Under certain circumstances or pastoral demands, lay men and women may be delegated to distribute Holy Communion by a bishop or a priest. These persons are known as “Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion” and there are guidelines for this. In fact, becoming an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion includes four elements of preparation; they are: Selection, Formation, Mandate by a Competent Authorityand Commission.
Therefore, without prejudice to the supreme reverence of the sacrament, it is not a sacrilege to have lay people who have undergone the aforementioned process to assist in distributing Holy Communion. In Numbers 11:16-17 Moses brought 70 men before the Lord to be commissioned in order to assist him in bearing burdens. In Luke 9:16 After Jesus gave thanks, blessed and broke the bread, he gave them to the disciples to distribute to the people.
It is important to note that the Ordinary Ministers of Holy Communion are bishops, priests, and deacons. These persons
distribute Holy Communion by virtue of their ordination.
The role of the Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion does not replace that of the Ordinary Ministers, but supplements it on a provisional basis. So, where the Ordinary Ministers are available in good number the Extraordinary ministers cease to function. And if the communion rite will not be prolonged unduly they are not to function.
Apart from distributing Holy Communion within the Mass, Extraordinary ministers can as well exercise the ministry of the word, preside over liturgical prayers, confer baptism and distribute Holy Communion to the sick where Ministers are not available. Religious sisters and brothers may equally carry out these functions if they have been mandated.
God bless you 🙏
Father Daniel Evbotokhai
