Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion are appointed by the Pastor
Procedures for Extra-ordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
At St. Augustine in Thomasville
Revised September 2016
The Code of Canon Law, par. 230 sec. 3
“When the need of the Church warrants it and ministers are lacking, lay persons, even if they are not lectors or acolytes, can also supply certain of their duties, namely, to exercise the ministry of the word, to preside over liturgical prayers, to confer baptism, and to distribute Holy Communion, according to the prescripts of the law.”
General Instruction of the Roman Missal, par. 280
“If a host or any particle should fall, it is to be picked up reverently. If any of the Precious Blood is spilled, the area where the spill occurred should be washed with water, and this water should then be poured into the sacrarium in the sacristy.”
Guidelines:
Procedures for Extra-ordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
At St. Augustine in Thomasville
Revised September 2016
The Code of Canon Law, par. 230 sec. 3
“When the need of the Church warrants it and ministers are lacking, lay persons, even if they are not lectors or acolytes, can also supply certain of their duties, namely, to exercise the ministry of the word, to preside over liturgical prayers, to confer baptism, and to distribute Holy Communion, according to the prescripts of the law.”
General Instruction of the Roman Missal, par. 280
“If a host or any particle should fall, it is to be picked up reverently. If any of the Precious Blood is spilled, the area where the spill occurred should be washed with water, and this water should then be poured into the sacrarium in the sacristy.”
Guidelines:
- Extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion must be confirmed Catholics in good standing with the Church, attending Mass each Sunday and Holy Day of Obligation and receiving the Sacrament of Penance regularly. If married, the marriage must be recognized by the Catholic Church. If one’s status with the church changes, please contact your pastor for a meeting concerning this changed status.
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion must uphold the faith and morals of the Church in public and private arenas. As “extraordinary ministers” you are called to “witness” to the fullness of the Catholic Faith in word and deed.
- Please arrive for Mass at least 15 minutes before Mass begins and check off your name as present on the schedule on the bulletin board at the entrance of the church.
- At the “Lamb of God” shake the hand of one or two people near you and then approach the sanctuary by the first step. Normally there will be a total of 2 Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion. When a deacon is present, the priest and deacon will be host ministers in the middle. In the event that there are concelebrating priests or additional deacons, who are the Ordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, they will take place of one or more Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion during distribution of the Holy Communion.
- After the priest has received Holy Communion (both the Body and Blood), the ministers should immediately approach the altar- he will first give Holy Communion to the deacon (if there is one). Then the priest will distribute the Body and Blood to all the extraordinary ministers. Then the priest will give the ministers the ciboria and chalices.
- Church directives do not allow extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion to take their chalice or ciborium of hosts directly from the altar themselves. Nor can they hand a chalice or ciborium to another minister. Only a priest or deacon is allowed to do this.
- As soon as all have received their ciboria or chalice, together priest, deacon, and extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion go to their respective positions to distribute Holy Communion.
- No one who presents themselves for Holy Communion should be denied Holy Communion, unless it is clear that they are not Catholic. No Blessing should be given to people by lay ministers. Blessings are reserved to the Ordained Ministers: Priest, Deacon. If someone seems confused about the manner in which to receive Holy Communion, the minister may simply say to the person: “God Bless You.” This should be done politely and discreetly.
- Only through the directives of the local bishop can a politician be refused Holy Communion because of their political agenda which may be opposed to the Church’s moral law. No extraordinary minister of Holy Communion may ever deny a Catholic Holy Communion unless directed by our bishop to do so.
- Each extraordinary minister of Holy Communion must find their own replacement if they are unable to serve a particular Mass. Continual absences without finding a replacement will be considered as a resignation from this ministry.
- Reverence for the Sacred and Consecrated elements of the Most Holy Eucharist is expected from all Catholics and extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion in particular. Please strive to understand the Church’s dogma concerning Transubstantiation and the public signs of respect due to Christ in the Most Holy Eucharist – Frequent confession (monthly) is advised.
- If the host minister drops a Sacred Host during the distribution of Holy Communion, in a reverent manner pick it up and place it to the side of the ciborium and consume it after distribution.
- Church directives do not allow extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion to take their ciborium or chalice directly from the altar themselves. Nor can they hand a ciborium or chalice to another minister. Only a priest or deacon is allowed to do this.
- Dress for this ministry is “Sunday Best.” Sunday Best at St. Augustine’s for liturgical ministers is:
- Men: dress shirt, dress slacks and dress shoes with socks.
- Woman: Modest dress or pant suit, and dress shoes. Please, No plunging necklines, short dresses or sleeveless apparel.