Eucharistic Ministry

Ministry Guidelines

  1. Please show respect for our Ministry . It is truly a Blessed privilege to distribute the BODY OF CHRIST. Please dress appropriately.
  2. Arrive early for the mass (15 minutes), you may want to wash your hands before the Procession. If you are ill, please find a replacement.
  3. Meet with your group, at the back, and ensure that everyone is present. If not, find a replacement before the Procession. Quietly arrange among yourselves, who will do what stations. Please note: we now use the Main Sacristy (where Father keeps his vestments) as our Home Base.
  4. See if any parishioners (ie. Handicapped / Elderly) will require Communion brought to them, at their place of seating. Coordinate with the Ushers.
  5. Let Father know if you are not taking wine.
  6. All Eucharistic Ministers are to go in Procession, directly behind the Readers, and in front of the Celebrant (three across or two and two).
  7. At the Altar, standing on both sides of Father, bow with those others, in Procession, and return to place of seating.
  8. After the Sign of Peace, and before the Lamb of God is said, or sung, together, gather at the foot of the Altar, bow, and proceed to the Tabernacle. Wash your hands in the bowl, and the last one to use the towel, neatly fold and place it behind the bowl. One of you has the key, from the Altar. When the Tabernacle is opened, and the sacred hosts are displayed, all genuflect, together. The Minister will then take the Ciborium out of the Tabernacle. The keys are left in the door, which remains opened.
  9. Together, return to the Altar, and stand in a straight line. The Minister with the Ciborium, places them on the cloth, in front of Father. He / She then joins the others, in a straight line.
  10. Wait to receive the Body and Blood of Christ.
  11. After, receive the Ciborium from the Celebrant. One Minister will assist Father, in the center aisle, two Ministers will distribute on the sides, directly in front of the first row of pews, and if required, another Minister will distribute up in the loft.
  12. The Minister distributing the Hosts, up in the loft, goes immediately, being joined by two Ushers, who will help organize the parishioners to receive. Also, at this time, those parishioners, in the rear of the Church, that require Communion brought to them, will receive. Those Ministers distributing on the sides, will distribute to the Altar Servers, and the Choir, first, before taking their places.
  13. Distribute Communion, by taking a Host from the Ciborium, holding it up before the Communicant, say; “THE BODY OF CHRIST”, then place the Host on the Communicant’s cradled hand. If a Pyx is presented, repeat, again, and place the Host into the Pyx. A few prefer to receive on their tongue, in which case place the Host on the Communicants tongue, trying not to touch the tongue - see Father for a demonstration.
  14. If the Host is dropped, by either the Minister or Communicant, pick it up and discreetly put it into your hand, holding the Ciborium. Advise Father which Host this is, when you return the Ciborium. Note: if the Host is broken into pieces, pick each piece up, the best that you can, and tell Father where that location is.
  15. Each Minister is to watch and make sure that the people who are receiving Holy Communion, consume it in front of you. If they don’t do this, please ask them to consume it. Ushers will be stationed at the far ends of the front row of pews, to also assist. If further problems….advise Father, where they are seated, when you return the Ciborium.
  16. Do not refuse anyone Communion. If your supply of Hosts are running low, it is okay to gently break (into half), each Host, in the Ciborium. Or you can approach another Eucharistic Minister, if close by, and obtain additional Hosts. If you completely run out, you can direct those Communicants in line, to receive from another Eucharistic Minister, and then take your Ciborium back to the Altar.
  17. Blessing of the People - There are several correct ways. Some Ministers prefer not to touch the Hosts, with the same part of the hand, that you administer the Blessing (ie. use the side of the right hand, or thumb. What to say….Please see Father.
  18. Upon finishing the distribution of Communion, bring the Ciborium back to the Altar, and place it in front of the Celebrant. Then proceed to the Tabernacle, to purify your fingers, by dipping them in the bowl of water provided, and wiping your fingers on the towel. The last Minister at the Altar will wait for Father, to place the remaining Hosts into one of the Ciboriums. Father will then give it to the Minster, who will then take it to the Tabernacle, and place the Ciborium in to the Blessed Sacrament Chapel (Tabernacle). Once the Ciborium is placed into the Tabernacle, and the door is closed and locked, all Ministers will genuflect, together.
  19. Again, the last Minister to use the towel, will fold it neatly and place it behind the bowl. The Ministers will leave the Tabernacle and Altar together (the Minister with the key, returns it to the Altar). Stopping at the foot of the Altar, and facing the Altar, they will bow, and proceed back to their seats.
  20. After the final dismissal, come up to the front and join the Recessional. Again, the Ministers are to position themselves, directly on both sides of Father (don‘t worry too much about this order, if others in the Recessional are mixed in with you). Bow with the others in the Recessional and proceed down the aisle, immediately in front of the Celebrant.
  21. After Mass, you should wash your hands with soap and water.

Please note:

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Coordinator. Thank you for your participation and assistance in Holy Name Parish.