Extra-ordinary Ministers of Communion

     Just as Jesus fed those who hungered, so he feeds us with his Body & Blood.
Just as he gave bread and Fish to the Disciples, who then gave them to the People, so the Church entrusts the Communion Ministers to assist the Priest to distribute Holy Communion at mass, to Shut Ins, Persons in Hospitals, Homes and institutions. From 1972, Communion Ministers were also entrusted to give communion to those who are dying (Viaticum).

HISTORY: This Ministry was born because of several practical necessities. In the Middle Ages, the Ministry was restricted to Bishops and Priests. Deacons were considered the extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion.

The Second Vatican Council opened up the Ministry of distributing Holy Communion and also changed the use of the word Extraordinary. Because deacons are ordained clergy, the Council included them among ministers of Holy Communion. In addition, the Council permitted Bishops to appoint lay people to distribute Communion and these were now called extraordinary Ministers. Although many of them are extraordinary according to the common definition of someone wonderful and exceptional, the word here means “outside the ordinary” that is they are not among those in Holy Orders who, by reason of Ordination, have the responsibility of providing Communion to the faithful.