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EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS OF HOLY COMMUNION
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“For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you. That the Lord Jesus, on the night He was handed over, took bread, and, after He had given thanks, broke it and said, “This is My Body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of Me.” In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new Covenant in My Blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” For as often as you eat this Bread and drink the Cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord until He comes” (1 Cor 11:23-27).
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Ordinary Ministers of Holy Communion are bishops, priests, and deacons. These persons distribute Holy Communion by virtue of their ordination. "It is first of all the office of the priest and the deacon to minister Holy Communion to the faithful who ask to receive it. It is most fitting, therefore, that they give a suitable part of their time to this ministry of their order, depending on the needs of the faithful" (Holy Communion and Worship of the Eucharist Outside Mass, 17).
Under certain circumstances, lay men and women may be selected by the Pastor and delegated by the Bishop to distribute Holy Communion. These persons are known as "Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion". To assist with this role, local clergy should ensure that “Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion should receive sufficient spiritual, theological, and practical preparation to fulfill their role with knowledge and reverence.” (NDRCH, 28)
By recognizing their extra-ordinary role in the distribution of Holy Communion, hopefully it brings about a greater reverence for the Mystery the minister serves and drives the minister to seek to not only be a functional instrument of Communion within the physical church, but also leads to a greater desire to reveal and offer Christ in the fullness of their lives
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Contact ME TO SERVE
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pothe.liturgyportlanddiocese.orgDirector of Liturgical and Parish Life
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EXTRAORDINARY MINISTER OF HOLY COMMUNION MANUAL
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