Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion If you’ve ever been to a crowded Mass, chances are you’ve seen a number of lay people distributing Holy Communion, either in the host or in the cup. Who are these people, and how did they 25 get there? These are Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion. The reason they are called that is because the clergy are the “ordinary” ministers of Holy Communion. The General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) says this: When the size of the congregation or the incapacity of the bishop, priest, or deacon requires it, the celebrant may be assisted by other bishops, priests, or deacons. If such ordinary ministers of Holy Communion are not present, “the priest may call upon extraordinary ministers to assist him, i.e., duly instituted acolytes or even other faithful who have been deputed for this purpose. In case of necessity, the priest may also depute suitable faithful for this single occasion. (GIRM 162) These ministers don’t just walk up at random. They are to receive spiritual, theological and practical preparation in order to carry out their duties with knowledge and reverence. After they first receive Holy Communion themselves, they then help distribute it to the people. For further study: USCCB Website: http://bit.ly/1MqtmxH Notes
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