What should Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion do?
A
s we have seen, the Church allows the use
Beginning your ministry
I
f you are asked to act as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, your priest should provide
Apostolicam Actuositatem (Decree on the Laity), Vatican Council II
training, either at parish or diocesan level. You will
Celebrating the Mass, CTS (Do 731)
necessity’. In some countries, lay Ministers of Holy
normally need to attend a ‘Commissioning Service’
Communion will hold Eucharistic services on a
held by the local bishop, and renew your commitment
General Instruction of the Roman Missal, CTS (Do 730)
Sunday ‘on account of the absence of a sacred minister
(probably in your own parish) once a year. This
Redemptionis Sacramentum, CTS (Do 720)
or for some other grave cause’, but this will rarely be
renewal of commitment is often held on the Feast
necessary in Britain. Here, Extraordinary Ministers
of Corpus Christi. Do remember, this Ministry is a
assist at the distribution of Holy Communion in
service to the liturgy, the church and community, and
churches where the numbers require it. They also
requires a spirit of humility and fidelity, for which we
sometimes take Holy Communion to the sick and
should pray.
of Extraordinary Ministers ‘in cases of true
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy
For More Information
Communion
Key Books to Read
Being a reader at Mass, CTS Essentials Leaflet (LF 10) The Blessed Sacrament, CTS Essentials Leaflet (LF 12) Eucharist - The Body of Christ, CTS (Do714)
housebound where the priest is unable to visit them all himself.
What happens at Mass?, CTS Essentials Leaflet(LF 3)
Avoiding confusion
What is Eucharistic Adoration?, CTS Essentials Leaflet (LF 15)
R
ecent documents from the Church reflect a concern that, in some cases, the role of
Who can receive communion?, CTS Essentials Leaflet (LF 7)
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion has become confused with that of the priest. The new guidelines aim to remove any ambiguity. Extraordinary Ministers remain with the rest of the congregation until after the priest’s communion, and only then approach the altar. They do not assist at the Breaking of Bread. They receive their Communion from the hands of the priest, and it is the priest who
Prayer for Extraordinary Ministers
M
erciful Father, creator and guide of your family, bless all extraordinary ministers.
May they faithfully give the bread of life to your
hands them the sacred vessels before they distribute
people. Strengthened by this sacrament,
Holy Communion. A priest or deacon will purify the
may they come at last to the banquet of heaven.
sacred vessels after Communion, rather than leaving
We ask this through Christ Our Lord.
this to Extraordinary Ministers.
R. Amen.
LF 17 - Extraordinary Ministry of Communion - Leaflet.indd 2
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LF 17
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Guidance for Ministers and those preparing them 25p 23/01/2013 15:07