Instructions for Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion

At every Mass, there shall be a sufficient number of ministers of Holy Communion so that it may be distributed in a reverent and orderly manner.  A Mass that utilizes the choir loft requires 4 (four) ministers of Holy Communion and Masses that do not utilize the choir loft require 3 (three) ministers of Holy Communion.  These numbers include any visiting Priests and/or Deacons in attendance.

All ministers of Holy Communion shall show the greatest reverence for the Holy Eucharist by their demeanor, attire, and the manner in which they handle the consecrated bread or wine.  In the event of a spill, the area should be protected from traffic and afterwards cleaned with water which must then be poured into the sacrarium which eventually empties into the ground under the church.

Upon completion of the sign of peace, extraordinary ministers approach the Sanctuary.  Before entering the Sanctuary, you must genuflect or profound bow to the Holy Eucharist.

A wash station is set up on your left (east) side of the Sanctuary where you may wash your hands.  Upon completion, you may line up on the east side of the Altar awaiting communion.

When the Eucharist is presented to you, perform a profound bow to show reverence to the Body & Blood of Christ before receiving it.

After all Extraordinary Ministers and Altar Servers have received communion, you may follow behind the Priest to your station.  You should first scan the side areas of the church for those who cannot join the Communion procession and distribute the Body & Blood to them first.

The proper and only permissible form for distributing Holy Communion is to offer the consecrated bread by saying, "The Body of Christ" and to offer the consecrated wine by saying, "The Blood of Christ." No other words or names should be added; and you shall not adlib.  For those wishing a blessing, you may put your hand over their head (careful not to touch their heads with your fingers) and say, "May Almighty God Bless You, The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit".  You should maintain eye contact with the person as you speak the words and distribute Holy Communion.

At no time is a person allowed to "intinct" (dip the host into the Chalice).

If a host is dropped on the floor, it may be picked up and placed back into the ciborium and served to a later person.  The important thing to remember is it cannot be thrown out, it must be consumed!

It is also everyones responsibility to ensure that hosts that are presented are consumed as we do not want to find them in hymn books or on the floor.  It is permissable to ask a person to consume or return the host to you.

Upon completion of Communion presentation, the extra Blood of Christ left in the chalice may be consumed by the Extraordinary Minister or Ordinary Minister of Holy Communion (Priest or Deacon).

You must then again wash your hands to remove any particles or drops of the Body or Blood and then leave the Sanctuary and rejoin the congregation.  You are not required to genuflect or profound bow when leaving the Sanctuary.