Some notes for Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist

Eucharistic Minister Guide

As an Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist (referred to as “EM” in this instruction) you  should be in a state of grace (not conscious of an unconfessed mortal sin) and fully initiated into the sacramental life of the Church. (i.e. having received the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Eucharist) and not prevented by law (in a marriage not recognized by the Church, for example.)

Know your schedule in advance and find a replacement if necessary.

Dress in a manner conducive to the ministry you are undertaking.  You will be in contact with The Body and Blood of Jesus – His True Presence.  Appropriate attire should be modest and should not include jeans or clothing with any logos or writing on it, nor should the clothing be “ripped” or too revealing, as in short pants or short skirts. 

Please sit near the front of the church and if possible near the side aisles.

At Mass:

After the Lamb of God has been recited or sung, and as the people kneel, EMs should come up to the front of the church and stand at the side aisles. Do not cross in front of the altar – just stand in the front side aisle where you were sitting.  In most cases we will need four people to distribute Communion.  The Priest and Deacon, if present, are the ordinary ministers.  If we have a priest and a deacon, we will need two extraordinary ministers.  If there is no Deacon, we will need three. If you notice we are short and are able to volunteer, please come up and stand at the front of the side aisle as quickly and reverently as you can.

EMs are to wait until the priest and deacon (all clergy) have received.  After they have received, EMs should proceed to the center - stop at the steps leading into the sanctuary until all EM’s arrive then, bowing together before the altar, enter the sanctuary together on the right of the altar.

The Priest and/or deacon, after distributing the Body and Blood of Christ to the EM’s, will distribute the other communion Ciboria and Chalices to the EM’s.  The ministers will then go forth to distribute Holy Communion.  The Priest or deacon will distribute communion to the altar servers.  Note: Altar servers. 

If there are people unable to come forward because of disability, distribute to them first if they are in the front pew, or at the end if they are in the wheelchair sections.

Distributing Communion say: “The Body of Christ” or “The Blood of Christ”.

Do not use people’s names “Jane… the Body of Christ”.  It’s not about making a connection with the individual.  It is about that person encountering Christ… Therefore anything that a minister does that is different or unusual distracts from the communicant’s reception of Christ.

EM’s distributing the Body of Christ:

The presider and the deacon go to the center aisle.  If there is not a deacon, one EM will join the priest at the center aisle. 

If the Body of Christ drops to the floor, pick it up and either hold it in the palm of the hand holding the ciborium, or place it on the corporal on the altar. (The corporal is the square cloth on which the Chalice and Paten and the Ciboria are placed during the Consecration)

The people may receive either in the hand or on the tongue. If they receive in the hand their hands should be one on top of the other, cupped slightly. Do not let people grab the Host. If they receive on the tongue they should open their mouths and put their tongue out. The Host is then placed gently on their tongue. They should not bite at or clamp down on the Host with their lips.

If someone presents a pyx:

If someone has a pyx and would like to take communion to someone, they should go to the priest’s line.  Please ask them to see Father after Mass if they have a question.  If they come to an EM, the EM should instruct them to go to the priest. 

 For those who come forward for a blessing:

Blessings during the communion line have become a custom, but in this context the Church really only gives the authority to offer blessings to ordained ministers.  Therefore if someone comes forward to an EM with their arms crossed (a child or adult) I would ask the EM’s to say: “May Jesus be in your heart”, or “Jesus loves you.”  Please do not put out your hand or touch the individuals.  When we are distributing communion we should not touch people because of the particles of the Eucharist that may be on the fingers.  Also, putting out your hand or making the sign of the cross denotes a formal blessing… this is not appropriate for a lay person to do in this circumstance.  Parents have authority to bless their children or their family members, but that is in a different setting.  In the communion line only clergy should give a blessing. If someone wants a blessing they should go to the priest or deacon. 

There are occasions when many non-Catholics are present for Mass, (funerals, weddings, Christmas, Easter) in those cases the priest will make an announcement helping these people to know what to do during communion.  If EM’s are distributing communion and someone approaches for a blessing, simply say: “May Jesus be in your heart”, or “Jesus loves you.”

EM’s distributing the Blood of Christ:

Offer the chalice to the recipient and let the individual hold it.

Note: Do not allow people to dip the host into the blood (intinction.)  Simply explain, “It is not our tradition to dip the host.”  Try not to make a scene. We don’t want any drops of the precious blood to fall on the ground.

Receive the Chalice back, and wipe it with the purificator after each individual receives the Blood of Christ.  Turn the Chalice slightly for the next person.  While the person is receiving from the chalice slightly shift the spot where you will wipe with the purificator. 

If the Blood of Christ spills, stop distributing, cover the spill with the purificator.  Put your chalice back on the corporal on the altar and go stand by the spill so that no one steps on the spot.  Once communion is over, let Father know.  We will either clean it then or after Mass.  Do not place the soiled purificator back on the altar as it may stain the altar cloth.  If the Blood spills on a person, ask them to talk to Father after mass for instructions on proper cleaning.

After Communion, if there is any remaining Precious Blood, do not drink it.  Place the chalice on the corporal on the Altar and cover it with the purificator.  (The corporal is a square white cloth spread out in the center of the altar.) The Priest or Deacon will consume the remaining Precious Blood. 

 After Communion:

If you have distributed the Body of Christ, return the ciborium to the altar – placing it on the corporal or handing it to the priest/deacon, then purify your fingers in the Ablution Cup on the credence table (not necessary for those who distribute the Precious Blood.)

Often those distributing the precious blood will run out before the end of communion.  In that case, simply place the chalice on the altar as indicated above, and return to your pew immediately.  You do not need to wait until communion is over.  Bow to the altar as you leave the sanctuary.

Sometimes, however, you may find that you are going to the altar with the communion cup or ciborium at the same time as the priest.  In such cases, leave your items on the altar as described above and stand off to the side for a moment.  (Be sure you are out of the way of the servers so that they may do their jobs). As the priest combines what remains of the Body of Christ into one ciborium. The priest (or a deacon) will return the remaining Body of Christ to the tabernacle.  Please turn toward the tabernacle as he goes to it as a sign of reverence for the Holy Eucharist, genuflecting or bowing as the minister at the tabernacle does so.

When the priest/deacon closes the tabernacle door, you may then turn and return to your place.

General Norms:
No self-Communicating (Do not give yourself the body or blood of Christ)
Reverence for the Eucharist is the ultimate goal of all the practices we do.
There is a difference between ordinary and extra-ordinary, that is, non-ordinary ministers of communion (church distinguishes.) We are trying to keep these distinctions clear.
Dress for the occasion, in a non-distracting way.
This ministry is done for the people not for ourselves.