Tag Archives: EMHC

ASK FATHER: Are Extraordinary Ministers of Communion against the law?

From a reader… QUAERITUR: The Congregation for the Clergy’s 1997 “ON CERTAIN QUESTIONS REGARDING THE COLLABORATION OF THE NON-ORDAINED FAITHFUL IN THE SACRED MINISTRY OF PRIEST” [HERE] says that “the habitual use of extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion at Mass … Read More

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ASK FATHER: Communion for person just spotted drinking (probably) coffee

From a reader… QUAERITUR: I’m an EMHC [Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion] in our Parish. At yesterday’s Mass, I was sitting a pew or two behind a woman who was chugging what I can only assume was a coffee beverage … Read More

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31 Comments

ASK FATHER: Spilling the Precious Blood

From a reader… QUAERITUR: What should one do if the chalice containing the precious blood is dropped as it is passed to the communicant. I hope that this is theoretical, only. As a seminarian I once saw this happen and … Read More

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45 Comments

ASK FATHER: Sister goes shopping while carrying the Eucharist to the sick. Wherein Fr. Z rants.

From a reader… I work at a religious supply store and yesterday a local religious sister came in and asked to be shown our selection of pyxes. I led her to the cabinet where they are kept and indicated that … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Liberals, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Wherein Fr. Z Rants, Women Religious | Tagged , , ,
76 Comments

ASK FATHER: Can divorced, remarried without “annulment” be Extraordinary Ministers of Communion?

From a reader… QUAERITUR: Can divorced/remarried laity, without decree of nullity, become Special Ministers of Communion? The short answer is “No!” The longer answer is “Noooooooo!”

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ASK FATHER: More people go to Father than to the EMHCs

From a reader… Quaeritur: Father usually has 10-15 people waiting in his line for Holy Communion while there is no one left for the two EMHCs to do but stand and wait. The priest then waves away (nicely) those waiting to receive … Read More

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137 Comments

QUAERITUR: Am I being selfish for not reading at Mass?

From a reader: I am newly back to the Church (just over a year) and attend daily mass frequently (NO). [Great!] I have been approached twice now asking to either regularly do the readings or help out as a Eucharistic … Read More

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56 Comments

Mass in the Ordinary Form of the Roman Rite… right.

From a reader: This evening, I attended mass in the Ordinary Form of the Roman Rite. The mass was at ___. Several things were different than what one experiences at most masses in the Ordinary Form of the Roman Rite. … Read More

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57 Comments

QUAERITUR: Extraordinary Ministers of Communion giving blessings as if they were priests

From a reader: I talked to our parish Director of Liturgy today about our 12 (!) Eucharistic Ministers who routinely bless children and adults. She informed me that this has been approved by our bishop, and then berated me for … Read More

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75 Comments

QUAERITUR: Should EMHCs cleanse their fingers after distribution of Communion?

From a reader: If EMHC are used should they cleanse their fingers of Eucharistic particles after communion? Of course they should! Let an ablution cup or bowl be set somewhere, in advance, so that they can purify their fingers. The … Read More

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20 Comments

QUAERITUR: We have to have Communion under both kinds and, therefore, extra lay ministers

From a reader: I have read about valid and invalid motivations for the multiplication of EMHCs. [Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion.] The diocesan advisor at my university’s Newman center gave me one which I had not heard before: that without … Read More

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47 Comments

QUAERITUR: Can a layperson expose the Blessed Sacrament?

From a reader: I have an adoration chapel nearby that presents the Blessed Sacrament in a beautiful tabernacle / monstrance with a hinged door that opens to showcase the Consecrated Host. It is behind a small altar on a raised, … Read More

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33 Comments

QUAERITUR: A priest who won’t prevent self-intinction

From a reader: I am a lay eucharistic minister, and 2 parisheners recieve communion, then dip it in the cup.. I told my parish priest and he never did anything about it. He acted as tho he knew it was … Read More

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44 Comments

QUAERITUR: If we have to agree with Vatican II do we have to agree with Communion in the hand, altar girls, EMHCs, etc?

From a reader: I’m wondering what type of assent are we as Catholics supposed to give to the Vatican II council? Also do we have an obligation to agree with things like Communion in the hand, and other parts in … Read More

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47 Comments

QUAERITUR: Can I take Communion home for my sick wife?

From a reader: Am I allowed to take home communion for my sick wife & in what. You are to be commended for wanting to help your wife benefit from the Eucharist.  I hope she is better soon. The short … Read More

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11 Comments

A priest on giving blessings at Communion time

I have in the past written about the wide-spread practice of giving blessings during Communion time. This is not to be done, because it is outside what is prescribed at this very important moment during holy Mass. Of course this … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Brick by Brick, HONORED GUESTS, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Mail from priests, Our Catholic Identity, Priests and Priesthood, The Drill | Tagged , , ,
116 Comments

QUAERITUR: Wearing a veil while distributing Communion.

From readerette: Would it be inappropriate to wear a chapel veil while Eucharistic ministering? First, you are not a Eucharistic Minister. You are an Extraordinary Minister of Communion. I cannot see any problem with a woman wearing a chapel veil, … Read More

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45 Comments

QUAERITUR: “openly gay EMHC, an ex-priest”

From a reader: I come from a mid-sized parish with at least 10 EMHCs every Sunday, which just seems like way too much. I’ve also noticed that they give blessings, with the laying on of hands and everything, to catechumens, non-Catholics, etc. I’m … Read More

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39 Comments

QUAERITUR: Can EMCHs give “blessings”?

From a reader: At Mass this morning, at least one of the EMs was ‘blessing’ children as they came forward. My understanding was that only priests could give blessings. We are a parish with 2 priests covering 3 churches, plus … Read More

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50 Comments

QUAERITUR: Extraordinary Communion Minister at a TLM if the priest is infirm?

From a reader: May a duly commissioned Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion distribute the host at Mass in the Extraordinary Form when the celebrating priest is physically impeded from doing so? It would seem that paragraph 28 of Universae Ecclesiae … Read More

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