What is an extraordinary minister?

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RonWI

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What is an “extraordinary minister”?

Who can be one?

What does one do?

What is the basis of the position?
 
What is an “extraordinary minister”?A lay person commisioned by a priest to distribute Holy Communion. They are extraordinary because if we did not have a priest shortage we could do without them.
 
Racer X:
What is an “extraordinary minister”?A lay person commisioned by a priest to distribute Holy Communion. They are extraordinary because if we did not have a priest shortage we could do without them.
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What does “commissioned” mean? How is it different that “ordained”?

I assume anyone who is confirmed can be commissioned?

What is the basis for the priest “subcontracting out*” part of his calling?
  • I use this term solely as it is descriptive, not in a derogatory way at all.
 
I’m not sure of the official answers here, but basically commissioned means they have permission because they have received the proper instruction in handling of the sacrament. But strictly, anyone could do it if the situation required it.

Reasons for subcontracting
  1. Bringing communion to those who cannot attend Mass, e.g., the sick, convicts. Parish priests are just too busy to go everywhere personally.
  2. Too many people at Mass and only one priest. At my parish there will be 500-1000 at a single Mass.
  3. Occasionally there are times when there is NO priest around and a lay-led communion service is the proper substitute for Mass.
A communion service is basically the same as a Mass using the Blessed Sacrament from a previous Mass and skipping the Offering/Eucharistic Prayer (everything between the Intercessions and the Our Father).
 
I take it, then, that the thinking is that anyone can distribute the elements as long as they (the elements) are first consecrated by a priest.

What prohibits laity from taking a whole bottle of wine and a box of waffers (which have been consecrated) home, and having self-served communion daily? Why would this be a bad thing? If you are going on a vacation where there is no church, wouldn’t this be a good thing?
 
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RonWI:
I take it, then, that the thinking is that anyone can distribute the elements as long as they (the elements) are first consecrated by a priest.

What prohibits laity from taking a whole bottle of wine and a box of waffers (which have been consecrated) home, and having self-served communion daily? Why would this be a bad thing? If you are going on a vacation where there is no church, wouldn’t this be a good thing?
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An extraordinary minister of Holy Communion should be someone who has completed the Sacraments of Initiation, which are Baptism, Communion and Confirmation (reception of the Sacrament of Penance is mandatory before receiving Communion for the first time).
You are correct that the extraordinary minister only distributes the sacrament. An extraordinary minister doesn’t have the power to confer any sacrament except Baptism, which anyone can confer.
The wine isn’t consecrated in a bottle but rather in a chalice. Once it becomes the Precious Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, it cannot be poured into another container. It must be consumed completely by the priest or the ministers assisting him, whether they be ordinary or extraordinary. A priest may take the Precious Blood to someone who cannot receive the sacred host when taking Communion to the sick. I don’t believe an extraordinary minister can take the Precious Blood to the sick, only the sacred host, which contains the body, blood, soul, and divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Priests can and do designate extraordinary ministers to take Communion to the sick, so it is possible for someone to receive Holy Communion in their home. The same can be done if someone is on vacation, but self Communion is not allowed unless one is a bishop or priest. There should be someone distributing Holy Communion to others. If everyone wants to partake in Holy Communion, normally there would be more than one person designated as an extraordinary minister. However, the number of hosts taken is regulated, so I’m not sure if someone could take as many hosts as he pleases to distribute Holy Communion everyday.
I know my answer is lengthy and you probably have more questions, but I hope this helps, especially since you’re from Wisconsin! GO PACK GO!
 
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