Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion Guidelines

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion Guidelines in the General Roman Missal 2000

Selection

The community's need for Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (E.M.H.C.) must first be determined. For both Sunday and weekday Masses, the following present legitimate needs: the presence of large numbers of communicants; the desire to provide Communion under both kinds and more frequent Communion for the sick, especially on Sunday; incapacitation of the ordinary minister.
Men and women who are 18 years of age or older may be appointed. They should be mature in faith and be known to other parishioners as exemplary Catholics. They must also be fully initiated (Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist).
Selection of candidates should be as objective as possible, seeking an appropriate reflection of the diversity and unity of the local parish community, e.g., not be confined to one age group, sex, race or social class.
The selection may happen in a number of ways: selection by pastoral staff and parish liturgy committee, nomination by the parish council, or through nomination by the parish at large with approval by the pastor.
The pastor (or, with the pastor's permission, the parochial vicar) must send the names of candidates to the Office of the Bishop who gives approval and grants the faculty. The signature of the priest, or in the case of a religious community, the religious superior of the congregation, is required as a recommendation of the candidates.
The faculty becomes effective at the time of the celebration of the liturgical rite of commissioning (Book of Blessings, Chapter 63). Unless previously withdrawn, it remains in effect for three years. This date is the same for all E.M.H.C. in a given parish.

Preparation

All E.M.H.C. must be prepared for their liturgical role through some kind of program that includes the following: (Please refer to the training program for E.M.H.C. in the Guidelines for the Care and Celebration of the Eucharist in the Diocese of Manchester).

Reflection on the nature of liturgical ministry, the mystery of the Eucharist and the theology of the Mass.
Renewed appreciation of the ritual nature and structure of the Mass, especially the importance and role of the baptized assemble and the multiple liturgical roles within it.
The relationship between Communion of the sick and the assembly's celebration of the Mass, especially on Sunday.
Rehearsal of the practical function of the E.M.H.C. both at Mass and in visitation of the sick. In addition, where it is necessary for such ministers to assist with public Eucharistic adoration, they must be specifically prepared for their role as leader of the community's prayer and in the use of the prescribed ritual.
Spirituality of the liturgical minister.
Ongoing enrichment provided in the parish and by the diocese.

Function at Mass

Distinct role: E.M.H.C. may not assume the roles of others such as cantor, reader, acolyte at the same liturgy at which they are ministers of the Eucharist. They may not assist the priest at the altar in the manner of a deacon nor receive Communion in the manner of a concelebrating priest.
Vesture: Dignified clothing.
E.M.H.C. are generally seated in the assembly area.
They do not enter in the entrance procession with the other ministers.
They should participate in the Mass as active and exemplary members of the assembly.

The Communion Rite

After the invitation to Communion ("Behold the Lamb of God... and my soul shall be healed"), after the priest himself receives Communion, the E.M.H.C. approach the altar. They may not stand in the place of the deacon or concelebrating priests. The Sign of Peace ends when the fraction of the host and the "Lamb of God" begins. Therefore, E.M.H.C. are not to offer the sign of peace when entering the sanctuary.

Communion from the sacrament reserved in the tabernacle should NOT be common practice. The assembly should be able to receive from the gifts consecrated at the Mass they celebrate. When, however, it is necessary for the Blessed Sacrament to be brought from the tabernacle, the deacon, priest or an assisting priest may do this. The vessel from the tabernacle should be brought to the altar during the breaking of the bread.

After the priest receives Communion, he gives Communion, under both forms, to the deacon and other E.M.H.C. as they now stand near the altar.

E.M.H.C. may not wait until the end of the Communion rite to receive Holy Communion. They themselves should humbly receive Holy Communion and then distribute Holy Communion to the assemply.

After the E.M.H.C. have received Communion, the priest, assisted, if necessary, by the deacon, hands to each minister the vessel to be used for the distribution of Communion. The E.M.H.C. may step forward one by one to receive the vessels, rather than requiring the priest to move back and forth from the altar to each minister.

The E.M.H.C. go to the assigned places to distribute the Eucharist to the assembly. They distribute the consecrated Host or Precious Blood with the words and actions given in the Order of the Mass, without changing or adding words.

After the distribution, whatever remains of the Body and Blood of the Lord is ordinarily taken to the altar. There the deacon, priest or E.M.H.C., reverently consume what remains of the Blood of Christ. Remaining Hosts are also consumed or are taken to the tabernacle. When required, E.M.H.C. or other communicants may assist in consuming what remains of the Blood of Christ.

Those who take Communion to the sick may be entrusted with the Blessed Sacrament before the Prayer after Communion. They may leave immediately and in any case, will go directly to their visitation.

Remaining Communion ministers return to their places for the rest of Mass. They do not exit in procession with the priest and other ministers.

Purification of Sacred Vessels after Holy Communion

The General Instruction makes no provision for laypersons to assist in the preparation and purification of sacred vessels at Mass.
Note that there is a distinction between “purifying” sacred vessels and “cleaning” them.
- Purification of sacred vessels includes putting some water in the sacred vessels and then consuming the remains of the consecrated bread or wine. This action belongs to the ministry of the bishop, priest and deacon.
- The “cleaning” of sacred vessels, including washing the vessels after being purified may be done by a deacon or priest and also by a layperson designated by the pastor to do so.

The following practices are to be observed in all celebrations of the Mass in the Diocese of Manchester.

Following the distribution of the Precious Blood, the E.M.H.C. consume what remains in their cups at the credence table, or, if necessary at the altar.
The priest or deacon then purifies the sacred vessels either at the credence table or altar, using the appropriate prayer associated with this purification. ¹ For a large number of sacred vessels, it may be advisable to wait until after Mass to do this. (GIRM, #183).
If the sacred vessels are to be purified after Mass, they are brought to the credence table and suitably covered with a clean cloth. After Mass, the sacred vessels are taken to the sacristy where they are purified by the priest or the deacon. Following the purification of the sacred vessels, they are then cleaned by the sacristan or designated layperson.

Note: When sacred vessels are purified, the deacon or priest may purify by pouring water into the first cup, swirling the water around in the customary manner, and then pouring it into the next cup, and then into the next, etc. After he has done so with the last cup to be purified, he consumes the ablution. The vessels are then set aside to be cleansed.
As part of the ongoing formation of E.M.H.C. and sacristans, these Directives along with the rationale for making the change from current practice, should be made known and explained to them by the pastor of the parish or the person responsible for the formation of E.M.H.C.

Other Functions

With specific deputation by the Bishop, E.M.H.C. may lead the rite of Sunday Celebrations in the absence of a priest.
With specific deputation by the pastor and proper training, E.M.H.C. may also serve in the following ways (using the appropriate form in the official rituals):
- minister Communion to the sick or to shut-ins;
- in the absence of a priest or deacon, expose the reserved Blessed Sacrament for public adoration and later repose it; they may not give benediction with the Blessed Sacrament.

Other special functions, like distributing ashes on Ash Wednesday or assisting with the St. Blaise blessing may be entrusted by the pastor to any appropriate lay person. That person need not be a minister of Communion, nor does commissioning as an extraordinary minister of Communion bring with it other privileges or duties.

¹ Lord, may I receive these gifts in purity of heart. May they bring me strength and healing, now and forever.