Guidelines for Ministers of Communion at Jesus, Our Risen Savior
Say a Prayer before Mass Thanking God for the Privilege of being one of His Servants
- Check the on line schedule or pick up a Quarterly Calendar at the beginning of each quarter in the Sacristy, to determine your assignments. (Ministers of Communion – MC aka Eucharistic Ministers – EM)
- Arrive about 20 Minutes before Mass sign in, and notify the Sacristan of your presence. If not scheduled always let the Sacristan know that you are available.
- When signing in indicate your preference – Chalice or Ciborium (Shown on the signup sheet as Host or Cup)
- Obtain a Gold Cross from the niche in the Sacristy and wear it during Mass.
- Assemble about 5 minutes before Mass in the Gathering Space with the Celebrant when he prays.
- Assemble in the center door way behind the Altar Servers and parade in after the bell has been rung. Stop at the first step of the Altar and bow, reverencing the Altar, when the Celebrant does; then return to your seat.
- After the Celebrate finishes taking Communion, proceed to the area behind the Altar. The two MC’s of the Ciborium or Host stand just on the edge of the rug on the St. Francis Caracciolo side of the Altar facing the Altar, and the four MC’s of the Chalice or cup stand on the edge of the rug perpendicular to the Altar on the St. Francis Caracciolo side of the Altar. The Deacon or the Sacristan will normally give you communion.
- The Celebrant will bring you either the Ciborium or Chalice, with a Purificator.
- When He leaves the Altar you follow him to your respective location.
- FOR MC’s with the Chalice: To administer the Chalice; holding the Chalice in your right hand and supporting it from the bottom with your left hand with the Purificator over your left hand. Looking into the eyes of the recipient and say: ‘The Blood of Christ’. When the recipient replies Amen or an equivalent statement extend your hand for the recipient to take the Chalice. When the Chalice is returned to you, wipe the outer lip and inside of the lip with the Purificator while rotating the Chalice a little. You are now ready for the next person. (This is one way. You may dispense the Blood of Christ in a way convenient to you, BUT the recipient must respond with an AMEN; and the lip of the cup is to be cleaned with the Purificator and rotated for the next person.) When Communion is over or your Chalice is empty proceed to the Credence Table with the Purificator covering the Chalice. If there is still wine in your Chalice, consume it, while facing the back wall of the Altar. Place the empty Chalice and the Purificator on the Credence table and leave the Altar. (Don’t forget to bow reverencing the Altar at the bottom of the steps.) If the Celebrant, Deacon, or the Sacristan is taking the Consecrated Host to the Tabernacle, stay on the Altar till the Door is closed, locked, and the person moves away from the Tabernacle, then leave.
FOR MC’s with the Ciborium: To administer the Host; holding the Ciborium in your left hand and holding a Consecrated Host between your thumb and forefinger with your right hand over the Ciborium, looks into the eyes of the recipient and say: ‘The Body of Christ’. When the recipient replies Amen or an equivalent statement place the Host in the recipient’s hand. Should the recipient desire to receive the Host on their tongue, place the Ciborium under their chin as if were a Paten and place the Host on their tongue. When Communion is over or your Ciborium is empty proceed to the Altar, with your right thumb and forefinger together over the Ciborium; and place the Ciborium on the Altar. If the Ciborium is empty place it on the Credence Table. Wash your thumb and forefinger in the Ablution bowl (the small bowl of water) on the Credence Table or to the right of the Tabernacle. There is a Purificator adjacent to the bowl for drying. Then leave the Altar. (Don’t forget to bow reverencing the Altar at the bottom of the steps.) If the Celebrant, Deacon, or the Sacristan is taking the Consecrated Host to the Tabernacle, stay on the Altar till the Door is closed, locked, and the person moves away from the Tabernacle then leave.
- Your job is done; just do not forget to return the Cross to the Sacristy. Sometimes you can help the Sacristan remove items from the Altar and help him/her clean up the Sacristy.
- For Reference: When the Deacon is not there the Sacristan takes his place when distributing Communion.
If There Is a Spill or a Host is dropped on the Floor
For a Spill: Immediately cover the Spill with the Purificator; retrieve the extra Purificator on the Credence Table; and continue to distribute Communion. When Communion is finished return to the Sanctuary, and Notify the Celebrant.
For a Dropped Host: Pick it up; consume it; and continue distributing Communion.
To be a Minister of Communion is one of the Great Honors and Gifts that can be bestowed on Parishioners for you hold Christ in your hand and give Him to the Faithful.