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St. Gregory The Great

Liturgical Schedules

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Eucharistic Ministers

 

“TAKE AND EAT, THIS IS MY BODY… DRINK FROM IT,
ALL OF YOU, FOR THIS IS MY BLOOD…”

Matthew 26:26-28

 

The sign of communion is more complete when given under both kinds, since the sign of the Eucharistic meal appears more clearly. The intention of Christ that the new and eternal covenant be ratified in His blood is better expressed, as is the relation of the Eucharistic banquet to the heavenly banquet.

Sacramentary #240

So that the importance of the words of Christ at the Last Supper may be more fully realized and that the faithful may have greater participation in the Eucharistic mystery, communion under both species is to be desired in all celebrations of the Mass, although this is not possible in all cases. Communion under both kinds manifests to a greater extent the nature of the mystery of the Mass, at once both a sacrifice and a sacred banquet.

Excerpts from This Holy and Living Sacrifice – Directory for the Celebration and Reception of Communion Under Both Kinds.

Copyright 1985, USCC

As a Eucharistic Minister, you have been called to a most beautiful ministry. You are not simply a “Communion Distributor”, you are a servant at the Eucharistic Banquet of which Christ Himself is the Host. Take time to reflect on the meaning, and practice of your ministry. It will deeply enrich your own awareness of the mystery of Christ and that of the people you serve.

The communion rite is the climax of the entire Eucharistic liturgy. The gathering of the community, the proclamation of God’s word, the offering in the Eucharistic prayer – all are directed toward the moment of communion in which we, the many, fed with His own Body and Blood, are made one in the Lord. In the light of this, Eucharistic Ministers should see those they serve as brothers and sisters in Christ without regard for status, wealth, sex, age or race.

DO’S AND DON’T’S

It is important to remember that you bring Christ to the communicant, not only in the form of bread or wine, but also by your every action and word. Because of this, please remember:

  1. DO NOT RUSH. This is not a ministry for efficiency experts.
  2. The meeting of the minister and communicant is only for a moment. Focus your attention on the person to whom you are ministering. Look at the person, your brother or sister in Christ, with warmth and friendliness.
  3. Speak to that person, not to the air or the bread or the chalice. Hold up the Body of Christ or the chalice and, looking the person in the eye, say “The Body of Christ. The Blood of Christ.” Wait a moment for the response, “Amen.”
  4. Do not allow individuals to dip the Body of Christ into the chalice. This is called intinction and is not an acceptable practice of the Roman Catholic Rite.
  5. Gently place the Body of Christ in the palm or on the tongue of the person, allowing each to indicate the manner of receiving. When placing the Body of Christ or chalice in a person’s hand be firm, but do not rush. When the chalice is returned, carefully wipe the rim with the purificator, turn the chalice, and then raise your eyes to welcome the next communicant.
  6. Your reverence for the persons you serve and for the sacrament will show itself in all your actions:
  • In the way you walk (slowly, with dignity)
  • In the way you stand (relaxed, without stiffness)
  • In the way you hold the ciborium or chalice
  • In the way you minister (unhurried, deliberate movements)

 

 

“Be faithful in the work you do, for through it the Lord saves his people.”
Austin Fleming

 

Yours
is a share in the work of the Lord’s Spirit who makes of us one bread, one body, the cup of blessing which we bless.
Yours
is the work of ministering Christ’s body and blood in the body of Christ, the church.
Yours
is service at the Lord’s reconciling table. You name for each of us the gifts we have offered and the gifts we receive:
“The Body of Christ, the Blood of Christ.”
Yours
is the ministry of the One who was broken and poured out for our sake: the ministry of Christ who is our Passover and our lasting peace. Come to your work from your personal prayer, praying that the Lord will heal your brokenness as you break and pour out yourselves for others.

Remember…The purity of the gifts you minister And How great is your need for the Lord’s mercy.
Learn to love the Eucharist you minister:

  • let it heal the hurt your heart is slow to acknowledge:
  • let it make you one with all that is living:
  • let it help you revere all those whom you serve.

Ministers of the Eucharist are many; truly Eucharistic Ministers are what you must become. Let your service at the Lord’s Table make of your life a table of mercy and welcome for all you know & meet.

  • In and outside the worship space, reverence those you serve as you would reverence the sacrament you minister.
  • When you minister to friends and family, remember that the greatest bond you share is in the Lord.
  • When you minister to visitors and strangers, reverence them as you would your closest friend.
  • When you minister to those with whom you are at odds, reverence them as the Lord does you in your sin. Some will esteem you as “holy” because of the work you do: remember that your holiness is the Lord’s work within you.
  • When you are asked to serve at inconvenient times, let the needs of God’s people be your first consideration.
  • When you begin to think that your ministry makes you an important person in the community, remember that what the Lord did at the table became a sign of the Cross.
  • When your brothers and sisters praise and thank you for your work, take delight in the communion you share with them in Christ and rejoice in the work the Lord has accomplished through you.
St. Gregory The Great