Eucharistic Ministers

[Anna]

Anyone can bless anyone, by saying "God Bless You!" it is true.

But the Eucharistic procession, when the Faithful are approaching to receive the Body and Blood of Our Lord, is a PART OF THE MASS, which should not be added to by an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion.

At that point, he has a job to do, which is distribute the Host. If he extends his authority to use the Host to bless people, he is abusing the priviledge which has been extended to him.

Furthermore, within the context of the Mass, the priest blesses everyone in the assembly before they are dismissed.

It is meaningless and redundant, therefore, for others to approach during the special time afforded for distribution of the Body and Blood of Our Lord, making it a "free-for-all," where they they can have "This" (Holy Communion) or "that" (a liturgical abuse blessing.) What a mockery of the Holy Communion that becomes! (Though I'm sure out of ignorance, and unintentional.)

Pax Christi. <><

[Azriel]

Gotta question ... I know we've debate the use of EEM's at Mass in the past. But what of those who distribute the Eucharist to the sick and homebound? What's the stance on that?

[Jake Huether]

Anyone can bless anyone, by saying "God Bless You!" it is true.

But the Eucharistic procession, when the Faithful are approaching to receive the Body and Blood of Our Lord, is a PART OF THE MASS, which should not be added to by an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion.

At that point, he has a job to do, which is distribute the Host.  If he extends his authority to use the Host to bless people, he is abusing the priviledge which has been extended to him.

Furthermore, within the context of the Mass, the priest blesses everyone in the assembly before they are dismissed. 

It is meaningless and redundant, therefore, for others to approach during the special time afforded for distribution of the Body and Blood of Our Lord, making it a "free-for-all," where they they can have "This" (Holy Communion) or "that" (a liturgical abuse blessing.)  What a mockery of the Holy Communion that becomes!  (Though I'm sure out of ignorance, and unintentional.)

Pax Christi. <><

Totally agreed.

I think the "blessing" (in which one crosses their arms over their chest) is reserved for the most extreme cases.

My moms friend is a ciliac (sp?) so she can't consume the Body of Christ in the Eucharist (because it has the external "accidents" of bread). In this case, I think it is appropriate. For infants who have to be carried with their mom, eh, don't think so. For people in mortal sin who cannot recieve communion, eh, don't think so (they should seek the priests blessing in the Sacrament of Confession.

[cmotherofpirl]

Gotta question ... I know we've debate the use of EEM's at Mass in the past.  But what of those who distribute the Eucharist to the sick and homebound?  What's the stance on that?

I think it is absolutely wonderful.

Think of all the Catholics who can now recieve the Eucharist.

[cmotherofpirl]

Totally agreed.

I think the "blessing" (in which one crosses their arms over their chest) is reserved for the most extreme cases.

My moms friend is a ciliac (sp?) so she can't consume the Body of Christ in the Eucharist (because it has the external "accidents" of bread). In this case, I think it is appropriate. For infants who have to be carried with their mom, eh, don't think so. For people in mortal sin who cannot recieve communion, eh, don't think so (they should seek the priests blessing in the Sacrament of Confession.

What is wrong with a priest blessing a baby in its mothers arms???

[Jake Huether]

What is wrong with a priest blessing a baby in its mothers arms???

Nothing, if it doesn't interfere with what is going on.

We can't have mom's lining up in the Priests line just to have their child blessed.

As Anna pointed out, we are ALL blessed at the beggining, during, and after the Mass anyway. It becomes redundant.

[cmotherofpirl]

I think a priest signing a cross on a baby's head during Communion is not a bad thing. Do not the Eastern Catholics give Communion to babies with a spoon?

[Katholikos]

It's time for BLAZEr to repost Bishop Chaput's instructions to the Diocese of Denver:

- No blessings to children (including babies) during Communion, who accompany their parent(s). (The good bishop has further comments on this point.)

- No "blessings in lieu of Communion"

- If anyone shows up with their arms crossed, the priest is to say "May Jesus be in your heart" WITHOUT GESTURES, i.e., without making the Sign of the Cross, w/o blessing the person.

This is to encourage spiritual communions among those who cannot receive.

The instruction is posted on p. 3 of the Life Teen thread (I think it's at page 8, but don't know if it's under debate or open mic).

There is a lively discussion of liturgical abuses on this thread.

Ave Cor Mariae, Likos

[BLAZEr]

Tumturrrum (that's the Superman Noise)

Bishop Chaput to the Resuce!

Liturgy Series Part 15

Reviewing roles

of ordinary, extraordinary ministers

January 29, 2003

Denver Catholic Register

 

 

Let's review where we've arrived in the liturgy: The Communion antiphon or hymn has begun. The priest has turned from the altar to distribute holy Communion. After those designated to distribute holy Communion have received, the celebrant, possibly with the assistance of the deacon, hands each of them a vessel from the altar.

Note that the ordained hands the laity the vessels from the altar. It's a small gesture. We may not think twice about it.

But, as in every other liturgical action, this handing-over has significance. The priest and deacon, ordained to service at the altar, are the ordinary ministers of holy Communion. Ordinary does not mean "commonplace" here. Rather, the priest and deacon are the usual persons, by virtue of their ordination, to distribute holy Communion.

On the other hand, an extraordinary minister of holy Communion is a member of the laity, man or woman, whom the local bishop mandates to extend the ministry of the ordained in the particular task of distributing holy Communion.

Any kind of service at or near the altar of God is a sacred matter. This is why pastors must attest to the integrity of those parishioners who assist them as extraordinary ministers, and a ceremony must commission them before they begin their service. In our archdiocese, extraordinary ministers may function for up to three years in one parish before being remandated. In fact, Advent 2003 will conclude our current mandation cycle.

This ministry should never be taken lightly. Extraordinary ministers of holy Communion commit themselves to distribute reverently the body and blood of our Lord either in a parish setting or to bring Him to those who cannot join the parish community. They also agree to protect the Blessed Sacrament while they are assisting the priest. They see to it that the body and blood of Christ are consumed properly and not profaned. If an accidental dropping or spillage of the precious body or blood occurs, they are responsible to cleanse the area and properly care for the elements. If the priest or deacon is not able to purify the vessels for good reasons, they are permitted to do so. Thus, this is a role only for the fully initiated, mature Catholic.

Service as an extraordinary minister is not meant to be a long-term commitment, but one that is deliberately chosen at every mandation period. It is a privilege for any of us, ordinary or extraordinary ministers, to be the one to nourish another with the bread of life.

Sometimes a friend will say that, "I'll never receive Communion from an extraordinary minister, only from the priest!" But this approach obviously violates the spirit of collaboration I've outlined here. All the faithful should realize that extraordinary ministers are a recognized ministry within the Church, called upon when not enough ordinary ministers are available. When you see the handing over of a vessel to an extraordinary minister, the priest is acknowledging and reminding everyone in the congregation of the extraordinary minister's commission into the sacred action he or she is about to perform.

Of course, because of their frequent presence at Mass, we should take care not to confuse extraordinary ministers of holy Communion with ordinary ministers. They should always be ready to step back when, for example, unexpected concelebrating priests or ministering deacons are present.

As those distributing holy Communion come forward, the Communion procession forms. We've seen before how singing is a unifying force within the assembly. The faithful now come forward as a body to receive the body of Christ.

Liturgy Series Part 17

Communion procession offers opportunity

to teach reverence

February 12, 2003

Denver Catholic Register

 

 

As members of the community move forward to receive holy Communion during Mass, parents will often bring their small children along. Over the years, it has become a custom in many parishes for these children to receive a blessing. I don't really know where this practice began, but it's worth some reflection.

Usually the children in line will look up expectantly at the person distributing holy Communion. The minister then responds by doing one of several things: He or she may pat the child's head, or touch the head in a sign of blessing, or mark the child's forehead with a sign of the cross. As warm and well intentioned as the gesture may be, in the context of the liturgy, the Communion procession really isn't the time for a blessing of children or adults who are unable to receive Communion.

There are times in the liturgical year when the laity assist in specific acts of blessing, such as the blessing of throats or the distribution of ashes. These are clearly indicated in the Book of Blessings. But extraordinary ministers of holy Communion do not ordinarily have a commission to bless in the name of the Church, as priests and deacons do. At this point in the liturgy, they have a very specific function: to collaborate with the clergy in the distribution of holy Communion.

As we'll explore in a later column, the blessing of the assembly properly occurs at the end of the Mass. As the body of Christ, the assembly is blessed together before we depart to live the fruits of the liturgy.

What would be appropriate for children to do who accompany their parents in the Communion procession, and adults who do not receive Communion?

The Communion procession is an opportunity for parents to begin to teach their children about the great gift of the Eucharist. First of all, children could learn to give reverence to the Lord hidden under the forms of bread and wine. Children can already learn from their parents, and others receiving holy Communion, to give honor to the Lord by bowing reverently.

Parents and catechists should start teaching the mystery of the Eucharist at an early age. Children will soon begin to desire to receive holy Communion. This earnest desire to receive our Lord sacramentally is traditionally called a "spiritual communion." Regrettably, we don't talk about spiritual communion as we once did. But Thomas Aquinas, Alphonsus Liguori and many other great saints strongly encouraged spiritual communion as a practice.

Both children and adults can make a spiritual communion. They may come forward with their arms crossed and bow before the Eucharist. Then the priest, deacon or extraordinary minister could say to them kindly, "Receive the Lord Jesus in your heart." This is not a blessing, but an invitation to worship, so no gestures are made.

This spiritual communion would more authentically carry out the spirit of the liturgy. Being faithful to the truths of the sacramental celebration allows all of us, young and old, to enter more deeply into worship.

Edited November 19, 2003 by BLAZEr

[cmotherofpirl]

THis applies only to the Diocese of Denver.