Extraordinary Ministers Of Holy Communion Bring The Glory Of Christ To The Community

We see them every week, and yet many do not know what they are called. Nor do many understand the vitally important service, or ministry, they provide to our community. The laywomen and laymen who distribute the Body and Blood of Christ in the Eucharist at Mass every week are properly called Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, or EMHCs. They are an essential part of bringing Christ to our community, and by extension, the world.

“During the Second Vatican Council in 1963, the fathers of the Church declared that ‘the Eucharist is the source and summit of our faith,’” says Franklyn Busby, Blessed Sacrament Director of Liturgy and Music. “In addition to assisting the priest in the distribution of Christ’s Body and Blood in the Eucharist during Mass, the EMHCs also take Communion to shut-ins and those in the hospital and long-term care, and clean the Communion vessels after Mass.”

The establishment of the EMHC Ministry follows the authority of the General Instruction of the Roman Missal or GIRM.

“For Roman Catholics, the final authority on all things liturgical is the GIRM,” Franklyn says. “In the GIRM, our Church teaches that ‘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... when the size of the congregation or the incapacity of the bishop, priest, or deacon requires it... the priest may call upon the Extraordinary Ministers to assist him.’”

In pointing to the origin of the ministry, Franklyn explains its deep connection to the Liturgy.

“The word ‘liturgy’ is a fairly small word with a much larger meaning,” he says. “From the ancient Greek, the word ‘liturgy’ translated means ‘the public work of the people on behalf of the people.’ To speak plainly, ‘liturgy’ is ‘of the people, by the people, and for the people’ of God.”

Our Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion also provide a vital service to the aged and disabled by bringing the Holy Eucharist to them when they are unable to join the community at Mass. They also provide the same service to those in the hospital or in longterm care facilities.

“For some, the only direct human contact they have each week is with the EMHCs from Blessed Sacrament,” Franklyn says.

In order to become an EMHC, the requirements are simple — one must be baptized and a faithful Roman Catholic in good standing with the Church. One must also be willing to invest a small amount of time for the Kingdom of God.

“Each EMHC receives training and a period of mentorship before they are asked to serve at Mass,” Franklyn says. “All that we ask is that you commit to serving on a regular basis.”

If the Holy Spirit is calling you to this important ministry, please contact the parish office or Franklyn Busby at 308-384-0532 or Info@Worship-Arts.org.