Ministering at Mass - Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy CommunionThose who receive the Eucharistare united more closely to Christ.Through it Christ unites them toall the faithful in one body – theChurch.CCC (1992), 1396The Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (sometimescalled Special Ministers) help the priest distribute communion tothe congregation. The “ordinary” ministers of Holy Communionare bishops, priests and deacons; “extraordinary” ministers includeacolytes, confirmed lay men and women and religious. Normally,Extraordinary Ministers are “deputed” (commissioned) by a bishopor priest for a fixed period of time.When are Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communionrequired?Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion are permitted whenthe number of communicants is large enough that distributionfrom the present priests alone would take an overly long time(GIRM 162).If you are helping organise a Mass, it is a good idea to speakwith your priest about whether Extraordinary Ministers will beneeded. Only people who have already been properly deputed asExtraordinary Ministers should be approached to assist with thisministry in the Mass.Additional resources• Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion during Mass(Liturgical Ministry Brochure Series). Produced by theArchbishop’s Office for Evangelisation. Available at www.cam.org.au/Portals/7/documents/AOFE%20Extraordinary%20Ministers%20of%20Holy%20Communion_brochure.pdf11