Guidelines for Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion

“The Eucharist is our most precious treasure...it contains all the mystery of salvation.”

Pope Benedict XVI

Phone: 614-221-4640 Fax: 614-241-2513 Email: litmailbox@

columbuscatholic.org

Office for Divine Worship 197 East Gay Street

Columbus, OH 43215

CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF COLUMBUS

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TableofContents

Introduction 3

DiocesanGuidelinesfortheSelectionofCandidates 4

ExtraordinaryMinistersofHolyCommunionatMass 5

ProceduralGuidelines 5

ProceduralGuidelinescontinued 6

DistributionProcedures 7

DistributionProcedurescontinued 8

ExtraordinaryMinistersofHolyCommuniontotheSick&Homebound

ProceduralGuidelines 9

ProceduralGuidelinescontinued 10

Conclusion 11

PrayerforExtraordinaryMinistersofHolyCommunion 11

AppendixContentPage 12

AppendixMaterials 13‐21

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Introduction

ForCatholics,theMassistheheartofourfaith;acelebrationofthePaschalMysteryofJesusChrist.TheVaticanIIdocument“SacrosanctumConcilium”(TheConstitutionontheSacredLiturgy)describestheMassas:“thesummittowardwhichtheactivityoftheChurchisdirected;atthesametime,itisthefountfromwhichalltheChurch’spower lows(SC,no.10).”Inshort,itisthesourceandthesummitofChristianlifeandprayer.

TheheartoftheMassistheEucharisticPrayer,thememorializationofJesus’commandattheLastSup‐perto“Dothisinmemoryofme.”ThroughthepoweroftheHolySpirit,thebreadandthewinebecometheBodyandBloodofJesus,andChrist’spromisetoremainwithHisChurchbecomesatangiblereality.EverytimeCatholicsgathertogetheratMassandreceivetheBodyandBloodofChrist,theyarejoinedtogetherasmembersofChrist’smysticalBody,sharingtheonelifeoftheSpirit.ItisinthegreatSacra‐mentofthealtarthatwearejoinedtoChristJesusandtooneanother(NormsfortheDistributionandReceptionofHolyCommunionUnderBothKindsintheDiocesesoftheUnitedStatesofAmerica[NDRHC],no.5).

Throughoutourlife,GodsendsinvitationstoeachofustoshareourgiftswiththeChurchandthecommunity.Youhavere‐ceivedthegreatprivilegeofbeingcalledandcommissionedtodistributetheBodyandBloodofChristatMasswhenneeded,andtobringHimtothesickandhome‐boundofyourparish.Thankyouforhear‐ingandrespondingtoGod’scall!

Genuineministryisabouthumbleservice.ThemodelforallministryisJesusChrist,whocametoserve,nottobeserved.Hiscommandto“loveoneanother”(cf.John13:43)wasmodeledthroughouthislifeandministry.Heisaskingyoutodothesame,toputasidepersonalagendasandneeds,prejudicesandjudgmentsinordertoservethecommunityandgivefaithfultestimonytoHisen‐duringpresenceintheEucharist.

Theseguidelinesaremeanttoassistyouinthisministryofserviceandlove.Theyaremeanttogiveyouthenecessarydirectivestoperformyourministryproperly,andtoassistyouwithanyquestionsyoumayhave.AsanExtraordinaryMinisteroftheEucharist,youarecalledtostrengthenyourloveandde‐votiontoourEucharisticLord.MaytheHolyCommunionyoureceiveandgivetransformyoutobeanagentofgraceandhealingwithinyourparishcommunity.Ponderuponthismysteryyouarecalledtoparticipateinand“letJesus,presentintheBlessedSacrament,speaktoyourhearts.Itishewhoisthetrueansweroflifethatyouseek(andshare).”St.PopeJohnPaulII

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DiocesanGuidelinesfortheSelectionofCandidates

1) CandidatesforcommissioningasanExtraordinaryMinisterofHolyCommunionmustbefullyinitiat‐edintotheChurch(bebaptized,receivedHolyCommunion,andbecon irmed)andmustbelivingalifeaccordingtotheteachingsoftheCatholicChurch.

2) TheminimumageforanindividualaspiringtobeanExtraordinaryMinisterofHolyCommunionis16yearsold.

3) Thoseparticipatinginservicetothesick,whetherathomeorinthehospitalshouldbematureadults.

4) Eachparishshouldhaveinplaceacontinuoustrainingprogramforthosewhoserveinthisministry.Thattrainingshouldinclude:education,formationandsupport(NDRHCI,no.28).

5) Aswithallliturgicalministries,itisbestfortheindividualandtheparishifapersonservesinonlyoneministryatanygivenliturgy.Thisisimportantinordertoencouragetheinvolvementofavarie‐tyofpersonsinthisparishandtopreventanyindividualfrom“takingownership”inparticipation.

6) Candidatesshouldbecommissionedforaperiodofnolessthan2yearsandnomorethan4.AftertheCommissioningceremonytakesplaceintheparish,thepastormustsendthenamesoftheindi‐vidualstotheBishop’sOf ice.TheOf iceforDivineWorshiphasaformalcerti icatelocatedonthewebsitethatshouldbedownloadedandissuedtoeachpersontestifyingtotheirCerti icationandcommissioningperiod.

7) Afterpreparationforthisministryiscompleted,formalcommissioningoftheExtraordinaryMinis‐tersofHolyCommunionshouldtakeplaceataparishweekendMass.An“OrderfortheCommission-ingofExtraordinaryMinstersofHolyCommunion”canbefoundintheBookofBlessings,chapter63.

8) Commissionedpersonsshouldbeencouragedtoparticipateinongoingformation.Parishesareen‐couragedtoworkwiththeOf iceforDivineWorshiptoassistwithopportunitiesforre lectionontheEucharist,itsplaceintheminister’slifeandthisparticularministry.Eventslikethisshouldtakeplaceatleastonceayearorseasonally(i.e.Adventand/orLent).

9) ItisimportantthateachparishkeepsaccuraterecordsofeachEMHC’songoingformationandre‐newaloftheirtermofservice.

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ExtraordinaryMinistersofHolyCommunionatMass

Ordinaryvs.ExtraordinaryMinisters

InordertopromotefullerparticipationintheHolyEucha‐rist,theSecondVaticanCouncilcalledforthefaithfulpre‐sentateachMasstocommunicatenotonlybyspiritualde‐sirebutalsobysacramentalCommunion(GeneralInstruc-tionoftheRomanMissal2002[GIRM2002],no.13).

Ithasbecomecommonplacethatduetothelackofavaila‐bleOrdinaryMinisters(ordainedclergy),parishesrelyontheassistanceofExtraordinaryMinisterstodistributeHo‐lyCommunionsothattheCommunionRiteisnotundulylong.ThisisespeciallytruewhenCommunionisdistribut‐edunderbothspecies(breadandwine).TheChurchclear‐lycallsforthisaspreferenceasitmoreclearlysigni iestheEucharisticbanquet(GIRM ,nos. 4 -2).

TheuseofExtraordinaryMinistersshouldnevertakeplacewhenthereareenoughOrdinaryMinistersinattendance.EverydeaconandconcelebratingpriestsmustassistwiththedistributionofHolyCommunionbeforeExtraordinaryMinistersarecalledintoassist.Whenthereisneededas‐sistance,theExtraordinaryMinisterofHolyCommunion(EMHC),willfrequentlygivethisassistance.Institutedaco‐lytes,wheretheyareavailable,canassistinthismanneraswell.(GIRM ,nos. 2 & 40.a;andNDRHC,no. 4).

ProceduralGuidelines

I. Reverence,CleanlinessandAttire

ExtraordinaryMinistersofHolyCommunionshouldshowareverencefortheEucharist.Thatreverenceisre lectedintheirdemeanoratMass(full,activeandconsciouspar‐ticipation(CSL,no.14),theirattireandthemannerinwhichtheyhandletheEucharist(NDRHC,no.29).Anindi‐vidualshouldbecleanandneat,freeofexcessiveper‐fumes,colognesormake‐up.Nailsshouldbegroomedandclean.Aneatandreverentialappearanceisinkeepingwiththeminister’sroleandbeliefinthepresenceofChristintheEucharist.TheMinster’sattireshouldnotdetractfromthatrole.

II. Handwashing

ItisimportantfortheEMHCtowashhisorherhandsaftercheckingintothesacristyfortheirassignment.Duringwintermonthswhencoldsand luareprevalent,itismostappropriatetosanitizeoneshandsinthepewbeforeapproachingthealtarinanunobtrusivemanner.

 

 

 

 

“By virtue of his sacred ordination, the 

bishop or priest offers the sacrifice in 

the person of Christ, the Head of the 

Church.  He receives gifts of bread and 

wine from the faithful, offers the 

sacrifice to God, and returns to them 

the very Body and Blood of Christ, as 

from the hands of Christ himself.  Thus 

bishops and priests are considered the 

ordinary ministers of Holy 

Communion.” 

“In addition the deacon who assists 

the bishop or priest in distributing 

Communion is an ordinary minister of 

Holy Communion.  When the Eucharist 

is distributed under both forms, ‘the 

deacon himself administers the 

chalice.’” 

“In the distribution of Communion the 

priest may be assisted by other priests 

who happen to be present.  If such 

priests are not present and there is a 

truly large number of communicants, 

the priest may call upon extraordinary 

ministers to assist him.”1 

 

Norms for the Distribution and 

Reception of Holy Communion under 

Both Kinds in the Dioceses of the 

United States of America, #26 

 

1‐General Instruction of the Roman 

Missal, #162 

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ProceduralGuidelinescontinued

III.ArrivalandSeating

ExtraordinaryMinistersofHolyCommunionshouldarriveattheirparishwellbeforethebeginningofMass.Theyshouldfollowthecheck‐inprocedurethatisnormativefortheirparishandthenbeseatedamongstthecongregation.Theyshouldchooseseatingthatallowsforeaseofexitandnearthealtarsoasnottodisturbotherswhentheycomeforwardatcommuniontime.EMHCarecalledfromthecom‐munityandaremembersofthecommunitycalledtoserveinaparticularliturgicalministry.

IV.PreparationoftheBreadandWine

CarefulpreparationoftheEucharisticbreadandwineisimportant.Thereshouldnotbealargeamountofhostsconsecrated,onlywhatisneededfortheliturgy.Thesameistrueforthepreparationofwine.Itisimportanttohaveenough,butnottoomuch.

Thewineandhostsshouldbesetoutinvesselsthatareappropriateinnumber,kindandsize.A lagonandonelargepatensigni iestheonebreadandonecupbywhichwearegatheredintothe“oneBodyofChrist,alivingsacri iceofpraise”(NDRHC,no32).Thesearetobetakentothebackofthechurch,andplacedonatableinordertobebroughtforwardbymembersofthecongregationduringthePrepara‐tionoftheGifts.ThiswineisthenpouredintoadditionalchalicesonthealtarpriortotheEucharisticPrayer.

IfthecongregationatanygivenMassisgreat,asinglelargehostmaybeusedforthebreakingofthebreadwithothersmallhostsprovidedforthefaithful.

V. ApproachingtheAltar,ReceivingHolyCommunion&theSacredVessels

LocalparishcustomsdictatewhentheExtraordinaryMinistersofHolyCommunionapproachthealtaraswellaswheretheyshouldstandandwait.Onlythecelebrantandconcelebrantsmayself‐Communicate.AccordingtotheGIRM,thefollowinghierarchyexistsinthereceptionofCommunion:

Priestconcelebrants(GIRM2002,nos.159,242‐4,246)

Deacons(GIRM2002,nos.182,244,246)

EMHC(GIRM2002,no.284)

OtherciborianeededfortheCommunionRite(fromthetabernacle)aretobeplacedonthealtarduringtheFractio(breakingofthebread)attheLambofGod.AfterwardsadditionalvesselsneededforthedistributionofHolyCommunionarealsobroughttothealtar.ThedeaconorthepriestwillplacetheconsecratedHostsintotheciboriafordistributiontothecongregation.Inordertoexpeditethisprocess,thepresidermaycallupontheassistanceofdeaconsorconcelebratingpriests.Allofthisoccursatthealtar.

Ideally,HolyCommunionshouldnotbedistributedfromciboriawhichhavebeenreservedinthetaber‐nacle.Again,asageneralrule,enoughhostsandwineforthoseassembledshouldbeconsecratedateachMass(GIRM2002,no.85;NDRHC,no30andEM,no.31).

OncetheEMHChavereceivedHolyCommunion,thepresiderhandsthevesselscontainingtheBodyandBloodofChristtothedeaconsandtheEMHCwhowillassistwiththedistributionofHolyCommunion.Also,thedeaconmayassistthepresiderinhandingthevesselstotheEMHC(NDRHC,no.40).TheEMHCshouldnevertakethesacredvesselsfromthealtarthemselves(NDHRC,no.38).

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VI.DistributionProcedurescontinuedAftereveryoneinthesanctuaryhasreceivedHolyCom‐munion,thepresiderandtheotherministerswalktotheirassignedstationstodistributeHolyCommuniontothecon‐gregation.AllwhopresentthemselvestoreceiveHolyCommunionshouldbegivenit.TheEMHCisnottodenyanyoneCommunion.Shouldaquestionablepersonpresenthim/herselftoreceivetheEucharist,theyaretobegivenitatthattime.Anyquestionsofproprietyorscandal,shouldbereferredtothepastorafterMass.WhenHolyCommunionisofferedunderbothspecies,thecupisalwaystobeadministeredbyanordinaryministerorEMHC.Thecupisnottobeleftonthealtarforself‐communicationbytheassembly(GIRM2002,no.160;NDRHC,nos.44&50).Eachcommunicantmakeshis/herowndecisionwhethertoapproachtheministerforthere‐ceptionofthePreciousBlood.Remember,Jesusistotalitypresentinboththehostandthecup.AsasignofreverencefortheLord,presentintheEucharist,personscomingforwardtoreceiveCommunionaretomakeasignofreverencebeforereceivingHolyCommunion.TheBishop’sConferenceoftheUnitedStateshasdeterminedthatthecommunicantshouldbowtheirheadbeforereceiv‐ingHolyCommunion(GIRM2002,no.160).ThisgestureexpressesourreverenceandhonortoChristwhocomestousasspiritualfood.WhenCommunionisreceivedunderbothspecies,thissignofreverenceisalsomadebeforere‐ceivingthePreciousBlood.A. GivingtheHost:“TheBodyofChrist”WhenacommunicantreceivestheBodyofChrist,heorshewill irstmakeasignofreverence.Then,theministerholdstheHostslightlyabovethevesselforthecommunicanttoseeandlooksatthecommunicantwhileclearlysaying“The

BodyofChrist.”Thecommunicantresponds,“Amen.”TheministerthengivesHolyCommunion,re‐spectingtheoptionofthecommunicanttoreceiveeitherinthehandoronthetongue(GIRM2002,nos.161,284‐7).Ifthecommunicantforgetstomakeasignofreverence,donotwithholdCommunion.B. GivingtheCup:“TheBloodofChrist”Similarly,whenacommunicantcomestoreceivetheBloodofChrist,heorshewill irstmakeasignofreverence.Theministerwillthenraisethechaliceforthecommunicanttoseeandlookatthecommuni‐cantwhileclearlysaying“TheBloodofChrist.”Thecommunicantresponds,“Amen.”Theministerthengivesthecuptothecommunicantwhotakesitentirelyintohis/herhands,drinksfromitandreturnsittotheminister.Thentheministerwipestherimofthechalice(insideandout)withthepuri icator,andturnsthecupbeforeofferingittothenextindividual.(GIRM2002,nos.161,284‐7;NDRHC,nos.43&45).Makesuretousecleanpartsofthepuri icatoreachtimeyouwipethechalice.

Christ is present in the assembly.

Christ is present in me.

Christ is present in the bread and

wine I partake.

I BELIEVE

AMEN

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VI.DistributionProcedurescontinuedRemember,notallpersonswillreceiveboththeSacredHostandthePreciousBloodduetoapersonalpreferenceoramedicalcondition.(Celiacdiseaseandalcoholismiscoveredintheappendix).ItisimportanttoknowwhattheprotocolsareforyourparishinregardstoreturningtothesanctuaryafteryouhavecompleteddistributingCommunion.Someparishesmayhaveyouassistanotherminis‐ter,whileotherswillaskthatyoureturntothesanctuaryonceeveryoneinyoursectionhasreceived.AnyremainingHostsaretobeconsumedorreservedinthetabernacle(NDRHC,no.51;CodeofCanonLaw,§939).IfanyPreciousBloodremainsinthechalices,itmustbeconsumeduponreturningtothesanctuaryinorderforthesacredvesselstobepuri ied.Ifyoucannotconsumetheamountremaining,pleaseseeanotherministertoassistyouwiththattask.ThePreciousBloodisnevertobepouredintotheSacrariumorintheground.(NDRHC,no.55).UponcompletionofyourministryyoushouldreverencethealtarwithabowandreturntoyourseatinthecongregationtoparticipateintheremainderoftheLiturgy.VII.Puri icationofSacredVesselsThechaliceandothervesselsusedforthedistributionofHolyCommunionmaybetakentothecredencetablewheretheyarepuri ied.Onlyapriestoradeaconmaypurifytheliturgicalvessels.VIII.AdditionalDutiesUsuallyonceHolyCommunionhasbeendistributed,yourministryasanEMHCiscomplete.Dependingontheneedsofyourparish,yourpastormayaskyoutoassistafterMasswithcleanuporbringHolyCommuniontothehomeboundandsickinyourparish.RememberthateverytaskyoudoisdoneinloveforourEucharisticLord.Theministryyouprovideisablessingtoyourparish,andhopefullyagreatblessingtoyouspirituallyaswell!

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ExtraordinaryMinistersofHolyCommunion

totheSickandHomebound

AnotheropportunitytoserveyourparishisbybringingHolyCommuniontothesickandhomebound.Thisisaveryspecialministry,aministrywithinaministry,asitnotonlyprovidesthosewhoarehomeandunabletocometoMasstheopportuni‐tytoreceiveHolyCommunion,butalsolendsaspecialconnec‐tionwiththeirparishcommunity.Beforeyoudecidetosay“yes”tothisministry,youneedtoprayerfullyconsiderifitissomethingyouarebothcalledandcomfortablewithdoing.Personsengagedinthisministryshouldbe:

1. Comfortablegoingintovarioustypesofhomesituationsandsettings.Rememberthatyoumaybeaskedtovisitboththepoorandtherich,andaccordinglytheenvironmentswillbedifferent.

2. Comfortablewithbeingaroundsickpeople.Oftenpeoplewhoarehomeboundareunabletodothingsthatmostofustakeforgranted.Youmayseeandsmellthingsthatmaybeunpleasant.

3. Abletoministertopersonsofvariousculturesandraces,treatingeveryonethesameasabrotherorsisterintheLord.

4. Bewillingtotaketimeoutofyourownscheduleinordertoaccommodateavisitationtimethatworksforthehomeboundperson.ThismaymeanattendinganotherMassatadifferenttimeordayinordertodoso.

Ifthisissomethingthatquickensyourheart,itisawonderfulopportunitytobringJesusinatangiblewayintothehomesofthosewhoareillandhomebound.

ProceduralGuidelines

ItisgoodpracticefortheExtraordinaryMinistersofHolyCommuniontothehomeboundtobesentforthfromtheirparishaftertheCommunionRiteiscompletedtobringtheEucharisttothoseathome.Thisallowsforavisualconti‐nuityforthoseintheparishtoseeandbeunitedwiththeirbrothersandsisterswhocannotbeattheSundayEucharisticLiturgy.Italsoshowsthattheministrybeingprovidedisbeingdonesoonbehalfofandwiththebless‐ingoftheChurch.

EachparishmaydecidehowtheywishtosendforththeirExtraordinaryMinisters,butitisgoodpracticeforthepresidingpriesttocallthemforth,blessthemandsendthemouttointothecommunity.TheEMHCshouldleavethechurchimmediatelyfortheircars.Afterabriefperiodofsilence,theMasscontinueswiththeConcludingRiteanddismissalofthepeople.

Brothersandsisters,

Thisassemblydismissesyoutobringthe

Eucharistfromthiscelebrationtoour

brothersandsisterswhoaresick,

elderly,andunabletobeherewithus.

SharewiththemtheScripturereadings

fromtoday’scelebrationandassure

themthatweareprayingforthem.Ask

themtoprayfortheconcernsofthis

communityaswell.

Goinpeace.

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ProceduralGuidelinescontinued

1. AfteryouaredismissedfromMass,takeanypossessionsyoumayhaveinthepew,alongwiththepyxcontainingtheEucharisttoyourcar.Youshouldgoimmediatelytotheperson’shomewhichyouwillbevisiting.Itisgoodpracticetocontactthemadayortwopriortoyourarrival.Thiswillallowthemtimetomakeanynecessarypreparationsforyourvisit.

2. Donotstopanywhereontheway.ThisisnotagoodtimetograbaBigMac!RememberthattheLordisaccompanyingyouonthisjourney.

3. RetainreverenceforthepresenceoftheLord.Donotturnontheradioorplaymusic.Thedriveisagoodtimeforyoutoprepareforyourvisitprayerfullyandsilently.

4. Whenyouarrive,keepvisitingtoaminimum.Doinquireintotheperson’shealthandbecordial.Askanyvisitorsormembersofthefamilyiftheywishtoreceivecommunionalongwiththepersonyouarevisitingand/ortoparticipateintheritual.Rememberthatyouareaguestintheirhome.

5. IfpossibleyoumaywishtoprepareasmalldevotionalspacepriortodistributingHolyCommunionwithacruci ixandcandles.Youmaywanttobringacorporalwithyouonwhichtoplacethepyx.Beawarethattheuseofoxygenprohibitsopen lames.

6. Havewateravailableforthepersontomoistentheirmouth.RememberthattheruleforabstainingfromfoodanddrinkforonehourpriortoreceivingHolyCommuniondoesnotapplyincasesofill‐ness.(Canon919)

7. Politelyaskthemifyouoranotherpersoncanturnoffthetelevisionorradio.Oncethevisitiscom‐pleted,offertoturnitbackonagain.

8. WashyourhandsbothbeforeandafterdistributingHolyCommunion.

9. Followthe“MinistrytotheSick”bookletprovidedbytheOf iceforDivineWorship.

10.SharethereadingsofthedayfromMass.Youwillwanttochooseone,usuallytheGospelisagoodchoice.

11.Priortoleaving,inquireifthepersonneedsanything.Bringalongtheparishbulletinandotherin‐formationfromtheparishandleaveitwiththem.Askthemiftheyneedanythingelsefromthepar‐ish(i.e.receivingtheSacramentofReconciliation)andmakeanotetoinformtheparishpriestifnec‐essary.

12.Ifyouhaveotherpersonstovisit,keepthevisitwithinatimelimit.Thankthemforallowingyoutocomeandaskthemiftheywantanothervisit.Thisisagoodtimetosetupaschedule.Rememberthatyoumaybetheonlypersontheyhaveseeninawhile!

13.Whenyourvisitationscheduleiscomplete,followyourparish’sprotocolaboutwhattodowithanyremaininghosts.Youmayeitherreturnthemtothetabernacleorconsumethem.Youareneverto“keep”theEucharistathomeorinthecar.

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Conclusion

ServingasanExtraordinaryMinsteroftheEucharist,whetherintheparishorinthehomenotonlypro‐videsgreatassistancetoyourparish,butitalsoinvitesyoutoliveaEucharisticlifeinwhichyouhavebeenblessed,brokenandgivenforothers.Servinginthisministrydoesnotmakeyoubetterthanoth‐ersinyourparish.Insteaditcallsyoutore lectonyourownbrokenness,yourownneedforconversionandyourownhungerfortheful illmentoftheKingdom.Youarecalledtocontinualselfknowledgeandgrowthinyourownspirituallifewiththerealizationthatyouare“notthere”,butonthejourneywithyourbrothersandsisters.And,itisthroughthisministrythatyouarecalledtohealandbehealed.MayGodblessyouforyourcouragetobeginandstaythecourse!

APrayerforExtraordinaryMinisters

ofHolyCommunion

TakemeLordandtransformmewitheachHolyCommunionIgive,andeachIreceive.

Allowmetobecomeasignofhealingandhopeinmyparishandmycommunity.

Lord,Iamnotworthytoreceiveyou.

Lord,Iamnotworthytoshareyou,toholdyouinmyhands,totrulytouchyou,Body,Soul&Divinity.

Yet,youhavesaidtheword,andIhavebeenhealed.Ihavebeenchosen.Maymylifebecomeasymbolofthe

Eucharist.

Foritisinbeingformed,thatIamtransformed.

Itisinbeingbroken,thatIamhealed.

And,itiswhenIgivethatIbecometherecipientofyourlife,yourlove,andyourpeace.

Amen

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Appendix

GlossaryofLiturgicalTerms 13‐14

CeliacDisease&Communion 15‐16

Mustum 17

ApprovedDistributersofLowGlutenHosts&Mustum 18

Accidents 19

FrequentlyAskedQuestions&Answers 20‐21

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Altar Atableinthesanctuaryofachurch,usually ixedinplace,atwhichthecentralpartoftheMassiscelebrated.Themensa,ortabletop,isusuallymadeof inestonesuchasmarbleorgranite,butpossiblyalsoofwood.

Ambo ThelecterninthesanctuaryfromwhichtheScriptureread‐ingsareread.

Celebrant ThepriestorbishopleadingtheassemblyinaMassisoftencalledthecelebrant.HecelebratesorpresidesattheEucha‐risticliturgy.

Chalice AstemmedcupusedonthealtaratMasstoholdthewinethatisconsecratedintothebloodofChrist.Thechaliceisusuallytobemadeof,oratleastplatedwith,a inemetalsuchasgold,atleastontheinnerliningofthecup.IfCom‐munionistobedistributedunderbothkinds,theremaybeseveraldrinkingvesselsofwineonthealtarduringtheLit‐urgyoftheEucharist.Itisalsoacceptabletorefertoanychaliceasacup.

Ciborium(Ciboriaplural) AlargecontainermadeofpreciousmetalthatholdsthehoststobeconsecratedforCommunion.AciboriumwiththeBodyofChristispresentedtoministerstodistributeHo‐lyCommunionfrom.Covered,itholdstheBlessedSacra‐mentinthetabernacle.

Communicant Thepersonpresentinghim/herselfforwardtoreceiveHolyCommunion.

Corporal AlargerlinenclothwhichisplacedonthealtarduringMassfortheliturgicalvesselstosetupon.ItisalsousedduringotherliturgicalcelebrationsthatinvolvetheinclusionoftheBlessedSacrament.

CredenceTable Asmallsidetableinthesanctuary.Itisusedtoholdtheli‐turgicalvesselsneededforHolyCommunionaswellasanyotheritemsthatmaybeneededforthatliturgy.

Eucharist ThepropernamefortheconsecratedbreadandwinewhicharethebodyandbloodofChrist.OftenCatholicswillrefertotheEucharistitself,especiallytheconsecratedbread,asCommunionorholyCommunion.

EucharisticLiturgy AnothertermfortheMass.

Host AcommontermusedfortheroundsofunleavenedbreadconsecratedduringMasstobecometherealbodyofChrist.Hostcanbeusedtodescribesuchbreadbothbeforeandaf‐teritsconsecration—althoughinCatholicbelief,followingtheconsecrationthebreadremainsonlyanappearance,whileitssubstancehasbeenchangedintotheactualbodyofChrist.

Glossary of Liturgical Terms

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Glossary of Liturgical Terms continued

Liturgy Ageneraltermforallthechurch’sof icialactsofworship.ItincludestheMass,anycelebrationsofthesacraments,andtheLiturgyofHours.

LiturgyoftheEucharist ThepartoftheMassinwhichthecelebrantconsecratesthebreadandwineandthepeoplereceiveHolyCommunion.

Paten AplatemadeofpreciousmetalthatholdsthelargePresid‐er’shostforconsecration.

SacredVessels Thechalice,ciboria,andpatenusedtoholdtheconsecratedbreadandwine.Theymustbemadeoutofpreciousmetalsandshouldnotbeglass,potteryorwood.

Sacristy AsideroominthechurchwherethecelebrantandotherministersprepareforMass.

Sanctuary Theareaofthechurchthatholdsthealtar,amboandcele‐brant’schair.

Purify ThetermusedforcleansingthesacredvesselsafterHolyCommunion.

Puri icator AlinenclothusedtocatchanyofthePreciousBloodthatmaydripfromthechalice.ItisusedtowipethechaliceaftereachcommunicantreceivesHolyCommunion.

Pyx AcoveredcontainedusedforbringingHolyCommuniontothesickandhomebound.

Sacrarium Asinkinthesacristythatdrainsdirectlytotheground.Usedfordisposalofwateraftercleansingsacredvessels.

RomanMissal AbookcontainingtheprayersoftheMass,butnottheread‐ingsfromScripture.Theof icialbookusedbythecelebrantatthealtar.

Lectionary ThebookofreadingsfromScripture,arrangedaccordingtowhatreadingsaretobereadatanyparticularMassthrough‐outtheyear.

Tabernacle AsacredandsecurecontainerinwhichtheciboriumwiththeBodyofChristisreservedforCommuniontothesick,viaticum,andEucharisticdevotion.Aburningcandleisputnearthetabernacle,tosignalthattheEucharis‐ticLordispresentinthetabernacle.AsasignofreverencefortherealpresenceofChristintheEucharist,oneshouldgenu lectorbowbythetabernaclewhentheypassinfrontofit.

Viaticum The inalHolyCommunionreceivedbyapersonneardeath.Translateditis“FoodfortheJourney”.

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Therehasbeenmuchwrittenandsharedaboutglutenandglutenfreedietsintherecentpast.Whilethishasallowedforagreaterawarenessoftheroleofgluteninone’sdiet,italsohaslenttoathinkingthatchoosingtopartakeoffoodswithglutenisachoiceoftencasuallymade.Unfortunately,thisisadisservicetothoseindividualswhosufferfromce‐liacdisease.Whatisgluten?Glutenisageneralnamefortheproteinsfoundinwheat,rye,barleyandtriticale–acrossbetweenwheatandrye.Glutenhelpsfoodsmaintaintheirshape,actingasagluethatholdsfoodtogether.Glutencanbefoundinmanytypesoffoods,evenonesthatwouldnotbeexpected.Whycan’tsomepeopleeatfoodsthatcontaingluten?Somepeople’sbodiesaregeneticallypredisposednottobeabletoabsorbglutenintheirbodiesanditcausethemharm.WhenapersonwithCeliacDiseaseeatsafoodcon‐taininggluten,theirbodyreactswithdamagetotheirsmallintestine.Ifthisisleftuntreated,apersoncanbe‐comeverysickanddevelopdiseasessuchas:typeIdiabe‐tesandmultiplesclerosis(MS),dermatitisherpetiformis(anitchyskinrash),anemia,osteoporosis,infertilityandmiscarriage,neurologicalconditionslikeepilepsyandmi‐graines,andintestinalcancers.Celiacdiseaseisanauto‐immunedisorder,andinessencethebody“attacks”itself.Whatabout“glutenintolerance”?GlutenintolerancecanbealessseriousdisorderthanCeli‐acdisease,howeverthebodystillhasan“allergy”tofoodthatcontainsglutens.Somepeopleusethetermstomeanthesame.Onlyadoctorcanindicatewhatseverityaper‐son’sdiseaseisandwhattreatmentmustbefollowed.WhatisthetreatmentforCeliacDisease?Atthistimetheonlytreatmentistotalabstainingfromallfoodscontaininggluten;thatismaintaininga100%glutenfreediet.HowdoesCeliacDiseaseaffectaperson’sabilitytoreceiveHolyCommunion?PersonswithCeliacDiseaseneedspecialpastoralcareandconcerntoreceiveHolyCommunion.Wewilllookattheconsiderationscloserindividually.ChurchTeachingon“matter”usedforHolyCommunionIn2017,theCongregationonDivineWorshipintheVaticanreaf irmeda2003letterwrittenbythenCardinalJosephRatzingertothePresidentsoftheConferenceofCatholicBishopsabouttheuseofmustum(visitedunder“Alcoholism”)andlowglutenhostsforMass(Prot.n.89/78‐17498).

Celiac Disease & Communion

Celiac disease affects 1 in 100 people

worldwide.

Two and one‐half million Americans

are undiagnosed and are at risk for

long term health complica ons.

Read more at h ps://celiac.org/

celiac‐disease/understanding‐celiac‐

disease‐2/what‐is‐celiac‐disease/

MORETHANAFAD

16

ChurchTeachingon“matter”usedforHolyCommunioncontinuedInessencethelettercapturedthefollowinginstructions:1. HoststhatarecompletelyglutenfreeareinvalidmatterforthecelebrationoftheMass.2. Hostscannotbemadeofanyothermaterialbutwheat.3. Inorderforahosttobe“validmatter”fortheEucharist,itmust“containonlywheat,containenough

glutentoeffecttheconvectionofbread,befreeofforeignmaterials,andunaffectedbyanyprepara‐tionorbakingmethodsthatwouldalteritsnature.”

4. Itisimpossibletoconsecrateahostmadeofsomethingotherthanwaterandwheat.5. IfapersoncannotconsumealowglutenhosttheymaystillreceivethePreciousBlood.TheChurch

teachesthatunderthedoctrineofconcomitance,thewholeChristisreceivedineitherspeciesofbreadorwine.(GIRM,no.282).

6. Thebishopmaygrantpermissiontopriests,deaconsandthelaitytoreceiveHolyCommunionviamustumorlowglutenhosts.

ParishPracticesfortheDistributionofHolyCommuniontothosewithCeliacDisease

Ifaparishdeterminestheneedforutilizinglowglu‐tenhostsformembersoftheirparishwithCeliacDiseasethefollowingpointsareimportanttonote:1. Lowglutenhostsmustberefrigeratedpriortoconsecrationtomaintainfreshness.Theyalsohavearelativelyshortshelflife,soitisagoodideatopur‐chaseonlytheamountthatisestimatedtobeneed‐ed.Theestimatedshelflifeisapproximatelytwo‐threemonths,butmanyhaveexpirationdatesonthem.2. Keepthelowglutenhostscompletelyseparatefromtheotherones.Priortoconsecrationuseacon‐

tainerthatholdsonlythemandhasneverbeenusedfortheregularhosts.Inpreparationforconse‐cration,placetheminapyxorciboriumthathasbeendesignatedforlowglutenhostsonly.IfthesamepersonispreparingthealtarbreadsforMass,itisextremelyimportanttokeepthemseparateandwashtheirhandspriortoworkingwiththelowglutenhosts.Crosscontaminationisarealissueandevenatraceofglutencanbelifethreateningforsomeone!

3. ItisextremelygoodpastoralpracticetomaintainaseparatechaliceofPreciousBloodforthosewithceliacdiseasetopartakeofthatisentirelyseparatefromthecupsreservedfortheregularcommuni‐cants.Parishesmaywishtochooseonethatlooksdifferentfromtheothersinordertomaintainsep‐arateness.Doctorshavedeterminedthatglutenparticlescanbeleftonthecupandforanindividualwithhighsensitivity,thiscanbedetrimental.Remembertheabovecommentoncrosscontamina‐tion.

4. Theministerservingthelowglutenhostsshouldonlytouchthosehosts.IfheorshehasreceivedHolyCommunioninthehand,theyshouldcleantheirhandswithalcoholsanitizerpriortodistrib‐utingcommunion.ThesameappliestothepersonhandlingthechaliceofPreciousBlood.

5. WhencleansingtheliturgicalvesselsusedforthosewithCeliacDisease,itisgoodpracticetomain‐tainthemseparatefromtheothers.

6. Finally,rememberthatthepersonwithCeliacDiseaseisresponsibleforcommunicatingtheirneedsandconcernswiththeirpastor.Onlythey,underdirectionfromtheirmedicaldoctorcandeterminewhatisneededinorderforthemtoreceivethePreciousBodyandBloodofJesusinasafemanner.Everypersonisdifferent,soneedsmayvaryfrompersontoperson.

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Mustum

Mustumisusedinplaceofwinewhenanindividual(usuallythepriest)suffersfromalcoholism.Thefer‐mentationprocessofthegrapejuiceissuspendedpri‐ortothealcoholcontentrisinglessthan1.0%.Mustumalsodoesnotcontainadditivesandthenatureofthegrapejuiceshouldnotbeamendedinanyway.Theuseofpasteurizedgrapejuiceorgrapejuiceinwhichalcoholhasbeenevaporatedthroughhightem‐peraturesisinvalidmatterforMass.IntheUnitedStates,itisillegaltosellwinethatdoesnotcontainsulfatesforpreservation,sotheUnitedStatesConferenceofCatholicBishopshasdetermined

thatasmallamountofsulfatesisacceptableanddoesnotinvalidatethematter.Aswithlowglutenhosts,thepermissiontousemustumforMassisunderthejurisdictionofthelocalBishop.CommunicantswhowishtoreceivethePreciousBloodcoulddiscusstheirconcernwiththeirpastor.However,mostpersonswhosufferfromalcoholismusuallyre‐frainfromreceivingthePreciousBloodandreceiveChristpresentintotalityintheSacredHost.

An estimated 3

million persons in

the United States

annually is

diagnosed with

alcoholism per the

Centers for

Disease Control

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ApprovedDistributersofLowGlutenHosts&Mustum

TheSecretariatofDivineWorshiphasapprovedthefollowingdistributerstoobtainlowglutenhostsandmustum.Anyotherdistributersnotonthelistdonotcarrytheapprovedmaterials.LowGlutenHostsBenedictineSistersofPerpetualAdoration,AltarBreadsDepartment 31970StateHighwayP Clyde,MO64432‐8100 1‐800‐223‐2772 www.BenedictineSisters.orgParishCrossroads POBox2413 Kokomo,IN46904 1‐800‐510‐8842 www.ParishCrossroads.comCavanaghCompany 610PutnamPike Greenville,RI02828 1‐800‐635‐0568 www.CavanaghCo.comMustumMontLaSalleAltarWines 605TrancasStreet,SuiteD Napa,CA94558 1‐800‐447‐8466 www.MontLaSalleAltarWines.comMonksWineandCandles POBox681248 Schaumburg,IL60168 1‐800‐540‐6665 www.MonksWineAndCandles.com

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Accidents

Despiteourbestintentions,reverenceandcare,aHostmayfalltothegroundorsomeofthePreciousBloodmayspill.Ithappenstothebestofus,andwhileitisdismaying,itisanaccident,somethingthathappenstohumanbeingseverynowandthen.IfanaccidentoccurswiththeConsecratedHostinchurch,youhaveoptions.IfeitheryouorthecommunicantdropstheHost,youcanpickitup,takeittothealtarandplaceitonthecorporal(tobedealtwithafterCommunion).Youalsohavetheoptiontoconsumeitrightthere,orholditinthesamehandthatyouareholdingtheciboriumforlaterdisposal.AfteryouhavecompleteddistributingCommunion,youcaneitherconsumeitorbringittothealtarforthepriestordea‐contoconsume.

Shouldanaccidentoccurwhilevisitingahome,youshouldneverconsumethehost.Takeitandwrapitinapapertowelandplaceitaside.Youwillwanttodissolveitinwaterandpouriteitherintoyourparish’sSacrariumorinthegroundwherethereisminimaltraf ic.Askyourparishpriestwhichoptionhewouldlikeyoutofollowshouldthisoccur.IfanaccidentoccurswiththePreciousBlood,theministershouldcoverthespillagewithapuri icator,irstaskingthecommunicanttoproceedtoanotherministerofthecup.Cleanupthespaceasbestyoucanwiththepuri icator.AfterMass,theareashouldbewashedwithadampcleanpuri icator.Cleantowelsshouldbeusediftheareaislarge.TheclothsarerinsedandthenwrungintheSacrarium.Rememberthataccidentsoccur,andourLordcompletelyunderstandsthat.Hewashumantoo!

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FrequentlyAskedQuestions&Answers

Youhavequestions,wehaveanswers.HerearethetopquestionsthatEHMChaveasked.

1. IhavenoticedthatsomepeoplecomeupduringCommunionwantingnottoreceivetheEucharist,butratherablessing.WhatdoIdoifthathappenstome?

The2004DirectivefortheImplementationoftheGeneralInstructionoftheRomanMissalintheDio‐ceseofColumbusissuedbyBishopJamesGrif instates“TheGeneralInstructionmakesnoprovisionfortheCommunionministertogivenon-communicantsablessing.Whilethispracticemaybeappealingtosomepeople,itisconfusingandrunstheriskofdiminishingtheuniqueimportanceofCommunion.There-fore,itistobediscouraged.”Additionally,theBookofBlessings#18andCanonLawdictatesthatwithinthecontextoftheMass,laypeopleareunabletogiveblessingsasthatisthejurisdictionofthepriest(1169,#2).Thisissomethingthatneedscatechesisintheparishsetting,andshouldsomeoneapproachyou,youmayjustwishtosmileandnodatthemastheystandbeforeyou.2. Whycan’tacommunicantdipthehostintothePreciousBlood?Ihavehadsomepeopletrytodo

that.AlthoughdescribedintheNormsfortheDistributionandReceptionofHolyCommunionUnderBothKindsintheDiocesesoftheUnitedStatesofAmerica(no.49),thepracticeofreceivingHolyCommunionbyintinction(dippingtheHostinthePreciousBlood)isdiscouraged.ThispracticeseemstostandincontrasttoJesus’commandto“takeanddrink”(GIRM2002,no.281).Additionally,thisisseenasaformofself‐communication,whichisstrictlyforbidden.Communionundereitherform,breadorwine,mustbegivenbytheminsterofHolyCommunion(NDRHC,no.50).Ifsomeoneattemptstodointinc‐tion,holdthechaliceandinvitethemto irstconsumetheHost.Whentheydoso,presentthePreciousBloodtothem.Ifthepersonasks“Whycan’tI,explainthatitisnotdoneatyourparishandinvitethemtospeaktoapriestordeaconafterMassAlso,Mass,speaktotheparishpriestaboutyourexperiencesohecanplanondoingsomecatechesisontheproperwayofreceivingCommunionwithintheparish.3. Ihavehadalotofpeoplesaythattheywon’treceivethePreciousBloodbecausetheyareconcerned

aboutgettingsick.Itseemstomethatintinctionwouldpreventthatfearandencouragemoretopartakefromthecup.

TheUnitedStatesConferenceofCatholicBishops,SecretariatofDivineWorshiphasbeenincommunica‐tionwiththeCentersforDiseaseControl(CDC)todiscussthepotentialofpersonsobtainingcommuni‐cablediseasesfromacommoncup.TheCDChasstatedthatthey“arenotawareofanyspeci icepisodesoroutbreaksofillnessthathavebeenassociatedwiththeuseofacommonCommunioncup.”(USCCB,CommitteeontheLiturgyNewsletter,July/August1996).Theycautionthatproperprecautionsshouldbeutilized,suchaswipingandrotatingthecupaftereachcommunicantdrinksandhavesuggestedthatpersonswithillnessessuchasthecommoncoldand lushouldrefrainfromreceivingfromthecupwhiletheyareill.NoevidenceexiststodatethatlifethreateningillnessessuchasHIVcanbetransmittedthroughusingacommonchalice.Duringwidespread luepidemics,theBishopmaydeterminethattheuseofthecupistobesuspendedforaspeci iedtimeuntiltheillnesswanes.

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FrequentlyAskedQuestions&Answerscontinued5. WhatshouldIdoifIrunoutofenoughHostsorPreciousBloodandIstillhavealineofpeoplewait‐

ingtoreceive?Thisisagoodquestiontoaskatyourparishtraining.Therearemanywaystohandlethis.Someparish‐eswillsuggestthatifyouaredistributingtheHost,youcanbreakitinhalforinsmallerpiecesandcon‐tinuedistributing.YoucanalsotakesomeHostsfromanotherminister’sciboriumifitappearsthattheywillnotneedtheamounttheyhave.Hostsmayalsobetakenoutofthetabernacleandusedfordistri‐butionduringMassifneeded.RegardingrunningoutofthePreciousBloodduringdistribution,determineduringyourparishtrainingwhatyourpastor’spracticeis.Insomeparishes,anotherministercanpoursomeintoyourcupiftheyhavesomeavailableorgiveyoutheircupiftheyare inisheddistributingCommunionintheirarea.Inotherparishes,thepastorwillwantyoutosimplyexplainthatyouhavenomorePreciousBloodtodis‐tributeandtoplacetheemptycuponthecredencetableandreturntoyourpew.BeawarethatmanypastorsarenotcomfortablewithEMspouringthePreciousBloodfromonecuptoanotherduringthedistributionofCommunionduetotheriskofspilling.Alsorememberunderthedoctrineofconcomi-tance,thewholeChristisreceivedineitherspeciesofbreadorwine(GIRM,no.6²6).6. IamawarethattherearepeoplereceivingHolyCommunionwhoshouldn’tbe.Iftheycometome

forCommunioncanIrefusethem?Absolutelynot.ItisnotyourdecisiontogiveortorefuseCommuniontoanyone.Whensomeoneap‐proachesyou,yougivethemCommunioningoodfaith,trustingintheLord’smercyandgoodness.ThatpersonmaywellhavebecomefullyreconciledwiththeChurchwithoutyourknowledge.AfterMassyoumayspeaktoyourpastoraboutyourconcern.Itisforhimtoapproachthepersonandspeaktothem,notyou.7. IamscheduledtoassistwithMassand/ortobringCommuniontothehomebound,butIamnotfeel‐

ingwell.Idon’twanttoletFather/thepersondown,whatshouldIdo?Stayhome!Youneedtotakecareofyourselfsoyoucantakecareofothers.Letyourpastororministrycoordinatorknowasfarinadvancethatyoucannotful illyourassignmentsotheycanmakealternateplans.Nevervisitasick/homeboundpersonifyouareillorfeelinglikeyouare“comingdownwithsomething;”youareputtingthematriskofgettingsick,andtheyareofteninacompromisedstateofhealth.8. IaminterestedinbringingHolyCommuniontothesickinahospitalornursinghome.WhatdoI

needtodo?ServingasanEMHCinaninstitutionalhealthcaresettingisoftenspeci ictothefacility.Ifthisissome‐thingyouareinterestedin,check irstwithyourpastor.HemayhaveanEMHCteaminplacethatservesaparticularfacilitythatyoumightbeabletojoin.Iftheparishdoesnothaveadirectarrange‐mentwithahealthcarefacility,youshouldcontactitsChaplain’sOf iceandletthemknowyouareinter‐estedinvolunteeringthere.Theycangiveyouallthedetailsorarrangeforyoutospeaktotheproperpersons.Youwillneedtofollowthatinstitution’sguidelinesregardingprivacyandcon identiality,in‐fectioncontrolandneedededucationalormedicalrequirements(likehavingaTBtestdone).TheOf‐iceforDivineWorshiphasGuidelinesfortheDistributionofHolyCommunionintheHospital,ExtendedCareFacilityorNursingHomeSettingaswellasRitecardsthatwillassistyouinthisministry.

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Of iceforDivineWorshipDioceseofColumbus

2017