Eucharistic Minister Training Outline

Eucharistic Minister Training Outline - 2010

What is a Eucharistic Minister?

1973, diocesan bishops were authorized to commission Catholic laity to distribute communion at Mass and take communion to the sick or dying.
Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist
You serve the faith community in a way that is a great privilege and a form of humble service.

E.M.s should:

Be practicing confirmed Catholics that are dedicated to growing in holiness
Set an example for the assembly at liturgy
Be an example of Christ in the community
Be observant of the Lord’s command to love your neighbor. “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you” (John 15:12)

The Mystery of the Eucharist

John 6:54-57
Bread and wine become the body and blood of Christ
Christ is fully present in both species. Body and blood, soul and divinity.
Handling, serving, consuming, and cleansing should be done with the respect that this is the true body and blood of Christ.

Roles of an E.M.

God lives in you
The perfect transformation of ordinary bread and wine into the whole person of the risen Christ.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions when in doubt.
Pray before the Eucharist

We share hope
We nourish hope
We all have our crosses to carry
Make the extra effort to convey the hope and peace of Christ when you serve Communion to each individual

Preparation to serve

Your Appearance

· Dress Properly. This does not have to be expensive or fancy. It simply means clothing that is neat, clean, and reasonably modest. Preferably shirts should have collars. Shoes are preferred over sandals.
Observe good habits of personal hygiene including neatly trimmed and clean fingernails.
Avoid tee shirts, particularly those with slogans, noisy jewelry, glittery nail polish, novelty ties, and anything else that could draw undo attention to yourself
If you don’t feel you are dressed appropriately, you may put on a robe as the altar servers do, before mass starts.

Ministers of the Bread

Pick up one piece and hold it in the line of sight between your eyes and the person to whom you are speaking.
Do not raise the eucharistic bread above the two of you
Look into the person’s eyes and in a clear, gentle, audible but not too loud a voice say, “The Body of Christ”.
The person receiving will reply with, “Amen”.
Either gently place the Eucharistic bread in their hand or on their tongue.
Always smile

What if a piece of the Eucharistic bread is dropped?

Don’t panic or draw attention to the situation.
Stop serving and pick it up.
Either consume or place it in your hand, on the altar or under the ciborium, and continue to serve.
If the person you are serving is responsible for dropping the Eucharist, ensure them it is okay. Accidents do happen, serve them again.

Ministers of the Cup

Before distributing, open up your purificator.
Elevate the cup to about the chin level of the person receiving.
· Look into the person’s eyes and in a clear, gentle, audible but not too loud a voice say, “The Blood of Christ”.
The person receiving will reply with, “Amen”.
Slowly hand the cup over. Be sure the person has hold of the cup before releasing. Note: Children, some elderly and disabled my not be able to hold the cup and may need partial assistance.
After the person has consumed from the cup, take the cup back and wipe the area, inside and out, with a clean area of the purificator.
Turn the cup ¼ turn
Always smile

What if some of the precious blood is spilt?

Don’t panic or draw attention to the situation.
If it is a small spill, cover it with your purificator.
Retrieve another purificator and continue serving.
If the person you are serving is responsible for the spill, ensure them it is okay. Accidents do happen.
If it is a large spill, go to the sacristy and get a large towel or additional purificators to soak up the spill.
After Mass, the floor must be properly cleaned with water and all items used to clean the spill must be placed with the purificators to be rinsed out with the other sacred linen.

Cleansing the ciborium – Priest does this

The remaining Eucharistic bread should be placed in the tabernacle.
Pour enough water in the ciborium to collect the crumbs that remain.
Gently swirl the water around to collect all the remaining crumbs into the water.
Lift up the ciborium, say “The body of Christ”, and consume the water.
Ensure that all the remains of the Eucharistic bread are removed and dry the ciborium with a purificator.

Cleansing the cup-Priest does this

Other Situations and Scenarios

· If someone wants to receive a blessing with out receiving communion, they should participate in the communion procession with their arms crossed and hands on their shoulders.
· Proper blessings of someone not receiving communion including a baby or young child could be a sign of the cross on the forehead and a simple verbal blessing such as:

It is not our role to refuse communion to anyone that comes up for communion. It is not our role to judge those who come forward.
As a Eucharistic Minister, you may well be perceived as a leader at Sacred Heart Church. This could result in people approaching you with requests for assistance or questions. If you are not sure what to do, tell them you will check and get back with them. (If priest is readily available and they are willing, you might walk them over to the priest.) Then check with Father or another leader in the parish for assistance. Make sure you get back to the person who first contacted you when you have the appropriate response.

Bringing Communion to the Sick

· Consult with priest first
· Take a consecrated host in the proper container, (Pix) from the tabernacle.
· Get in touch with the person through prayer, scripture reading and conversation.
Perform the communion service itself.
A few minutes of neighborly visit.
Say an informal blessing and goodbye.
See separate sheet regarding taking communion to the sick.