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Ministries Report: Extraordinary Eucharistic Ministers

By Mark Price

Kraainem (04 December 2005).- Canon 910 provides: 
§1. The ordinary minister of Holy Communion is a Bishop, a priest or a deacon.
§2. The extraordinary minister of Holy Communion is an acolyte, or another of Christ's faithful deputed in accordance with canon 230§3.

From the Catholic Herald:
In November 1997, the Vatican released a document entitled On Certain Questions Regarding the Collaboration of the Non-ordained Faithful in the Sacred Ministry of the Priest (OCQ). The purpose of the document is "to provide a clear, authoritative response to the many pressing requests [concerning] new forms of ‘pastoral activity’ of the non-ordained."
One of the passages corrects something I have been doing wrong as the coordinator for this ministry:
Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist
"The ordinary minister of Holy Communion is the bishop, the priest, and the deacon. Extraordinary ministers may distribute Holy Communion at Eucharistic celebrations only when there are no ordained ministers present, or when those ordained ministers present at a liturgical celebration are truly unable to distribute Holy Communion."
Note again here that the proper term is "extraordinary minister" rather than the misnomer, "eucharistic minister." The Catechism of the Catholic Church mentions the term "eucharistic minister" only once, and only then when referring to the ordinary ministers of the eucharist, that is, the bishop, priest and deacon.

Being able to elevate my level of participation in the Mass is of great importance to me. My father, who actually studied in the seminary, was thrilled when the opportunity to serve as an Extraordinary Eucharistic Minister was first made available to him. My participation in that same ministry is a way I can honor both him and God. At the same time, I don’t see myself as being particularly devout or any more reverent than the rest of the congregation. Instead, I see it as another opportunity to serve my fellow parishioners. There is something special about looking someone in the eye and making a connection, sharing an understanding that this act sets us apart. We believe that Jesus Christ created a covenant with all of mankind in the simple act of breaking bread with his friends. Sharing in the Eucharist is our acceptance and validation of that covenant over and over again. Saying “Amen” (I believe) in response to “The Body of Christ” means you agree that in the consecration of bread and wine, Christ’s presence, which is there always, is manifested in a physical way that we can see and touch. The Body of Christ is also represented in the people of our faith who come together to celebrate Mass as a community. I enjoy the opportunity to interact with so many more of you through my service, and thereby feel so much more a part of that community. I would encourage each of you to look inside yourselves and consider joining me in that service, and in that connection to this wonderful community we have at St. Anthony’s. Since many of us are expatriates here, that community, and support it provides is all the more important.
On a more practical note, I would like to take this opportunity to ask your help even if you don’t step forward to serve in one of the many ministries. We Eucharistic Ministers see people receive the Eucharist in a wide variety of ways. The best explanation I have found comes from Bishop Higi of the Archdiocese of Lafayette, Indiana, USA:
The proper way to receive Communion in the hand is to extend hands chest high 10 to 12 inches away from the body. This is a clear signal that the communicant has chosen to receive in the hand. If right handed, the right hand is placed palm flat under the left hand. When the Body of the Lord is placed on the palm flat left hand, the right hand is used to place the host in the mouth. The obvious adjustment is made if a person is left-handed. Communicants are not to reach out and grab the host nor are they to hold their hands little finger to little finger nor are they to cup their hands.
Some additional guidance comes from a parish in Louisiana:
When you face the presider, deacon, concelebrant, or Extraordinary Eucharistic minister, indicate clearly how you wish to receive the host—whether on the tongue or in the hand.
To receive a blessing instead of Communion, cross your arms over your chest and bow your head.
To receive the host on the tongue, keep your hands folded, respond "Amen!" to "The Body of Christ," and then open your mouth and stick out your tongue all the way, so that the Communion minister can easily place the host on your tongue.
I hope that this has not come across the wrong way. I do not mean to chastise, patronize or criticize, but only ask that you consider this helpful reminder as a way to help us serve you better.

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