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Cornell Catholic Community EM Resource ~ Procedures |
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notes on the distribution of Holy Communion |
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When distributing the Eucharistic Bread: |
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| When giving the Body of the Lord (the Eucharistic bread) to the communicant (person who intends to receive Comunion), the minister raises the consecrated bread over the paten (plate) and says, "The Body of Christ". Please do not adapt the words. The consecrated bread should be raised to a comforatble eye-level, and you may want to raise it to a position such that the communicant can see the consecrated bread and you can see the communicant. This dynamic of a person-to-person ministry is part of the sacramentality of the Eucharist. The communicant responds "Amen" and you then place the consecrated bread in the hands or on the tongue of the communicant, depending on his or her preference. |
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| If the person wants to receive on the tongue, you should place the consecrated bread directly on the tongue of the communicant in such a way that it does not drop out too easily. It is assumed that the communicant knows the proper technique to receive the Eucharist in such a manner. Do NOT: |
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'throw' the consecrated bread into the mouth of the communicant,
merely 'touch' the consecrated bread with the tip of the tongue, especially if the tongue is sloping downwards. You should be a bit more bold to deliver the consecrated bread into a secure position on the tongue, so that the communicant can withdraw his or her tongue without dropping the Eucharist,
withdraw your hand in a jerky manner as if the communicant will bite your fingers,
stuff the consecrated bread in between the cheeks and communicant's teeth! |
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If the communicant who wish to receive on the tongue does not practice a good technique, you should be patient, careful and yet bold to deliver the Eucharist. You should not appear disgusted, shocked, or ask the person to open his or her mouth wider etc. If the consecrated bread should fall, pick up the consecrated bread and put it aside on the paten. You may choose to consume it later, or ask the second chaplain to consume it later. If there are health reasons not to consume (eg. the person is infectious), the consecrated bread may be buried in clean earth. However this rite is NOT to be done by any of the student EMs. The priest will take charge of it. This last point is important for any ministers who may minister Communion to the Sick.
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| When distriubting the Eucharistic wine: |
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| When giving the Blood of the Lord (the Eucharistic wine) to a communicant, the minister holds the chalice (cup) to the communicant, saying "The Blood of Christ". Again, do not adapt the words. The chalice should be raised to a comfortable eye-level, as in the Bread part above. The communicant answers "Amen" and the minister then passes the chalice to the communicant who hold it in a firm manner. After drinking from the chalice, the communicant hands it back to the minister who wipes the area the communicant's lips has touched with the purificator. The cup is rotated slightly for the next communicant. |
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If a communicant has unsteady hands, or is likely to drop the chalice, you may want to hold the chalice lightly and help guide the chalice to the communicant's lios. Do not however tilt the chalice forcefully. The action should be initiated by the communicant.
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SOURCES:
Msgr. Peter Elliot, Ceremonies of the Modern Roman Rite: A Manuel for Clergy and all involved in Liturgical Ministries (1994, Ignatius Press, SF) |
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Extraordinary Ministers of Communion Fall 2000 Traning Notes |
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