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In celebrating the Holy Eucharist,
Christians follow Christ's invitation: "'Take and eat; this is my
body.' Then he took a cup . . . 'Drink from it, all of you, for this
is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed on behalf of many for the
forgiveness of sins'" (Mt. 26:26-28). They also follow his command:
"Do this in memory of me" (Lk 22:19). In the Blessed Sacrament of the
Altar, Christians enter into communion with the Body and Blood of Christ,
the Real Presence of the Lord Jesus (cf. 1 Cor. 10:16). In the Holy
Mass, by means of the Body and Blood of Christ, Christians proclaim the Lord
who died and who rose to life again. This is the mystery of faith.
Catholics believe that Christ is truly and really present in the Blessed
Sacrament, under the appearances of bread and wine.
The various ministers of Holy Communion
perform a service to the Church by distributing that greatest Sacrament, the
Holy Eucharist. It is important for all ministers to recall that they
are ministers of the Church, administering a treasure of the Church.
With this in mind, ministers should conduct themselves reverently and follow
the rites established by the Church.
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The ordinary manner by which the faithful
partake of Holy Communion is from the hands of an ordained minister
(bishop, priest, or deacon). The clergy are designated as "Ordinary
ministers". 'Ordinary' carries a precise meaning. It
does not refer to some of the more common definitions of 'ordinary':
of no special quality, commonplace, undistinguished, somewhat
inferior, customary, or usual. Rather, it refers to proper
jurisdiction or authority. As ordinary ministers, the clergy
most properly distribute Holy Communion because it is within their
authority and jurisdiction to do so. This is contrasted with
the delegation function given to certain members of the lay faithful
Thus, those who are delegated to assist the clergy in distribution
of Holy Communion are designated as "Extraordinary ministers"
(sometimes they are also called "Special Ministers").
Likewise, this carries a precise meaning. It refers to the
temporary and supplementary nature by which the laity assist the
ordinary ministers.
Extraordinary ministers assist in the
distribution of Holy Communion: (a) when there is an
insufficient number of ordinary ministers; or, (b) when the ordinary
ministers are impeded from their function (e.g., due to illness or
physical problems); or, (c) when there are particularly large
numbers of the faithful which would excessively prolong the
distribution of Holy Communion. Qualified candidates for this
extraordinary service are nominated by the pastor and appointed by
the Archbishop to serve only in their own parishes for a period of
three years. Once appointed, extraordinary ministers must be
trained and may serve after being commissioned in a special ceremony
at Mass.
Extraordinary ministers have been entrusted
with an important task and so must be exemplary models of Christian
living in faith and conduct. At Baptism, Christians enter a
life that demands holiness. How much more is this the case for
those who draw most near the Blessed Sacrament?
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