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
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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
/1MqtmxH