Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion are acolytes (referring to someone in the seminary) or lay persons who have been deputed by the bishop for the purpose of assisting with the distribution of Holy Communion. (General Instruction of the Roman Missal, GIRM #162)
In every celebration of the Eucharist, there should be a sufficient number of ministers of Holy Communion so that it may be distributed in a reverent and orderly manner. Bishops, priests and deacons distribute Holy Communion in virtue of their office as ordinary ministers of the Body and Blood of the Lord. (1) 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).”
Norms for the Distribution and Reception of Holy Communion Under Both Kinds for the Dioceses of the United States of America [NDRHC] (August, 2002), no. 26 and cf. GIRM no. 162 and NRHC, no. 28
Those appointed to be Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion must be:
- at least 16 years of age and mature enough to consider the importance of this
ministry. - They must be fully initiated in the Catholic faith (having received the
Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Communion) and a registered
member of the parish in which they serve. - They must have been practicing Catholics for at least a year.
- They must be in good standing with the Catholic Church.
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
- will serve as Ministers of Christ’s Body or Ministers of Christ’s Precious Blood.
- assist with the distribution of Holy Communion during the celebration of the Eucharist
- be appointed to take Holy Communion to the sick or homebound members of the parish
- will serve only in the parish in which they have been trained and commissioned
The parish community which presents a person to be commissioned as an
Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion has an obligation to enroll that person
into a Diocesan program for initial training and to subsequently provide ongoing
support and formation.
- Initial training must include an understanding of the role of distributing Holy
Communion as a ministry within the Church. - Acceptance of a call to this ministry should reflect a corresponding commitment to performing the ministry with
reverence. - Initial training should include an understanding of the Eucharist as the
summit and source of our faith. - Practical information on how Holy Communion is distributed in the parish and a
timely schedule should be provided by the parish. - Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion must be willing to enter initial and
ongoing formation and be responsible for their scheduled duties.-
- The parish will provide ongoing training to aid in the
understanding of their ministry.
- The parish will provide ongoing training to aid in the
-
Norms for the Distribution and Reception of Holy Communion Under Both Kinds for the Dioceses of the United States of America [NDRHC] (August, 2002), no. 26 and cf. GIRM no. 162 and NRHC, no. 28
Upon the completion of formation and discernment for this ministry, the person
is appointed as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, by the bishop.
- They are commissioned for a period of three years at a public ceremony in the
midst of the Sunday assembly whom they serve. - They may be re‐appointed after a suitable period of discernment and opportunity for further formation and re‐
commissioned at another public ceremony in the midst of the Sunday assembly whom they serve.
Norms for the Distribution and Reception of Holy Communion Under Both Kinds for the Dioceses of the United States of America [NDRHC] (August, 2002), no. 26 and cf. GIRM no. 162 and NRHC, no. 28
1. The parish will provide a schedule of assigned times for each minister to
serve. It is the Extraordinary Minister’s responsibility to let the parish know
if there are specific dates when he/she is not available or if he/she can only
serve at a specific Mass.
2. Once an Extraordinary Minister is scheduled, he/she is responsible for
honoring his/her commitment to the ministry by either serving at the
appointed time or by finding a replacement if they are unable to do so.
3. When the Lamb of God begins, all assigned Extraordinary Ministers of Holy
Communion are to come from their places in the congregation, without any
undue distractions. They are to take their places near the altar, as
prescribed by the GIRM17 and designated by the practice of the parish.
4. The priest celebrant will ensure that Holy Communion is distributed to the
Extraordinary Ministers, first Christ’s Body and then Christ’s Precious Blood.
Then the celebrant will give each minister either a ciborium [for Ministers
of Christ’s Body] or a cup [for Ministers of Christ’s Precious Blood]. Then
all ministers proceed to their assigned stations.
5. For Ministers of Christ’s Body, the focus of Holy Communion is that you, the
Body of Christ, are distributing Holy Communion, the Body of Christ, to the
communicant, the Body of Christ. Therefore, the guidelines provided by
the USCCB require that when you distribute, you are to say “The Body of
Christ”. Other words or names must not be added to the formula. Give the
person an opportunity to bow and say “Amen” before placing the Body of
Christ in their hands [or on their tongue if they prefer to receive that way].
6. If the Body of Christ or a particle of it should fall on the ground, the
Minister of Christ’s Body should pick it up reverently. It may be consumed,
or completely dissolved in water and poured down the sacrarium.
7. For Ministers of Christ’s Precious Blood, the focus of Holy Communion is
that you are distributing the Blood of Christ. Therefore, the guidelines
provided by the USCCB require that when you distribute, you are to say
“The Blood of Christ.” Other words or names must not be added. Give the
person an opportunity to bow and say “Amen” before giving the cup to
them. When the cup is returned to you, wipe the rim with the purificator
and turn the cup at least one quarter turn. Use the entire purificator by
unfolding it and changing the portion used for wiping the cup during
distribution.
8. If Christ’s Precious Blood is spilled from the cup, place a purificator over the
spot, so that no one walks on it. As soon as possible, the area should be
washed with water, soaked up with purificators and the water poured into
the sacrarium.
9. When all of the faithful have received Holy Communion, Ministers of
Christ’s Body will take any remaining Consecrated Hosts to the altar. The
priest celebrant will place the remaining Body of Christ in the ciborium and
take the ciborium to the tabernacle. All sacred vessels used for the
distribution of Holy Communion will be taken to a designated place for
purification and cleansing.
10.Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion may be asked to assist with
consuming any remaining Christ’s Precious Blood before the vessels are
purified. Christ’s Precious Blood is never to be poured out, either down a
drain, into the ground, nor even into the sacrarium.
17 GIRM #162
1. Kwatera, Michael. The Ministry of Communion. The Liturgical Press, 2004.
2. Riley, Kenneth A. and Paul Turner. The Liturgical Ministry Series: Guide for
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion. Liturgy Training Publications,
2007.
3. Tufano, Victoria M. Guide for Ministers of Communion. Liturgy Training
Publications, 1999.
GIRM REFERENCES
The following paragraphs of the General Instruction of the Roman Missal, Third
Edition provide further information with respect to this ministry … GIRM #83, 160,
162, 280, 284 and 286‐287.