C
CarmeliteGirl25
Guest
No, you didnât. I just get flustered with the terminology.Nothing to forgive! I took no offense nor, I hope, offered any.
Paul
Plus, Iâm sleepy. God bless! 
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Plus, Iâm sleepy. God bless!
J
japhy
Guest
For those who are flustered with the terminology, let me clear it up for you.
The Eucharist âis at one and the same time a Sacrifice-Sacrament, a Communion-Sacrament, and a Presence-Sacramentâ (Redemptor Hominis 20). It has its own ordinary and extraordinary ministers in these three capacities.
As regards the sacrifice aspect (properly called the Eucharist), the ordinary minister is a bishop or priest; there is no extraordinary minister of the Eucharist (except, perhaps, a priest who should not celebrate the sacrament but who must in some dire circumstance). Thus, the term âEucharistic ministerâ is reserved to bishops and priests. There is no such thing as a âlay Eucharistic ministerâ, because a Eucharistic minister must be an ordained priest or bishop.
As regards the communion aspect (properly called Holy Communion), the ordinary minister is a bishop, priest, or deacon; the extraordinary minister is an acolyte; in the absence of the necessary number of ordinary ministers and acolytes, additional extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion may be designated. The term âminister of Holy Communionâ is used for the person who distributes Holy Communion to someone: âordinary minister of Holy Communionâ is reserved to bishops, priests, and deacons; âextraordinary minister of Holy Communionâ is reserved to lawfully designated religious/lay people.
The title âextraordinary minister of Holy Communionâ is that title chosen by the Church to accurately and fully describe the role of the minister. They are not âadministering the Eucharistâ, which is done by the priest alone: he confects and offers the sacrifice to God the Father. They are administering Holy Communion, which is the reception of the consecrated species by the faithful. They are âextraordinaryâ because they are âoutside the ordinaryâ and are only to be used when there are not enough ordinary ministers available.
If dioceses and parishes explained this like I just have, maybe people would not be so confused and flustered and â dare I say (though not in all cases) â prideful. If you are an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion, pray for more ordinary ministers of Holy Communion (i.e. deacons, priests, and bishops) so that your services will no longer be required and so that the Church can continue to live and function in the world.
âNo more ordinary ministersâ doesnât mean âmore extraordinary ministersâ. It means âno more ministryâ⌠that is, âno more Eucharistâ.
The Eucharist âis at one and the same time a Sacrifice-Sacrament, a Communion-Sacrament, and a Presence-Sacramentâ (Redemptor Hominis 20). It has its own ordinary and extraordinary ministers in these three capacities.
As regards the sacrifice aspect (properly called the Eucharist), the ordinary minister is a bishop or priest; there is no extraordinary minister of the Eucharist (except, perhaps, a priest who should not celebrate the sacrament but who must in some dire circumstance). Thus, the term âEucharistic ministerâ is reserved to bishops and priests. There is no such thing as a âlay Eucharistic ministerâ, because a Eucharistic minister must be an ordained priest or bishop.
As regards the communion aspect (properly called Holy Communion), the ordinary minister is a bishop, priest, or deacon; the extraordinary minister is an acolyte; in the absence of the necessary number of ordinary ministers and acolytes, additional extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion may be designated. The term âminister of Holy Communionâ is used for the person who distributes Holy Communion to someone: âordinary minister of Holy Communionâ is reserved to bishops, priests, and deacons; âextraordinary minister of Holy Communionâ is reserved to lawfully designated religious/lay people.
The title âextraordinary minister of Holy Communionâ is that title chosen by the Church to accurately and fully describe the role of the minister. They are not âadministering the Eucharistâ, which is done by the priest alone: he confects and offers the sacrifice to God the Father. They are administering Holy Communion, which is the reception of the consecrated species by the faithful. They are âextraordinaryâ because they are âoutside the ordinaryâ and are only to be used when there are not enough ordinary ministers available.
If dioceses and parishes explained this like I just have, maybe people would not be so confused and flustered and â dare I say (though not in all cases) â prideful. If you are an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion, pray for more ordinary ministers of Holy Communion (i.e. deacons, priests, and bishops) so that your services will no longer be required and so that the Church can continue to live and function in the world.
âNo more ordinary ministersâ doesnât mean âmore extraordinary ministersâ. It means âno more ministryâ⌠that is, âno more Eucharistâ.
B
benedictgal
Guest
We need to use the terminology that the Church has given us. The Church gave us the term Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion because the function is to be viewed as extraordinary.What in the world is so bad about saying LEM? Iâm a Lay Eucharistic Minister!
Please note what Redemptionis Sacramentum has to say:
The Church asks us to use this terminology because a lot of confusion has popped up over the course of several years. In fact, as late as 1997, when the Congregation for Clergy released Ecclesiae de Mysterio, the Holy See reiterated the call for the correct teminology to be used.
Z
zab
Guest
Shouldnât âextraordinaryâ be written with the lower case âeâ ?
B
Brendan
Guest
As was pointed out earlier, that is a contradiction in termsWhat in the world is so bad about saying LEM? Iâm a Lay Eucharistic Minister!
Every Sacrament has a minister.
In Baptism, the minister is the one who is pouring the water using the Trinitarian form.
In Reconcilliation, the minister is the validly ordained priest with faculties.
In Marriage, the minsiters are the couple themselves.
In Ordination, the minster is the validly ordained bishop.
In each case, the minsiter of the Sacrament is the one who confects ( or brings into being) the Sacrament.
In the Eucharist, the only possible minister is a validly ordained priest. No one else may confect the Sacrament, so no one else is a Minister of the Eucharist. Therefore there is no such thing as a âLay Eucharistic Ministerâ
However, the Eucharist is not just confected, but it is also Communicated ( brought to the community).
That is a different ministry from the confection. That is the role of the Minister of Holy Communion.
A bishop, priest or deacon does this as an Ordinary part of thier particular ministry. A layperson may do this in an Extraordinary fashion.
As a little tidbit of info, there IS such a person as an Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist. That would be a laicized priest. They still retain valid orders, and thus may confect the Eucharist, but may do so only in grave (Extraordinary) circumstances.
So if someone claimes to be an EME, they are, in fact, claiming to be a laicized priest
F
FLNonny
Guest
Some of you are really ugly people. Thank you for not hiding your true colors. I shall spend my time among those Catholics who love and honor God with their kindess and lack of ego in lieu of posting here. The judgements are far-reaching and unbelievable and it is probably from those who do little to help others; thatâs the way it usually is in life. The nastiest people have the biggest egos, the tiniest hearts and the least amount of knowledge about Christ and his teachings on compassion. God bless us all; we obviously need it from the looks of things on this board. Some of you have made me ashamed to call me a Catholic.
B
benedictgal
Guest
[edited]
There has been a lot of confusion about what the laity can and cannot do and a lot of misinterpretation of what the authoritative documents of the Holy See say. That is why Ecclesiae de Mysterio was written in 1997 by not one Curial office, but about seven, including the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, headed at that time by the former Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger.
Rather than be critical of those of us who are reminding the rest that the proper wording needs to be used, I would suggest that perhaps you might want to read these two documents:
Redemptionis Sacramentum (2004)
adoremus.org/RedemptionisSacramentum.html
Ecclesiae de Mysterio (1997)
adoremus.org/Instruction-lay-ministry.html
For my part, I believe that those of us who are extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion need to study what the authoritative documents of the Holy See say about just what it is we do and how we are to be called. This is not about the ego. This is about doing right by the Church.
There has been a lot of confusion about what the laity can and cannot do and a lot of misinterpretation of what the authoritative documents of the Holy See say. That is why Ecclesiae de Mysterio was written in 1997 by not one Curial office, but about seven, including the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, headed at that time by the former Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger.
Rather than be critical of those of us who are reminding the rest that the proper wording needs to be used, I would suggest that perhaps you might want to read these two documents:
Redemptionis Sacramentum (2004)
adoremus.org/RedemptionisSacramentum.html
Ecclesiae de Mysterio (1997)
adoremus.org/Instruction-lay-ministry.html
For my part, I believe that those of us who are extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion need to study what the authoritative documents of the Holy See say about just what it is we do and how we are to be called. This is not about the ego. This is about doing right by the Church.
L
Lepanto
Guest
Wow. This is the most judgmental thing Iâve ever read on this board.
3
30miller
Guest
Yesterday at Sunday Mass the âSenior High Ministryâ assisted at Mass - i.e. did readings, took collections, etc.
Then to my surprise, 2 of them went to the altar at the beginning of Communion and took their places as EMHCâs and proceeded - one to distribute The Body, and the other the Blood of Christ.
As background, our masses are served probably 90-95% by altar girls - I have no idea why there are no more boys serving, but thatâs the way it is. In particular, I have never seen these two boys serving the mass.
And now, they proceed directly to the âpositionâ in the Church of EMHC. (Not that we have any lack of adult EMHCâs - to my observation, we have too many already).
Has anyone else seen EMHCâs this young? Is this permitted according to the teachings of the Church?
Then to my surprise, 2 of them went to the altar at the beginning of Communion and took their places as EMHCâs and proceeded - one to distribute The Body, and the other the Blood of Christ.
As background, our masses are served probably 90-95% by altar girls - I have no idea why there are no more boys serving, but thatâs the way it is. In particular, I have never seen these two boys serving the mass.
And now, they proceed directly to the âpositionâ in the Church of EMHC. (Not that we have any lack of adult EMHCâs - to my observation, we have too many already).
Has anyone else seen EMHCâs this young? Is this permitted according to the teachings of the Church?
E
Eucharisted
Guest
In my old parish, we were called Eucharistic ministers, though I didnât know thatâs an improper term. The proper term is Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, becuase, since the ordinary minister (the priest) canât give Holy Communion to everyone, there is need for extra-ordinary ministers (servants).
As a EMHC, I had one night of training, one hour long, and I forgot most of what I learned, so I panicked when a Host fell on the floor, and I was not prepared for some of the clothing choices which girls had on. Though I did, by Godâs grace, try not to give into lust. It was too much, so I asked the priest to please remind people to wear appropriate clothes. But I guess no one listened, or something, because girls and guys still wore inappropriate clothes to Mass. So I quit being a EMHC.
As a EMHC, I had one night of training, one hour long, and I forgot most of what I learned, so I panicked when a Host fell on the floor, and I was not prepared for some of the clothing choices which girls had on. Though I did, by Godâs grace, try not to give into lust. It was too much, so I asked the priest to please remind people to wear appropriate clothes. But I guess no one listened, or something, because girls and guys still wore inappropriate clothes to Mass. So I quit being a EMHC.
T
thistle
Guest
You are NOT a Eucharistic Minister. The priest is the Eucharistic Minister.What in the world is so bad about saying LEM? Iâm a Lay Eucharistic Minister!
C
CarmeliteGirl25
Guest
I know the priest is the Eucharistic Minister! I said that beforeâŚ
C
CarmeliteGirl25
Guest
This is going to be my last reply to this thread because I donât like getting hung up in words and terminology.
I want to point out that I never said that I had a problem with the phrase: Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion or EMHC. Thatâs not the problem at all, I actually use that phrase sometimes. The problem is that I have had NUMEROUS people tell me I am not a Eucharistic Minister which I understand. I know that the Eucharistic Minister is a priest or a deacon. But let me confer this upon you to think about:
If you donât think I should use Lay Eucharistic Minister and that I should use Extraordinary Minister instead, then isnât it the same thing? Almost all of you have told me that Lay Eucharistic Minister is wrong because Lay and Eucharistic Ministers cancel each other out because of the usage of the term. But arenât priests and deacons called Ordinary Ministers as well? If I use extra-ordinary Minister of Holy Communion, Iâm still adding an extra word to the priest and deaconâs title, which, by your definition, cancels it out.
I am not asking this question for answers or to be a smart Alec. I am simply not concerned in the wording. In fact, there are times when I dislike my Lay Minister title because I donât feel worthy at all to bear it. Itâs a mixture of emotions for me because I feel blessed to serve Godâs people in the capacity He has asked me at this time, but I also dislike the controversy and abuse that other people heap on EMHCs. I have NEVER held myself in the position of priest or deacon.
This is the last I have to say on the matter. Thank you for listening and God bless.
I want to point out that I never said that I had a problem with the phrase: Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion or EMHC. Thatâs not the problem at all, I actually use that phrase sometimes. The problem is that I have had NUMEROUS people tell me I am not a Eucharistic Minister which I understand. I know that the Eucharistic Minister is a priest or a deacon. But let me confer this upon you to think about:
If you donât think I should use Lay Eucharistic Minister and that I should use Extraordinary Minister instead, then isnât it the same thing? Almost all of you have told me that Lay Eucharistic Minister is wrong because Lay and Eucharistic Ministers cancel each other out because of the usage of the term. But arenât priests and deacons called Ordinary Ministers as well? If I use extra-ordinary Minister of Holy Communion, Iâm still adding an extra word to the priest and deaconâs title, which, by your definition, cancels it out.
I am not asking this question for answers or to be a smart Alec. I am simply not concerned in the wording. In fact, there are times when I dislike my Lay Minister title because I donât feel worthy at all to bear it. Itâs a mixture of emotions for me because I feel blessed to serve Godâs people in the capacity He has asked me at this time, but I also dislike the controversy and abuse that other people heap on EMHCs. I have NEVER held myself in the position of priest or deacon.
This is the last I have to say on the matter. Thank you for listening and God bless.
J
japhy
Guest
In case you have stuck around to read this responseâŚ
âLayâ and âEucharistic ministerâ are contradictory, because the Eucharist can only be confected by an ordained man, who cannot be a layman. âExtraordinaryâŚâ and âordinary minister of Holy Communionâ are not, for the reason that Holy Communion can be administered by an ordained man or a layman.
E
Eucharisted
Guest
The Catholic Church uses terminology to teach and to say what something is. It is why we say Person in the mystery of the Trinity and not Hypostatis, and it is why we say Sacrament of the Eucharist and not Sacrament of Holy Communion.
âMinisterâ means servant. Priests, deacons, and bishops are ordained ministers of the Church, not ordinary ministers. Because they have been consecrated for Mass, they are the ones who distribute Holy Communion. Hence, they can technically be called ordinary ministers, since, ordinarly, they themselves give Holy Communion.
But when there are too many parishioners to serve at once, than there are need of layperson who serve (minister) Holy Communion to others, after having recieved Holy Communion themselves from the priest. They are not altar servers or priests but only laity who do their duty of helping the Church, of serving one another. Hence, in such an extraordinary sitatution, there is need for extra ministers. Hence, they are called Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion.
And the proper term is Holy Communion, for when we go up to receive Jesus, and consume Him under the appearance of bread and wine, we communicate; our union with the Lord is increased: on Earth and in Heaven. (For the more we recieve Him, the closer will we be united with Him in Heaven)
âMinisterâ means servant. Priests, deacons, and bishops are ordained ministers of the Church, not ordinary ministers. Because they have been consecrated for Mass, they are the ones who distribute Holy Communion. Hence, they can technically be called ordinary ministers, since, ordinarly, they themselves give Holy Communion.
But when there are too many parishioners to serve at once, than there are need of layperson who serve (minister) Holy Communion to others, after having recieved Holy Communion themselves from the priest. They are not altar servers or priests but only laity who do their duty of helping the Church, of serving one another. Hence, in such an extraordinary sitatution, there is need for extra ministers. Hence, they are called Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion.
And the proper term is Holy Communion, for when we go up to receive Jesus, and consume Him under the appearance of bread and wine, we communicate; our union with the Lord is increased: on Earth and in Heaven. (For the more we recieve Him, the closer will we be united with Him in Heaven)
S
Sheeniac
Guest
Let me add to the confusionâŚ
I am an EMHC, and do it only because it is requested by the pastor in my parish. I think we are not needed, and would be thrilled if the program was stopped.
My training was minimal. I did get a booklet from it. Our title is âSpecial Minister of Holy Communionâ.
Yep - something completely made up.
Rather than use the correct term and add in a sentence explaining it, someone decided to dumb it down.
Good grief.
I am an EMHC, and do it only because it is requested by the pastor in my parish. I think we are not needed, and would be thrilled if the program was stopped.
My training was minimal. I did get a booklet from it. Our title is âSpecial Minister of Holy Communionâ.
Yep - something completely made up.
Rather than use the correct term and add in a sentence explaining it, someone decided to dumb it down.
Good grief.
J
Jsmith17
Guest
On a side note: Does anyone know if there is a set number of parishioners required to used an EMHC?
J
Joannm
Guest
In our diocese you have to be 18 unless you are a senior in a Catholic HS, then you can be commissioned for the school but also be allowed to serve in your parish if the pastor approves. I know in a neighboring diocese, that a sophmore in a Catholic HS is allowed to be commissioned. He also goes to nursing homes with the school where he helps distribute communion.
I
I_Believe
Guest
Just what is the idea behind having the laity give Communion ?
To get out of Mass sooner ?
How about the fact that the EMHCâs are allowed to take the Blessed Sacrament out of the Sanctuary to distribute it ? How can this be justified ?
Why are EMHCâs used at weekday Masses where only 20 or 30 laity are present ? Again, so "we can hurry up and get out of here " ?
And the âBody of Christâ here, and then step over there for the âBlood of Christâ. Couldnât that give the impression that there is no Blood of Christ in the Body of Christ and vice versa ? I mean, sure, there are the two species Consecrated on the Altar, but doesnât the Co-Mingling of the two suffice ? Receiving both species, and the perceived âneedâ to do so, seems to diminish the act of Co-Mingling doesnât it ?
How does one convince his/herself or their worthiness to distribute the Blessed Sacrament in the first place ?
What a shock it would surely be for a Doctor of the Church to walk into a Church today and see a lay person speaking and acting as a priest, while distributing Communion ! And to see it being carried out, OUTSIDE the Sanctuary. And if that isnât enough, there is no concern whatsoever in the need to safeguard spillage of the Precious Blood or the dropping of the Body of Christ ! What, itâs enough to say âif it happens, we can pick it up or wipe it upâ ? But wait, there is more. The Good Doctor would also witness not only the Blessed Sacrament and Sacred Vessels being handled by laity outside the Sanctuary, but also, the Host being handled by unconsecrated hands a second time before being consumed ! Twice with no safeguard against dropping or spillage. And of course he would see that we donât bother kneeling to receive much nowadays. Despite our Holy Fatherâs example.
Kyrie eleison
Christie eleison
Kyrie eleison
"A day will come when the civilized world will deny its God, when the Church will doubt as Peter doubted. She will be tempted to believe that man has become God. In our churches, Christians will search in vain for the red lamp where God awaits them. Like Mary Magdalene, weeping before the empty tomb, they will ask, âWhere have they taken him?â -Pope Pius XII
To get out of Mass sooner ?
How about the fact that the EMHCâs are allowed to take the Blessed Sacrament out of the Sanctuary to distribute it ? How can this be justified ?
Why are EMHCâs used at weekday Masses where only 20 or 30 laity are present ? Again, so "we can hurry up and get out of here " ?
And the âBody of Christâ here, and then step over there for the âBlood of Christâ. Couldnât that give the impression that there is no Blood of Christ in the Body of Christ and vice versa ? I mean, sure, there are the two species Consecrated on the Altar, but doesnât the Co-Mingling of the two suffice ? Receiving both species, and the perceived âneedâ to do so, seems to diminish the act of Co-Mingling doesnât it ?
How does one convince his/herself or their worthiness to distribute the Blessed Sacrament in the first place ?
What a shock it would surely be for a Doctor of the Church to walk into a Church today and see a lay person speaking and acting as a priest, while distributing Communion ! And to see it being carried out, OUTSIDE the Sanctuary. And if that isnât enough, there is no concern whatsoever in the need to safeguard spillage of the Precious Blood or the dropping of the Body of Christ ! What, itâs enough to say âif it happens, we can pick it up or wipe it upâ ? But wait, there is more. The Good Doctor would also witness not only the Blessed Sacrament and Sacred Vessels being handled by laity outside the Sanctuary, but also, the Host being handled by unconsecrated hands a second time before being consumed ! Twice with no safeguard against dropping or spillage. And of course he would see that we donât bother kneeling to receive much nowadays. Despite our Holy Fatherâs example.
Kyrie eleison
Christie eleison
Kyrie eleison
"A day will come when the civilized world will deny its God, when the Church will doubt as Peter doubted. She will be tempted to believe that man has become God. In our churches, Christians will search in vain for the red lamp where God awaits them. Like Mary Magdalene, weeping before the empty tomb, they will ask, âWhere have they taken him?â -Pope Pius XII
L
Lux_et_Tenebrae
Guest
Hi,
Just read over the thread.
from Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion at Mass
This is up to the judgement of the pastor (another point covered many times in the thread)
Perhaps you should write to the Vatican or USCCB?
from the GIRM
No one is worthy. It is a needed ministry, especially to the sick and homebound, so we try to do the best we can.
I will pray for you to find peace, and acceptance of the fact that you do not make the rules. Remember peace and joy are fruits of the Spirit.
Lux
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