Guidelines for Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion for Sunday and Holy Day Liturgies

at

Our Lady of Grace Parish

 Revised October 22, 2009

 

1. Someone chosen as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion must be fully initiated in the Roman Catholic Church and should normally be at least 16 years of age.  He or she should be a person who is striving to live the Gospel message in his or her daily life.  He or she must also be an active member of Our Lady of Grace Parish.

 

2. The names of candidates for Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion have been submitted in writing to the bishop in order to receive the commission to exercise this ministry.  Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion are commissioned for a three-year length of time.  This ministry is a privilege, not a right.  The permission is granted for a particular parish and the needs of that parish.  You may not function as a minister outside of your assigned tasks given to you by the parish.  This would include obtaining permission before you take communion to any individual or group not specifically assigned to you by the pastor or parish.

 

3. Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion will receive proper formation before they begin to exercise their ministry.

 

4. Newly designated ministers must be commissioned at a Sunday Mass.  Extraordinary Ministers whose commission is being renewed should also participate in the rite.

 

5. Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion are to dress in appropriate and dignified clothing to administer Holy Communion.  Modesty and taste are expected.

 

6. Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion are expected to be present at least 15 minutes before the Liturgy begins.  They are also expected to sign in and receive any special instructions for the Liturgy of the day.  If you are not present at least 15 minutes prior to the start of the mass, you will be replaced by an available minister if there is one available.  It is not respectful of the other ministers and the presider to make them wait until two minutes prior to the liturgy to see if a full complement of ministers is in place.

 

7. Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion are to be seated in the pews with the rest of the congregation.

 

8. Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion may assist with the distribution of Holy Communion within Mass, may take Communion to the sick, and may distribute Holy Communion outside of Mass, each according to the prescribed rite. (See #2 above) Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion or any lay person may also assist in the distribution of ashes on Ash Wednesday, after receiving appropriate instruction. 

 

9. Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, like all liturgical ministers, should function in only one ministry during a particular celebration.

 

10. Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion should take an active part in the celebration of Mass, joining with the assembly in the prayers, songs, and acclamations.

 

11. At the beginning of the sign of peace, the Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion immediately move from their pews and enter the sanctuary.  They will take their place along the back of the carpet behind the altar, and if necessary, standing in front of the Ambo and Presider’s chair.  They do not approach the altar until the priest receives Holy Communion.  Since the tabernacle is situated outside of the sanctuary, one of the Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion can and is designated to go to the tabernacle and bring the ciborium to the altar.   

 

Since there are a large number of Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion the following procedure will be used.  The first minister in line moves to the side of the altar after the priest receives Holy Communion.  The priest communicates that minister with the Consecrated Host and the Precious Blood.  The priest continues down the line and gives all other ministers the Precious Body of Christ.  The first minister follows with the Precious Blood.  When the priest is finished distributing Communion to the ministers he returns to the altar.  After each minister receives the Precious Blood she or he goes to the priest and will be given either the Precious Blood or the Body of Christ.  That minister then goes to a station and begins distribution.  So that we may fill in the stations in an orderly manner, start filling in the stations from right to left as you face out from the altar.  Therefore the first station filled in will be under the statue of Mary.  The priest will always go to the station on the right (presider chair side) directly in front of the altar.

 

12. The normal practice for distributing Holy Communion

 

a)    The communicant stands in front of the priest, deacon or the Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion.

 

b)    The communicant bows his or her head to the Consecrated Host or the Precious Blood.

 

c)     The minister presents the consecrated host or the chalice and says, “The Body of Christ” or “The Blood of Christ.”  No names or other personal comments are to be added to this formula.

 

d)    The communicant responds, “Amen.”

 

e)    The minister places the consecrated host on the tongue or in the hand of the communicant as (s)he so indicates, or the minister presents the cup to the communicant who takes it, drinks from it, and hands it back to the minister. 

 

f)     A communicant may not be refused Holy Communion if he or she does not stand or chooses another sign of reverence.

 

g)    The minister of the cup then wipes the top of the chalice, turns the chalice slightly and presents it to the next communicant.  The cup should not be passed from one communicant to another, nor should the communicant be permitted to dip the consecrated host into the consecrated wine in order to avoid drinking from the cup.

 

 

 

 

 

13. Following the distribution of Holy Communion at your station:

 

a.     When you have finished distributing communion at your station and there are still other stations distributing Eucharist, check to see if you may help them—then proceed to the  altar.  If a station no longer has Precious Blood and your cup is not yet empty, please move to that station and assist in distribution of the Precious Blood.  Do not pour from one cup to another at any time.

 

b.     After the distribution of Communion is completed, the ministers may consume the remains of the Precious Blood from the chalice of distribution at their stations or at the altar—but not while walking.  If they do not choose to consume the Precious Blood, the chalice should be taken to the altar where the Precious Blood is consumed by the priest.  If the Extraordinary Minister decides to consume the Precious Blood at the altar, they should do so while facing toward the altar.

 

c.     If not completely consumed, the Eucharistic bread is reposed in the tabernacle by the priest or deacon if the tabernacle is inside the sanctuary.  If the tabernacle is outside the sanctuary, one of the Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion can and is designated to return the ciborium to the tabernacle. 

 

d.     The ministers will be given the empty vessels to carry to the credence table where they will place the vessels on the tray.  At no time is any one vessel to be stacked upon another. The ministers will then return to their place in the congregation.

 

e.     All ministers are to wait until every minister has distributed communion and has returned to the Altar before proceeding as a group to the credence table.

 

f.      The priest will proceed to the credence table.  He will purify the paten, chalices and ciborium.

 

g.     Mass will continue in the usual manner.

 

7.  After mass is concluded and since the vessels have been purified by the priest, the ministers should carry the tray of vessels back to the sacristy to be washed in an appropriate manner. Every minister is expected to check and see that the sacred vessels are returned to the sacristy, and washed after each Liturgy.

 

 

14. Extraordinary Ministers who take communion to the sick are to carry the consecrated hosts in a pyx.  When the Extraordinary Ministers take communion to the sick as an extension of the Eucharistic celebration, they will wait until after Mass to receive the pyx.

 

15. If the Extraordinary Ministers to the sick are sent forth as part of the dismissal rite, the event should be kept short and the words kept to a minimum.  Following the prayer after communion the minister(s) will approach the altar and receive the pyx.  In handing the pyx to the Extraordinary Ministers, the presider will say: “Go forth in the peace of Christ, and take the Body of Christ to our brothers and sisters.  Share with them the Word of God, and assure them of our prayers.”  The mass will then conclude in the normal manner.

 

16. Whenever the minister receives the pyx he or she should go directly to the sick.  Care should be taken not to engage in idle conversation or any other activity until the communion rite has been celebrated with the sick.  Any remaining hosts are to be consumed or returned to the tabernacle immediately following the rite, and the pyx cleansed in the approved fashion.

 

 

17. After the 4:00 PM Saturday night Mass and the 10:30 AM Mass on Sunday, the tabernacle key should be returned to the sacred vessel closet in the priest sacristy.  After the 8:30 AM Mass the key should remain in the tabernacle for the next Mass.  Before each Mass one of the Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion should make certain that the key is indeed in the tabernacle.