Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
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Information for Extraordinary Ministers of Holy CommunionIf you are currently an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion (EMHC), thank you for your ministry in your parish. If you are currently wondering about becoming an EMHC, thank you for prayerfully considering this ministry.
Below you will find helpful information for you as an EMHC. You will find information from the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, our Particular Law here in Austin, and some best practices. As always, if you need more information or have any questions or concerns, please reach out to the Office of Worship and we'll be happy to help! -
United States Conference of Catholic BishopsThe USCCB has produced an overview of the role of the EMHC. It provides an overview of the ministry of the EMHC and general information on how the EMHC ought to conduct his or her ministry during the Liturgy of the Eucharist. This document should be read together with the particular law from the Diocese of Austin to provide the clearest picture of the role and requirements of the EMHC
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Code of Particular Law of the Diocese of AustinIn Book 3: The Sanctifying Function of the Church, the Code of Particular Law, Chapter 5: Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, the role and requirements as practiced in the Diocese of Austin are supplied.
As a reminder, EMHCs receive a mandate from the Bishop. That can be requested by filling out the form linked below. The EMHCs are also to be commissioned in the parish. However, before that commissioning takes place, formation requirements are outlined in the document.
The particular law also outlines the qualities an EMHC must have, including, but not limited to, being fully initiated, having a manifest devotion to the Blessed Sacrament, and living a life of faith in accord with the function undertaken. Please use the link below to see the full list of requirements (Book 3: pages 16-17). -
More information for Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
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Through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, may the Holy Spirit kindle within us the same ardour experienced by the disciples on the way to Emmaus (cf. Lk 24:13-35) and renew our "eucharistic wonder" through the splendour and beauty radiating from the liturgical rite, the efficacious sign of the infinite beauty of the holy mystery of God. Those disciples arose and returned in haste to Jerusalem in order to share their joy with their brothers and sisters in the faith. True joy is found in recognizing that the Lord is still with us, our faithful companion along the way. The Eucharist makes us discover that Christ, risen from the dead, is our contemporary in the mystery of the Church, his body. Of this mystery of love we have become witnesses. Let us encourage one another to walk joyfully, our hearts filled with wonder, towards our encounter with the Holy Eucharist, so that we may experience and proclaim to others the truth of the words with which Jesus took leave of his disciples: "Lo, I am with you always, until the end of the world" (Mt 28:20). (Sacramentum Caritatis, 97)