts all day for most of the ministries. Then usually the parish priest of each particular parish that sends these people, has a commissioning rite within a normal Mass. Since the (Arch) Bishop has the power and authority to ordain priests the priests in return can extend his hands and give them a blessing and a sending forth to serve and assist him and the parish. Nothing more, nothing less.

 

[Chatter163]

Permission was given for EM’s in 1973, so you just missed it.

 

[benedictgal]

Welcome to CAF, and, more importantly, welcome back home!

Here is some clarification. As Brother Rich noted, the correct term is Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion. The ordinary ministers of the Eucharist are the bishop and the priest because only they can confect the Sacrament through the Consecration (that happens within the Mass). The ordinary ministers of Holy Communion are the bishop, priest and deacon. The deacon is one of the ordinary ministers of Holy Communion by virtue of his ordination; however, he is not a minister of the Eucharist because he cannot confect the sacrament.

The Church, under certain circumstances, allows for Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion. As others have indicated, these are lay faithful (can include religious men and women) who have been commissioned for this specific function. All they are permitted to do is to assist in the distribution of Holy Communion (under both species). They are not to do anything else (i.e. impart “blessings” in lieu of distributing Holy Communion or any other function). Furthermore, serving as an EMHC is not permanent. It was never meant to be.

 

[PatrickJT914]

Also let us not forget, the EMHC’s bring Holy Communion to the sick, elderly, shut-ins and caregivers. Be it in their places of residence, hospitals, nursing homes etc. The EMHC’s will usually do a little prayer service before distributing the Host to the communicant(s). This prayer service includes a scripture reading, opening prayer, the Our Father, the Lamb of God, Lord I’m not worthy and a few other elements. It’s not a mini-Mass. Also candles could be used.

Other duties, at least in my parish is assisting with the distribution of ashes on Ash Wednesday. And in the absence of altar servers EMHC’s perform those duties as well. In my parish we have only one live-in priest (our pastor) he does all 11 weekend
Masses. SOMETIMES he gets help from one or two priests. We do have an older Franciscian priest that works at the parish. (Our pastor is 60 and he is the young one.) So, you see the EMHC’s are a vital importance to the smooth running of the Liturgy, in my experience. In fact it could be a reality that as the older priests start to retire from full time ministry and die off. And there are not enough younger priests replacing them. That the parishes will either have to do without Mass or an EMHC doing a communion service with previously consecrated Hosts. There are books and guidelines on priestless parishes.

 

[Aramis]

The term Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion was mandated by HH Benedict XVI, in Redemptoris Sacramentum, para 154.

1. The Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion

[154.] As has already been recalled, “the only minister who can confect the Sacrament of the Eucharist in persona Christi is a validly ordained Priest”.[254] Hence the name “minister of the Eucharist” belongs properly to the Priest alone. Moreover, also by reason of their sacred Ordination, the ordinary ministers of Holy Communion are the Bishop, the Priest and the Deacon,[255] to whom it belongs therefore to administer Holy Communion to the lay members of Christ’s faithful during the celebration of Mass. In this way their ministerial office in the Church is fully and accurately brought to light, and the sign value of the Sacrament is made complete.

 

[benedictgal]

The term Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion was mandated by HH Benedict XVI, in Redemptoris Sacramentum, para 154.

1. The Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion

[154.] As has already been recalled, “the only minister who can confect the Sacrament of the Eucharist in persona Christi is a validly ordained Priest”.[254] Hence the name “minister of the Eucharist” belongs properly to the Priest alone. Moreover, also by reason of their sacred Ordination, the ordinary ministers of Holy Communion are the Bishop, the Priest and the Deacon,[255] to whom it belongs therefore to administer Holy Communion to the lay members of Christ’s faithful during the celebration of Mass. In this way their ministerial office in the Church is fully and accurately brought to light, and the sign value of the Sacrament is made complete.

The mandate was actually from Pope John Paul II, although, as the former Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, Pope Benedict XVI had a hand in the writing of this document and another document that was issued in 1997 by the Congregation for Clergy, called On Certain Questions Regarding the Collaboration of the Non-Ordained Faithful in the Sacred Ministry of the Priest. Here is what this document initially has to say:

§ 3. The non-ordained faithful may be generically designated “extraordinary ministers” when deputed by competent authority to discharge, solely by way of supply, those offices mentioned in Canon 230, § 3(56) and in Canons 943 and 1112. Naturally, the concrete term may be applied to those to whom functions are canonically entrusted e.g. catechists, acolytes, lectors etc.

Here is the dirrect reference:

§ 1. The canonical discipline concerning extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion must be correctly applied so as to avoid generating confusion. The same discipline establishes that the ordinary minister of Holy Communion is the Bishop, the Priest and the the Deacon.(96) Extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion are those instituted as acolytes and the faithful so deputed in accordance with Canon 230, § 3.(97)

It, too, as I indicated earlier, was also promulgated by Pope John Paul II because there were already issues concerning the use of EMHCs and what they were, in fact, supposed to do.

Regarding the distribution of ashes, it is not restricted to EMHCs, as, when the crowds are huge, even those who proclaim the readings have been drafted into service in order to assist.

 

[Newbie2]

We use the term EME in our parish and are not likely to change. While technically “wrong”, everyone knows what it means and what their duties are and are not, at least those who participate.

And our priest encourages us to give blessings.

 

[benedictgal]

We use the term EME in our parish and are not likely to change. While technically “wrong”, everyone knows what it means and what their duties are and are not, at least those who participate.

And our priest encourages us to give blessings.

Our parish and the Cathedral have now, at my suggestion (and insistence) begun using the correct terminoology. The Church requires that these terms be used, as evidenced in the documents.

As for the blessing, the Cathedral, to my knowledge will no longer do this. I showed the administrator a copy of the letter and he agreed. My PV also does not bless in lieu of distributing Holy Communion.

 

[PatrickJT914]

HI Benedictgal,

Yes others are drafted to distribute ashes as well. That has happened in my parish. I only mentioned just the EMHC’s because that’s what the thread originally started on. Thank you for reminding us.

 

[sistermouse]

I just wanted to say Thank You to all who answered!!:thankyou:

 

[PatrickJT914]

You’re welcome!

 

[benedictgal]

colliric:

I agree, If only an ordained priest was allowed to distribute the eucharist, it would take too Long and slow down the Mass service totally. This should not be the case. I am an altar server in my church and our consistent shortage of Alter server numbers(there are only 2 regulars inc myself) tends to dictate that EME’s are totally nessecery to keep the mass going without significantly slowing it down.

The heiracy normally and should go:
Priest
Altar Server
EME

Although EMEs are sometimes prefered over Altar Servers for obvious reasons of not tiring the Server out, or because a Server is still in training. The Priest and altar servers should be the purifiers.

Just for clarification’s sake, I would suggest that we use the correct terminology, Extraordinary Minister of HolyCommunion. You probably mean that, but, the Church does ask us to get the terminology right.

Now, regarding your point, just how many people go to receive Holy Conmunion in your parish. Redemptionis Sacrametum lays down some very specific parameters:

[156.] This function is to be understood strictly according to the name by which it is known, that is to say, that of extraordinary minister of Holy Communion, and not “special minister of Holy Communion” nor “extraordinary minister of the Eucharist” nor “special minister of the Eucharist”, by which names the meaning of this function is unnecessarily and improperly broadened.

[157.] If there is usually present a sufficient number of sacred ministers for the distribution of Holy Communion, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion may not be appointed. Indeed, in such circumstances, those who may have already been appointed to this ministry should not exercise it. The practice of those Priests is reprobated who, even though present at the celebration, abstain from distributing Communion and hand this function over to laypersons.258

[158.] Indeed, the extraordinary minister of Holy Communion may administer Communion only when the Priest and Deacon are lacking, when the Priest is prevented by weakness or advanced age or some other genuine reason, or when the number of faithful coming to Communion is so great that the very celebration of Mass would be unduly prolonged.259 This***, however, is to be understood in such a way that a brief prolongation, considering the circumstances and culture of the place, is not at all a sufficient reason.***

Thus, even if these folks are on the schedule, if their usage is not warranted, they should not go up to assist.

In a previous post you noted that:

agree with this, however I also consider that If we go to slow the laypeople can sometimes become humanely bored(Like in a long school lesson of Maths!) and their mind can stray from where they are at and what they are doing, and so for more focused worship, there needs to be balance struck.

With all due respect, this is a sad statement. What is needed, as I see it, is sound catechesis. Perhaps a word within the homily of proper disposition after receiving Holy Communion or even catechesis by way of the parish bulletin could help. How can one be bored, if he believes that he has just received the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of the Living God? This is a symptom of a greater problem and quite a sad situation.

 

[colliric]

Just for clarification’s sake, I would suggest that we use the correct terminology, Extraordinary Minister of HolyCommunion. You probably mean that, but, the Church does ask us to get the terminology right.

Now, regarding your point, just how many people go to receive Holy Conmunion in your parish. Redemptionis Sacrametum lays down some very specific parameters:

The Church is almost always full at both Sunday mass services(and that includes “Standing Room”, roughly 250 people attend) at 10AM and 8PM because it is in Melbourne’s CBD. As Opposed to the other Catholic Churches in or near the CBD(St Francis, and St Patricks Cathedral), our Church at St Augustines only has one parish priest and 2 mass services so it’s quite demanding on Sunday(and our 8PM service is the Last avalible Sunday Mass in Melbourne). It’s also melbourne CBDs only Charismatic Parish.

The Church is Heritage Listed(All 3 catholic churches are in our City) so no real significant changes to the Archetecture to accomodate more parishoners can be made without Local Council Approval as far as I recall(Which is a wonderful thing actually because it’s a great medieval styled Church). Our Land is so limited that our Parish Office is in the Building next door, currently owned by the good people at Stella Maris. And our priest has to rent an Apartment!

 

[benedictgal]

The Church is almost always full at both Sunday mass services(and that includes “Standing Room”, roughly 250 people attend) at 10AM and 8PM because it is in Melbourne’s CBD. As Opposed to the other Catholic Churches in or near the CBD(St Francis, and St Patricks Cathedral), our Church at St Augustines only has one parish priest and 2 mass services so it’s quite demanding on Sunday(and our 8PM service is the Last avalible Sunday Mass in Melbourne). It’s also melbourne CBDs only Charismatic Parish.

The Church is Heritage Listed(All 3 catholic churches are in our City) so no real significant changes to the Archetecture to accomodate more parishoners can be made without Local Council Approval as far as I recall. Our Land is so limited that our Parish Office is in the Building next door, currently owned by the good people at Stella Maris. And our priest has to rent an Apartment!

With all due respect, 250 members of the faithful is not a very large community. In fact, at our Cathedral, our rector had five weekend Masses (with one peaking at 700). Granted, we did have about seven EMHCs, but, they assisted with the Precious Blood while the rector the deacon and one EMHC assisted with the Body of Christ. Our Cathedral is a building of historical significance.

When the rectory was gutted by a fire many years ago, the rector had to live in a rent-free house across town from the Cathedral.

Now, in our parish, we also have five weekend Masses; however, the most attended are the 11AM and the 1PM. Thees top out at about 300 apiece, with an overflow. However, the pastor/parochial vicar manage rather well.

We only use one EMHC to assist the priest with the distribution of the Body of Christ. If there are enough EMHCs available at these Masses, then the Precious Blood is distributed.

What I am trying to say is that based on my experience down here (and most of the folks in both parishes and in most of the Masses–because I have been to all of them at some point) do receive Holy Communion. Hence, about 250 members of the faithful during Mass is not so hard a number to handle for the priest and an EMHC. Of course, if there is a deacon present, then the EMHC should probably not be used, unless they are assisting with the distribution of the Precious Blood.

 

[colliric]

Thus, even if these folks are on the schedule, if their usage is not warranted, they should not go up to assist.

In a previous post you noted that:

With all due respect, this is a sad statement. What is needed, as I see it, is sound catechesis. Perhaps a word within the homily of proper disposition after receiving Holy Communion or even catechesis by way of the parish bulletin could help. How can one be bored, if he believes that he has just received the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of the Living God? This is a symptom of a greater problem and quite a sad situation.

Their usage is very very warranted given that we are in the CBD.

I actually agree with your second statement. Catechesis on this needs to occur strongly. I believe in balancing the Mass service. In my parish it would be out of balance if there was no EMHCs because of the regularily high attendance.

I also need to point out that in our Archdiocese the Blood must be administered compulsivly on a Sunday(but not nessecerily recieved), and Our Church rule, requested by the Priest, is that we always have 5 ministers(4 administering the Chalice, 1 administering the Body)…

 

[benedictgal]

Their usage is very very warranted given that we are in the CBD.

I actually agree with your second statement. Catechesis on this needs to occur strongly. I believe in balancing the Mass service. In my parish it would be out of balance if there was no EMHCs because of the regularily high attendance.

However, 250 is not a very high attendance. Surely, the priest and deacon (if you have one) could manage the distribution of the Body of Christ. If EMHCs are to be used, then have them assist with the distribution of the Precious Blood.

What is a CBD?

 

[colliric]

However, 250 is not a very high attendance. Surely, the priest and deacon (if you have one) could manage the distribution of the Body of Christ. If EMHCs are to be used, then have them assist with the distribution of the Precious Blood.

What is a CBD?

We Had a deacon, but he has now been ordained(And celebrates Night Mass on Sunday at our church sometimes).

And yes EMHCs deal only with the Blood(unless there are no Altar Servers). The Altar Server will assist in issuing the Body.

And the Precious Blood is Always distributed in our Church, in melbourne’s Archdiocese it is actually Compulsory(Correct me If i’m wrong). This is another factor in why we have to use EMHCs at our Church.It is of cause not compulsory for the laity to accept.