Thank Goodness for Father Z. Thank you for sharing, markomalley.
>>First, lay people who are helping to distribute Communion have no business giving blessings. <<
How about this? Bring back the communion rail and dump the EMHCs. My girls sing at an Historic Church downtown. One priest, one deacon, two communion rails. It never takes longer than 10 minutes.
That being said, My DH is an EMHC. In my parish, they are just what they are supposed to be. Extraordinary. But understanding that we have six Masses on the weekend, packed, we do have times where there are not enough priests to cover everyone.
He was told that if someone comes forward (mostly children), that there is to be NO laying of hands on that person. Just the general “May God Bless you.” as he holds up the host.
Laity is not to give a blessing. Period.
I Corinthians 11:17 - 34 seems complete about Communion, and I see nothing in it about a “blessing” (but we are told to judge ourselves prior to partaking). Is it possible that your church does not follow Biblical teachings?
Lay Extraordinary Ministers do not ‘Bless’ people. Folks not able to receive Communion should get in the Priest or Deacon’s line, in order to receive a Blessing.
This does not, to me, make any sense. If people do not proceed to Communion in some orderly fashion (such as row by row), how are they supposed to do so? Randomly, as each feels moved?
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The priest is the only one who is authorized to extend a blessing.
As a minister of Holy Communion, sometimes people cross their hands over their chest and I simply put my hand on their shoulder and say that God loves them.
Lay ministers are NOT to trace a cross on a parishioner’s forehead — only the priest can do that.
So, I guess I agree with Father Z most of the way.
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My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen. |
CONGREGATION FOR DIVINE WORSHIP AND THE DISCIPLINE OF THE SACRAMENT
INSTRUCTION
Redemptionis Sacramentum
On certain matters to be observed or to be avoided
regarding the Most Holy Eucharist
This Instruction, prepared by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments by mandate of the Supreme Pontiff John Paul II in collaboration with the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, was approved by the same Pontiff on the Solemnity of St. Joseph, 19 March 2004, and he ordered it to be published and to be observed immediately by all concerned.
From the offices of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, Rome, on the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord, 25 March 2004.
Francis Card. Arinze
Prefect
1. The Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion
[154.] As has already been recalled, “the only minister who can confect the Sacrament of the Eucharist in persona Christi is a validly ordained Priest”.[254] Hence the name “minister of the Eucharist” belongs properly to the Priest alone. Moreover, also by reason of their sacred Ordination, the ordinary ministers of Holy Communion are the Bishop, the Priest and the Deacon,[255] to whom it belongs therefore to administer Holy Communion to the lay members of Christ’s faithful during the celebration of Mass. In this way their ministerial office in the Church is fully and accurately brought to light, and the sign value of the Sacrament is made complete.[155.]
In addition to the ordinary ministers there is the formally instituted acolyte, who by virtue of his institution is an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion even outside the celebration of Mass. If, moreover, reasons of real necessity prompt it, another lay member of Christ’s faithful may also be delegated by the diocesan Bishop, in accordance with the norm of law,[256] for one occasion or for a specified time, and an appropriate formula of blessing may be used for the occasion. This act of appointment, however, does not necessarily take a liturgical form, nor, if it does take a liturgical form, should it resemble sacred Ordination in any way. Finally, in special cases of an unforeseen nature, permission can be given for a single occasion by the Priest who presides at the celebration of the Eucharist.[257]
[156.] This function is to be understood strictly according to the name by which it is known, that is to say, that of extraordinary minister of Holy Communion, and not “special minister of Holy Communion” nor “extraordinary minister of the Eucharist” nor “special minister of the Eucharist”, by which names the meaning of this function is unnecessarily and improperly broadened.
[157.] If there is usually present a sufficient number of sacred ministers for the distribution of Holy Communion, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion may not be appointed. (In the Boise diocese, this is very, very rare.) Indeed, in such circumstances, those who may have already been appointed to this ministry should not exercise it. The practice of those Priests is reprobated who, even though present at the celebration, abstain from distributing Communion and hand this function over to laypersons.[258]
[158.] Indeed, the extraordinary minister 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.[259] This, however, is to be understood in such a way that a brief prolongation, considering the circumstances and culture of the place, is not at all a sufficient reason.
[159.] It is never allowed for the extraordinary minister of Holy Communion to delegate anyone else to administer the Eucharist, as for example a parent or spouse or child of the sick person who is the communicant.
[160.] Let the diocesan Bishop give renewed consideration to the practice in recent years regarding this matter, and if circumstances call for it, let him correct it or define it more precisely. Where such extraordinary ministers are appointed in a widespread manner out of true necessity, the diocesan Bishop should issue special norms by which he determines the manner in which this function is to be carried out in accordance with the law, bearing in mind the tradition of the Church.
