Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist
The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches, “The Eucharist is a sacrifice of thanksgiving to the Father, a blessing by which the Church expresses her gratitude to God for all his benefits, for all that he has accomplished through creation, redemption and sanctification” (CCC 1360).
Extraordinary Ministers of Eucharist are properly formed, instructed and commissioned lay persons. EMEs may be male or female. They should reflect the cultural diversity of their parish community. These ministers are appointed for a given parish community to aid in the distribution of Holy Communion at Mass and to the sick and homebound when ordinary ministers of Holy Communion are unavailable.
Function apart from their parish community. Ordinarily, EMEs do not perform any other liturgical ministry at the Mass at which they serve as an EME. When the situation requires, the presider of the Mass may call upon members of the faithful who are not EMEs to aid him in the distribution of Holy Communion on that one occasion. Those called must be Catholics in good standing who are themselves able to receive the Eucharist.
In order for a person to be appointed as an EME, the following conditions must be met:
Here below is the link to the Parish Norms Guidelines Booklet for your convenience!
Extraordinary Ministers of Eucharist are properly formed, instructed and commissioned lay persons. EMEs may be male or female. They should reflect the cultural diversity of their parish community. These ministers are appointed for a given parish community to aid in the distribution of Holy Communion at Mass and to the sick and homebound when ordinary ministers of Holy Communion are unavailable.
Function apart from their parish community. Ordinarily, EMEs do not perform any other liturgical ministry at the Mass at which they serve as an EME. When the situation requires, the presider of the Mass may call upon members of the faithful who are not EMEs to aid him in the distribution of Holy Communion on that one occasion. Those called must be Catholics in good standing who are themselves able to receive the Eucharist.
In order for a person to be appointed as an EME, the following conditions must be met:
- Be a Catholic living in harmony with the teachings of the Church and be able to receive the Eucharist.
- Be of sufficient age and maturity to perform the duties of an EME at Mass or to the sick and homebound in various locations (i.e. private homes, nursing homes, hospitals);
- Have received the Sacrament of Confirmation.
- Be chosen and appointed by the pastor for the parish entrusted to him.
- Having gone through the Formation and Training Prior to beginning their ministry, EMEs should be formed and trained in the following:
- Theology of the Eucharist and understanding of the Mass;
- Theology and spirituality of ministry;
- When made available, EMEs should participate in ongoing theological and ministerial formation at the parish and/or Diocesan level.
- They should follow the Diocesan and parish guidelines and procedures for their ministry.
Here below is the link to the Parish Norms Guidelines Booklet for your convenience!
