When Is An Extraordinary Minister Of Holy Communion Required

[Augustine3]

I understand extraordinary ministers are required only if the congregation at mass are too many and the minister is not able to distribute communion on his own.

Everywhere I go in the Latin mass, regardless how little the congregation is even if just a handful of people, there’s always an extraordinary minister. Is this an abuse of the church’s latitude for extraordinary ministers?

 

[Vico]

I understand extraordinary ministers are required only if the congregation at mass are too many and the minister is not able to distribute communion on his own.

Everywhere I go in the Latin mass, regardless how little the congregation is even if just a handful of people, there’s always an extraordinary minister. Is this an abuse of the church’s latitude for extraordinary ministers?

When the size of the congregation or the incapacity of the bishop, priest, or deacon requires it, the celebrant may be assisted by other bishops, priests, or deacons. If such ordinary ministers of Holy Communion are not present, “the priest may call upon extraordinary ministers to assist him, i.e., duly instituted acolytes or even other faithful who have been deputed for this purpose. In case of necessity, the priest may also depute suitable faithful for this single occasion (GIRM 162).”

USCCB
usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/the-mass/order-of-mass/liturgy-of-the-eucharist/extraordinary-ministers-of-holy-communion-at-mass.cfm

 

[ProVobis]

I understand extraordinary ministers are required only if the congregation at mass are too many and the minister is not able to distribute communion on his own.

Everywhere I go in the Latin mass, regardless how little the congregation is even if just a handful of people, there’s always an extraordinary minister. Is this an abuse of the church’s latitude for extraordinary ministers?

Whereabouts are you as this is very strange. Lay people have never distributed communion where I have attended Latin Masses. Priests and deacons only.

 

[PaulfromIowa]

Whereabouts are you as this is very strange. Lay people have never distributed communion where I have attended Latin Masses. Priests and deacons only.

Note that the OP is Maronite. By “Latin Mass” he doubtless means Latin rite.

 

[PaulfromIowa]

It is up to the pastor or priest celebrant when and whether to use EMHC’s. They may be used more than necessary in many parishes. Whether this is an abuse or how serious is debatable. Let us always be slow to point the finger at our priests.

 

[G_S]

Actually, an EMHC is never required in the sense of being mandatory.

 

[Isca]

Actually, an EMHC is never required in the sense of being mandatory.

We have 5 EMHCs at every Sunday mass, and three during the week. We have one priest, no deacon and big congregations.

 

[G_S]

We have 5 EMHCs at every Sunday mass, and three during the week. We have one priest, no deacon and big congregations.

The original question asked when EMHC were required not when they were permissible. How many folks come to daily Mass?

 

[Spudbynight]

The original question asked when EMHC were required not when they were permissible. How many folks come to daily Mass?

In my home parish, 10 in the pews and 3 of them EMHCs for a midweek Mass is pretty common. In that instance it is an abuse.

One of the reasons I go elsewhere.

 

[G_S]

In my home parish, 10 in the pews and 3 of them EMHCs for a midweek Mass is pretty common. In that instance it is an abuse.

One of the reasons I go elsewhere.

I would say it is an abuse to have so many EMHC’s for ten people. Our parish is very careful about how many EMHC we have. At a Mass with two hundred people, we generally have only two so that Communion can be given in both forms. I know that quite a few people object to any use of EMHC’s but they are allowed. Our bishop has set some very excellent policies for the qualifications and training of EMHC’s. In fact, no EMHC’s can be appointed until the bishop’s office approves the number that are suitable for a given parish. Everything is “by the book” and it makes for a wonderful, reverent Liturgy.

 

[Lormar]

My husband said last week they ought to be called “Ordinary Ministers” because there is nothing extraordinary about them and how often they are used.

 

[ProVobis]

We have 5 EMHCs at every Sunday mass, and three during the week. We have one priest, no deacon and big congregations.

Just curious, what are the confession lines like?

 

[Brendan]

I would say it is an abuse to have so many EMHC’s for ten people. Our parish is very careful about how many EMHC we have. At a Mass with two hundred people, we generally have only two so that Communion can be given in both forms…

That is our 6:00am weekday Mass, about 200 people. There are no EMHCs used. In our parish, Fr offers Holy Communion intincted, so both species are received, from one minister ( the priest).