Malcolm Rivera
The use of extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion is permitted by the 1983 Code of Canon Law, which states that lay people can supply certain functions of the Church, such as distributing Holy Communion, in the absence of ordained ministers. The term extraordinary distinguishes these ministers from ordinary ministers, who are typically bishops, priests, or deacons. While the term lay people does not differentiate between genders, it is important to note that the authorization of extraordinary ministers is intended for specific circumstances. The difficulty lies in determining what constitutes a case of necessity, as this decision is often left to the discretion of the diocesan bishop, guided by liturgical norms. In the United States, for example, extraordinary ministers were once allowed to purify Communion vessels, but this practice is now expressly reserved for ordained ministers. The understanding of necessity can vary, with factors such as the size of the congregation, the health or advanced age of the priest, and the potential delay in distributing Communion influencing the decision to employ extraordinary ministers.
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What You'll Learn
When extraordinary ministers are required
The use of extraordinary ministers is reserved for extraordinary circumstances and not for everyday usage. They are required when there is a genuine necessity, such as when there is a large congregation and the ordinary ministers (bishops, priests, and deacons) are not enough to distribute Holy Communion without causing undue delay. In such cases, the priest may call upon extraordinary ministers to assist him, including formally instituted acolytes or even some of the faithful who have been commissioned according to the prescribed rite.
In the United States, for example, the distribution of Communion under both kinds at Sunday Mass has been approved, and an extraordinary minister of Communion may assist the priest and deacon with the administration of the Precious Blood from the chalice. This is also the case in the Philippines, where virtually all Masses employ the use of extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion due to the large number of attendees.
Extraordinary ministers may also be required when the ordinary minister is impaired by a grave reason, such as a serious health problem or advanced age. In these cases, the extraordinary minister may administer Communion within Mass or by taking it to a sick person.
It is important to note that the role of the extraordinary minister is supplementary, and they should only be used when truly necessary. The ordinary ministers of Holy Communion, such as bishops, priests, and deacons, should always give out Communion at Mass before any supplementary ministers are used.
The choice of an extraordinary minister should be made carefully, and they should be properly trained and instructed on the limits of their office. They should be devout Catholics in good standing, and their use should not create confusion or obscure the role of the ordinary ministers.
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Who can be an extraordinary minister
An extraordinary minister of Holy Communion is a person who, in the absence of an ordinary minister (a bishop, priest, or deacon), distributes Holy Communion. They may also be referred to as an acolyte.
The 1983 Code of Canon Law states that:
> Where the needs of the Church require and ministers are not available, lay people, even though they are not lectors or acolytes, can supply certain of their functions, that is, exercise the ministry of the word, preside over liturgical prayers, confer baptism and distribute Holy Communion, in accordance with the provisions of the law.
The term "lay people" does not distinguish between men and women. In other words, any lay Catholic, regardless of gender, can be an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion.
Extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion are often used in places with a large number of attendees, such as in the Philippines, where virtually all Masses employ their use. They may be commissioned for a single occasion, a specified period, or in some permanent way in cases of necessity.
Extraordinary ministers should receive sufficient spiritual, theological, and practical preparation to fulfil their role with knowledge and reverence. They are also expected to show the greatest reverence for the Eucharist through their demeanour, attire, and the manner in which they handle the consecrated bread and wine.
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What extraordinary ministers can do
An extraordinary minister of Holy Communion in the Catholic Church is, under the 1983 Code of Canon Law, "an acolyte, or another of Christ's faithful deputed", in certain extraordinary circumstances, to distribute Holy Communion. The term "extraordinary" distinguishes such a person from the ordinary minister of Holy Communion, namely a bishop, priest or deacon. Under ordinary circumstances, only bishops, priests, and deacons may distribute Communion in the Catholic Church.
Extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion are those instituted as acolytes and the faithful so deputed in accordance with Canon 230, §3.10. A non-ordained member of the faithful, in cases of true necessity, may be deputed by the diocesan bishop, using the appropriate form of blessing for these situations, to act as an extraordinary minister to distribute Holy Communion outside of liturgical celebrations ad actum vel ad tempus or for a more stable period. The commissioning need not take a liturgical form, but an appropriate blessing, which should in no way resemble ordination, may be imparted. In special cases of an unforeseen nature, the priest celebrating Mass may grant permission for a single occasion.
The role of the extraordinary minister is to distribute Holy Communion, either within Mass or by taking it to a sick person, when an ordained minister (bishop, priest or deacon) is absent or impeded. Extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion may administer Communion only when the priest and deacon are lacking, when the priest is prevented by weakness or advanced age or some other genuine reason, or when the number of faithful coming to Communion is so great that the very celebration of Mass would be unduly prolonged. The extraordinary minister's function is to distribute Holy Communion with the proper and only permissible form for distributing Holy Communion being to offer the consecrated bread by saying, "The Body of Christ" and to offer the consecrated wine by saying, "The Blood of Christ." No other words or names should be added; and the formula should not be edited in any way.
In the United States, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion were temporarily allowed to purify the Communion vessels (such as ciboria and chalices), but this practice was expressly reserved for priests, deacons, and instituted acolytes in 2010. Due to the large number of attendees, virtually all Masses in the Philippines employ the use of extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion; commissioning of ministers and renewal of their vows is a regular occurrence.
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How extraordinary ministers should be trained
Extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion are those instituted as acolytes and the faithful so deputed in accordance with Canon 230, §3.10. They are "lay people" who are not lectors or acolytes but can supply certain functions of ordained ministers, such as distributing Holy Communion, either within Mass or by taking it to a sick person, when an ordained minister (bishop, priest, or deacon) is absent or impeded.
Extraordinary ministers should be fully initiated Catholics, at least 16 years of age, who lead a life in harmony with the undertaking of this ministry, including participating in the sacramental life of the Church. They should be aware that it is a privilege and can never be considered a right. They should also be trained and commissioned, with a time of formation to deepen their understanding of the Eucharist and the ministry they are to undertake. This training should cover how Communion is to be distributed, and it is recommended that ongoing formation and/or training be provided through annual ministry days in the parish.
The commissioning of extraordinary ministers should take place during a parish celebration according to the rite provided in the Book of Blessings. The commission is usually for three years and can be renewed by requesting an endorsement from the bishop. However, it may be revoked if the individual no longer fulfills the requirements.
Extraordinary ministers should approach the altar only after the priest has received Communion and always receive the vessel containing the Eucharist from the priest celebrant for distribution to the faithful. They should not be called upon if the celebrant can easily distribute Communion to all without causing excessive delay, and their role is to supplement that of the ordinary minister, not replace it.
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The role of the priest
Priests are considered ritual experts, with a special and sometimes secret knowledge of the techniques of worship, including incantations, prayers, songs, and other acts that are believed to bridge the separation between the divine and the profane. This knowledge is gained through formal education at a school for priests, which sets them apart from other religious leaders such as shamans or diviners, who obtain their positions through individual efforts.
The priest is a mediator between God and man, with the mission of linking the two separate realities of the world of God and the human world. They are seen as a bridge that connects human beings to God, to His redemption, and to His true light. This role is not just a job but a vocation, a personal calling from God, and a ministry of service in the Church.
In recent decades, there has been a shortage of priests, leading to questions about the Church's dependence on the ministry of priests and the possibility of lay people assuming some of their traditional roles. However, the Catholic Church maintains that the role of the priest is essential and irreplaceable in announcing the Word and celebrating the Sacraments, and that lay people can never fully replace them.
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Frequently asked questions
An extraordinary minister of Holy Communion in the Catholic Church is, under the 1983 Code of Canon Law, an acolyte or another of Christ's faithful deputed in certain extraordinary circumstances to distribute Holy Communion.
A non-ordained member of the faithful can be deputed by the diocesan bishop to act as an extraordinary minister to distribute Holy Communion outside of liturgical celebrations.
An extraordinary minister can distribute Holy Communion when there is no priest or deacon available, or when the priest or deacon is unable to distribute it due to ill health or advanced age.
Circumstances of genuine necessity include when the number of the faithful requesting Holy Communion is so large that the celebration of Mass or the distribution of the Eucharist outside Mass would be unduly prolonged.
Extraordinary ministers should be properly trained in the rubrics and adhere to the teachings of the Church. They should be devout Catholics in good standing and should respect the dignity and reverence of the ministry.
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