Extraordinary Minister of Communion Training Guidelines St. Johns, Grand Marais and Holy Rosary, Grand Portage.
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
What an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion does:
As Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, we participate in one of the most awe-inspiring ministries available to the laity. Our mission is simple: deliver the Eucharist to Christ's people as expeditiously and as reverently as possible. It is the Eucharist, not us, that is at the core of the ministry. (Note: after the Consecration the bread and wine are no longer bread and wine but the Body and Blood of Christ, we should refer to them as the “Body of Christ and the Blood of Christ”)
The Basics
Focus on the right things. The focus of the Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion’s attention is always on the two aspects of the Body and Blood of Christ:
We should try to minimize all other distractions, including conversation while on the Altar. We should focus on the interaction of the Holy Spirit, through the minister, with each person who comes forward for Communion.
An important duty of an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion is to honor the serving schedule. A schedule is sent to you. Check your scheduled dates, calendar them and arrange for a substitute if a conflict prevents you from serving. All assigned ministers must arrive 10 minutes before the start of Mass.
Ministry Procedures
1. Ministers should sit near the center aisle. So as to avoid any confusion of distinct ministerial roles, the Extraordinary Minister is not to approach the altar before the priest has received Communion. Since the step into the sanctuary is very close to the altar, the extraordinary minister should wait among the assembly in the pews. Once the priest has received Communion then they may come forward. Ministers will proceed to the center of the altar, bow reverently and proceed to the left side of altar.
2. Ministers are to stand close to the altar. The order is (from right to left) Deacon, (Minister of the Cup if no Deacon is present), Minister of the Body of Christ, and second Minister of the Cup. The Deacon will most always be the Minister of the Cup.
3. The priest will administer the Body of Christ to each minister. He will return to the altar and bring the cup to the Deacon or if the Deacon is absent then the 1st minister. The Deacon or first Minister will administer the Cup to the other Minister. The Priest or Deacon will distribute the vessels to the remaining ministers.
4. Upon receiving their vessels, Ministers of the Cup will go to the side aisle. Minister of the Body of Christ will be in the center aisle.
Be sure to stand to ensure a smooth flow of communicants. Cups should stand far
away from the ciboria to eliminate bunching up of recipients.
5. Make eye contact with the communicant. Elevate the host before each communicant and say “the Body of Christ”. Then place the host in the hand or on the tongue of the communicant. Intinction is not permitted in the Diocese of Duluth. Lift the Cup before each communicant and say “the Blood of Christ”.
6. Ministers of the cups are to use their purificator to wipe the inside and outside of the cup, turn the Cup ¼ turn before presenting the cup to the next communicant. Be sure to open the purificator fully and try to use a fresh section of the cloth each time you wipe the cup. When you are finished distributing the Precious Blood, take the cup to the credence table, consume any remaining Precious Blood, and place the Cup on the credence table. If there is too much Precious Blood left over for you to consume, wait for other ministers to arrive to help you.
Return to your seats.
7. If you have a ciborium, you will return it to the altar. If Father is at the altar, give the ciborium to Father. If Father has not returned to the altar, wait at the altar. If you place your ciborium on the altar place it on the corporal in the center of the altar.
8. Offer a blessing to those not receiving the Eucharist, (arms crossed across chest). “May God Bless you” Blessing: You may say: “God Bless You”; do not say the priestly blessing.
Purification
Purification of the sacred vessels takes place at the Altar by a priest or deacon.
After all have shared in Communion, any hosts that are not consumed are reserved in the tabernacle, and Ministers of the cup consume any of the consecrated wine that remains. Therefore, once all remaining elements have been reserved or consumed, the empty vessels should be placed on side credence table and suitably covered with the purificator.
Never pour consecrated wine directly into the sacrarium (sink in the sacristy) or onto the ground. Consecrated wine should be consumed. Never bury consecrated hosts into the ground or drop them into the sacrarium. Hosts or wine that cannot be eaten or drunk because of decay or contamination by inedible particles should be completely dissolved in water and that water poured into the sacrarium.
The Tabernacle. Communion is not to be distributed from the tabernacle. “The reason for which the Church reserves the Eucharist in the tabernacle outside of Mass is, primarily, the administration of viaticum to the dying and, secondarily, communion of the sick, and adoration of Christ present in the sacrament Only under rare circumstances of necessity should the assembly at Mass receive Communion from the reserved sacrament in the tabernacle. Therefore when the Priest is absent communion should not be distributed to the faithful. Communion Services will not be celebrated during the absence of a Priest.
Dress. Generally, Communion ministers “should show the greatest reverence for the Most Holy Eucharist by their demeanor, their attire, and the manner in which they handle the consecrated bread or wine” Their attire should convey a sense of reverence, dignity, and importance of the ministry they do. Liturgical ministry is a sacred action, and our dress should reflect that.
“In the dioceses of the United States, acolytes, altar servers, lectors, and other lay ministers may wear the alb or other suitable vesture or other appropriate and dignified clothing”
Frequently-Asked Questions
Is it OK for Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion ministers to not drink from the cup?
The General Norms listed in the newly revised General Instruction of the Roman Missal say the following about Communion from the cup:
Holy Communion has a fuller form as a sign when it is distributed under both kinds. For in this form the sign of the Eucharistic banquet is more clearly evident and clear expression is given to the divine will by which the new and eternal Covenant is ratified in the Blood of the Lord, as also the relationship between the Eucharistic banquet and the eschatological banquet in the Father's Kingdom. (281)
…The faithful should be encouraged to seek to participate more eagerly in this sacred rite, by which the sign of the Eucharistic banquet is made more fully evident. (282)
No one is required to share Communion from the cup. However, since the faithful are to be encouraged to do so, part of the ministry of the extra ordinary Minister of Holy Communion to offer that encouragement by example. If a minister is unable to drink from the cup on a regular basis, some discernment with the Communion minister, and the pastor, might be needed to determine if this is the best ministry for that person to exercise.
Should Communion ministers sing during Communion?
The obvious answer to this question is, “Yes, of course.” However, Communion ministers have several duties to attend to, and singing while doing them is not always so simple.
The General Instruction of the Roman Missal says this: “While the priest is receiving the Sacrament, the Communion chant is begun. Its purpose is to express the communicants’ union in spirit by means of the unity of their voices, to show joy of heart, and to highlight more clearly the ‘communitarian’ nature of the procession to receive Communion” (86). It would seem that if the purpose of singing is to express the very unity Communion is meant to accomplish, then the ministers of Communion would regard singing as one of the highest priorities of their ministry. At the very least, Communion ministers would sing the Lamb of God, at the beginning and end of the Communion song, or whenever they are not attending to their ministerial duties.
What is the minimum age to become an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion?
There is no universal minimum age to become either a lector or an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion. The overriding standards for all liturgical service are competency, maturity, and readiness. Those who are competent in the tasks of the ministry, who show the maturity required to perform the tasks with dignity and grace, and are properly formed in the duties and spirituality of the ministry should not ordinarily be excluded from serving in liturgical ministries because of age. In the Church of St, Johns and Holy Rosary, Extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion must be fully initiated (through the celebration of baptism, confirmation, and Eucharist). A commissioning ceremony will be held.
Can a lector also serve as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion?
The Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy says: “In liturgical celebrations each person, minister or layman, who has an office to perform, should do all of, but only, those parts which pertain to his office by the nature of the rite and the principles of liturgy” (28). What that means is, if you hold the “office” of lector, you would not ordinarily also hold the “office” of Communion minister or any other liturgical ministry. Many parishes do not really think of the roles of liturgical ministers (other than the priest) as “offices,” and so many people serve in more than one ministry during a liturgy. However, a central goal of the Second Vatican Council was to distribute the liturgical roles as widely as possible among the assembly to create a more powerful symbol of the various members of the Body of Christ working together to do the action of the liturgy.
There is no strict prohibition against lectors serving as Communion ministers, but it goes against the spirit and intent of the liturgical norms. The ideal would be that lectors would only be lectors, and other persons would be Communion ministers. But, unlike a priest, you aren’t necessarily bound to your office for life. After serving as a lector for a few years (or a term of “office”), a lector could resign his or her role as lector and be trained to be an extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion and vice versa.
What do I do if someone who is not Catholic comes to me for Communion?
In most cases, you should give them Communion. As Communion ministers, we are not responsible for judging who is worthy of sharing in Communion with us. We cannot know the heart or conscience of the person standing in front of us. Our primary obligation is to act as Jesus would and to be as hospitable and welcoming as possible. If you have serious concerns, speak to Father Walsh after Mass. But do not cause a disruption during the Mass by refusing Communion to anyone. If the person is unsure of what to do with the host after receiving it, kindly ask them to consume it.
What should I do if I drop a host or spill some of the Consecrated Wine?
First, don't panic. It's not the end of the world; everything will be fine. Simply pick up the dropped host. Be careful not to spill anymore hosts while you are retrieving the dropped one. You might have to stop the procession before you can pick it up. Do so courteously, remembering that Jesus is also present in the members of the assembly whom you are stopping.
If you spill some consecrated wine, and if you can manage the cup with only one hand, wipe the wine off the floor with your purificator. If your floor is carpeted, place the purificator on top of the spill and try to soak up as much of the consecrated wine as possible. If your cup is too full for you to manage this gracefully, ask another Communion minister, a server, an usher, or the next person in line to hold your cup while you take care of the spill. After wiping or soaking up the spill, ask a server to get a clean purificator. . Make note of the place where the Blood of Christ was spilled. After the Mass, this area should be washed with water and the water poured into the sacrarium.
Do I need to wash my hands?
Of course. The most appropriate time for washing your hands is before leaving your home for Mass or just before Mass begins. The usual practices of good hygiene should also be observed, such as washing your hands after using the restroom, avoiding touching your nose, mouth, or eyes with your fingers, and not coughing into your hands. Wash your hands well and often.
We have a liquid anti-bacterial gel, use this. The washing must be done as discreetly as possible. The bottle of Purell should not be part of the liturgical space by placing it on a side-table or the altar.
Communion Ministers to the Sick and Homebound
Communion Ministers to the Sick and Homebound are regularly appointed Communion Ministers assigned to the Catholic Parish of St. John and Holy Rosary. These ministers have volunteered to bring the Body of Christ to those unable to receive in any other manner. This is truly a spiritually rewarding experience for all involved. Communion is scheduled to be brought to those who are sick, in nursing homes or homebound weekly. Sunday, after masses, is the recommended time to schedule this ministry. The key to the tabernacle is in the drawer in the Sacristy, and hosts are reserved in the Tabernacle.
. At all times your ministry is subject to the condition and responsiveness of the recipient. Please make sure they are able to consume the host and, if necessary, adjust your guidelines for their comfort, understanding and convenience.
At nursing homes, if several of the residents can gather in one room for the service, it makes for a rewarding community type atmosphere. Timing of your visit is for your convenience and that of your recipients. Observe their condition and shorten or lengthen your time with them as you deem best for all. Remember, most lead a lonely life during the day and welcome the time you spend with them .Thank you for being involved in this ministry. To proclaim God's word in the midst of the assembly and to minister the Eucharist to one's fellow pilgrims are honored offices in the believing community. Those who carry Holy Communion to the sick and persons otherwise confined, therefore, continue the community's act of worship. They extend the community's embrace to include those unable to be physically present. It is most fitting that they go directly from the Sunday or daily Eucharist to the sick or homebound.
Qualifications Ministers of Communion for the sick should:
· Be appointed by the Bishop as Communion Ministers, renewable every three years
· Be sincere Catholic Christians, persons known for their goodness, who seriously follow the Christian way of life. They should be at ease with other people.
· Be faithful Catholics who have received the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist, and participate faithfully in the sacramental and liturgical life of the Church.
· Foster their own devotion to the Eucharist and show an example to the rest of the faithful by their own devotion and reverent and prayerful manner. ·
· Possess a certain degree of psychological maturity. In addition they need the ability to keep confidences and not discuss indiscriminately the condition of persons or their homes. They should be able to deal with the sick or the elderly in a compassionate, cheerful and sensitive way.
· Maintain and nourish own spiritual life and growth through such means as, daily prayer and reflection, devotions, liturgy of the hours, personal retreats, and quarterly holy hour during times of public Adoration.
· Complete initial orientation and training for Homebound Communion Ministry
· Complete Safe Environment training and paperwork. Selection of Ministers of Communion for the Sick Ministers of Communion for the sick should be chosen to reflect the diversity of the parish community, and should include individuals of various ages, social and ethnic background; of both sexes; of the married, single, and widowed state. The Christian Community who calls forth ministers of Communion for the sick must also be instructed, so that the ministry of Communion for the sick may be fully appreciated as service at the Lord's banquet
The Eucharist for Communion outside a church is to be carried in a pyx or other covered vessel.
The vesture of the minister and the manner of carrying the Eucharist should be appropriate and in accord with local circumstances. Communion must be given by the authorized minister, who shows the particle of consecrated bread to the communicants and gives it to them, saying "The Body of Christ," to which the communicants reply "Amen." There should be no variations on saying, "The Body of Christ," such as "This is the Body of Christ," "Receive the Body of Christ," etc. When distributing the Eucharist in the form of wine, say, ''The Blood of Christ."
As you begin the visit:
· Share greetings and introductions; give some ideas from the homily and the bulletin if the person shows interest in the parish.
· After listening to the conditions and desires of the person who is sick, ask if the person desires Communion at this time. Invite the family to receive Communion also. Choose a Scripture reading suited to the person. Be aware of the need for short and comforting passages. The readings and the homily should help those present to reach a deeper understanding of the mystery of human suffering in relation to the paschal mystery of Christ.
The Rite:
Pace the ritual with sensitivity. Be aware of the sick person's ability to follow. Adapt to the situation of each visit. If the family suggests setting a simple table with candles, and holy water, agree with this but do not insist upon it when the family is not ready or unfamiliar with the practice.
Give a small portion of the host to a person who has difficulty swallowing.
Check with the nurse or doctor in cases of special feeding.
Wait for the person to swallow the host. Offer water if necessary. Be prepared with a cloth if the person may have problems. If the person cannot consume solid material, they may be given the Eucharist in the form of wine, most easily through a small syringe or with a spoon that must be purified afterwards.
Take time to pray reverently and to be present with the sick person and the family. Be sensitive to the proper time to depart.
Practical Considerations for Ministers of Communion for the Sick.
Know that the relationship with the person who is sick is a key factor. The minister brings the comfort and the concern of Christ. Be aware of feelings that may arise when you enter a person's home or room, the person's appearance, hospital equipment; the environment. When it is difficult to" look at the person because of their physical condition, concentrate on their eyes. Take proper time for introduction and personal sharing. Listen attentively
If you are uncertain or suspect sensitive conditions, check with the family or the nurse for more information. Be sensitive to feelings of loneliness and depression. Consider the situation and desires of the person who is sick and make decisions based on this information before beginning the Communion rite. Be prepared in the face of refusal or rejection by either the person who is sick or by a family member. Be ready to offer modified services in such cases. If the person does not wish to share Communion at this time, ask if they would like to share in a short blessing prayer. Do not try to solve problems. If the sick wish to celebrate the sacrament of penance, encourage them or the family to be in contact with Father Walsh. You might also offer to relay the message yourself. Keep confidences at all times.
Questions Most Commonly Asked about Bringing Communion to the Sick and Homebound
1. When do I take Holy Communion to the sick person? It is best to bring Holy Communion directly from the community's celebration of Eucharist in the church to the person in the home. If this is not reasonable, please bring it as soon as possible, showing respect for the presence of Christ, avoiding any activity not in keeping with the reverence due the Blessed Sacrament.
2. If bringing Holy Communion is only part of my visit with the sick or homebound person, should prayer and Communion be at the beginning or end of our time together? There is no set rule but most people find it more comfortable to spend some time in conversation before sharing prayer and Holy Communion. The conversation could include ideas from the homily and reassurance that the parish community prayerfully supports that person. If the sick or homebound person prefers time for private devotion, it is suggested that you visit before prayer and indicate that you will leave immediately after distribution of Communion so as to allow time for quiet reflection and devotion. This respects the privacy of the person while also honoring the importance of communal prayer as part of Eucharist.
3. What prayers do I say when I bring Holy Communion to the sick? It is best to follow the prayers in the Communion for the sick booklet that is the official rite of the Catholic Church. Since your focus should be on the needs of the sick or homebound person, you may adapt the prayers to fit the situation. Consider the person's illness, pain level, tiredness, and ability to concentrate; also be considerate of others who are responding to that person's physical needs. If longer readings are desired, you may use the scripture reading from the day or Sunday or choose any appropriate reading from the Bible
. 4. If others are present, should I invite them to pray and receive Holy Communion with the sick person? Yes, others should be invited to join in prayer. Those who are Catholic can be invited to receive Holy Communion.
5. Are the sick or homebound required to fast an hour before receiving Communion? No, those who are advanced in age or who suffer from infirmity, as well as those who take care of them, can receive the Most Holy Eucharist even if they have taken something during the previous hour.
6. What if the sick person is unable to swallow the entire host? Water may be offered to the sick person receiving Holy Communion to aid in swallowing the host. If warranted just a small portion of the host can be offered if the person is too ill to receive the entire host. The remaining portion of that host must be consumed by someone who is participating in the prayer or by you as minister of Communion. Remember that the divine presence in the Blessed Sacrament is the same regardless of the size of the portion of the host.
7. Can I receive Communion when ministering to others? Yes. But you can only receive the Eucharist twice a day and one time must be at Mass.
8. What do I do with any remaining consecrated hosts? Either consume them privately or return them to the tabernacle
9. Can I keep the Eucharist at home? No. The Eucharist can only be reserved in the Tabernacle. Arrange to pick up the Eucharist on the way to a visit and return any remaining immediately afterwards.
10. What should I do if the host is dropped or the person removes it from his/her mouth? If the host is dropped and there are no health concerns, the host may be picked up and consumed. If the dropped host presents health concerns or the person removes the host from his/her mouth, it should be dissolved in water and the water poured onto the ground in the sacrarium at church, not down a drain. Of course, if anyone declines or refuses to receive Holy Communion, you would respect this wish.
11. What do I do with the empty pyx when I am not using it to bring Holy Communion to the Sick? The pyx should be kept in a safe and respectful place when not in use. Bring the pyx to the community's celebration of Eucharist on the day of visiting the sick. Upon returning home, the Communion Minister should properly purify their pyx and consume the water used for purification. Remember, the Body of Christ is present in the tiny particles that may fall off the host and rest at the bottom of the pyx. As a result, these particles must be treated with the utmost care and concern for they are the sacred body of the Lord. A simple method for purifying a pyx is to run a small amount of water into the empty pyx, swirl the water around in order for the pyx to be fully washed, and then pour the water into a drinking glass which is then consumed by the individual purifying the pyx. Additionally, following proper purification, the pyx should be thoroughly cleaned with soap and water on the inside and out. When a minister no longer needs the pyx, it is returned to the sacristy.
12. If there is a change in the condition of the sick person. Someone can arrange for a visit and reception of the sacraments of reconciliation and anointing of the sick by the Priest.