Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion

Regnum Christi Spirituality Center Ask a Priest

“Ask a Priest: What If a Priest Leaves Laypeople to Distribute Communion?”

Q: What do I do when the priest at Mass does not distribute Communion but lets the extraordinary ministers do it? I don’t understand why this happens, but it’s happened three or four times in the last year. I think receiving from EMs in the hand is an abuse of our Blessed Lord, and I always cross the aisle (if need be) to receive from the priest on the tongue (if only there were altar rails so I could kneel). I have done it both ways: not taken Communion and taken in the hand from the EM, but I don’t feel good about doing either one. What does Jesus want me to do? — B.

Answered by Fr. Edward McIlmail, LC

A: It is true that extraordinary ministers are overused in many places. They should be something of a last resort, not a first preference. Still, it is up to the priest to decide, and so it is not illicit to receive from lay ministers even when in our own judgment the priest should not have to use the lay ministers.

In any case, it might not be good to press the issue. Many priests already have a lot of work and responsibilities on their shoulders. No need to add one more weight on them. Sometimes they might go along with the plethora of extraordinary ministers in order to keep peace in a parish.

This isn’t to say that overuse of extraordinary ministers is OK. But given the very shortage of priests nowadays, many Catholics are happy just to have the chance to receive Communion.

So, it is good to stay focused on why you are receiving Communion, and who it is that awaits you. You receive Jesus in the Eucharist whether the host comes from the hand of a priest or deacon or a lay minister. The one giving out Communion doesn’t detract from what is being given.

(For related reading, see my colleague Father Edward McNamara’s posting here.)

The ideal, of course, is that ordained ministers give out Communion. But even in the absence of that ideal, there is no need to deny yourself Communion.

Keep learning more with Ask a Priest

Got a question? Need an answer?

Today’s secular world throws curve balls at us all the time. AskACatholicPriest is a Q&A feature that anyone can use. Just type in your question or send an email to [email protected] and you will get a personal response back from one of our priests at RCSpirituality. You can ask about anything – liturgy, prayer, moral questions, current events… Our goal is simply to provide a trustworthy forum for dependable Catholic guidance and information. So go ahead and ask your question…

“Ask a Priest: What If a Priest Leaves Laypeople to Distribute Communion?” Read More »

Regnum Christi Spirituality Center Ask a Priest

“Ask a Priest: Are Jeans Proper Dress for Eucharistic Ministers?”

Q: Is wearing jeans appropriate for Eucharistic ministers? This occurs at my parish routinely, and more than one minister wears them. My sponsor taught me that reverence for Christ includes the clothes you wear to church. Do the Eucharistic ministers have the wrong garment? I try not to let it bug me, but I do have reverence for Christ. Our parish priest and several deacons do not seem to care and certainly do not correct them. Please help. -P.R.

Answered by Fr. Edward McIlmail, LC

A: I can sympathize with you. Jeans hardly seem appropriate for someone distributing Communion. Unfortunately, we live in an age that doesn’t have a strong sense of the sacred.

The U.S. bishops’ conference webpage on extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion at Mass says, “All ministers of Holy Communion should show the greatest reverence for the Most Holy Eucharist by their demeanor, their attire, and the manner in which they handle the consecrated bread or wine.”

This is a matter the pastor should best address with the ministers. And if he doesn’t object to the jeans, then I don’t know if it is worth causing tension in the parish.

What you can do is teach by example. Dress well at Mass. Receive Communion with reverence. And look for those opportunities when you can nudge folks in a better direction with a well-placed comment or two.

“Ask a Priest: Are Jeans Proper Dress for Eucharistic Ministers?” Read More »

Scroll to Top

Looking for another country?

RC Near You

News & Resources

News & Resources

The Regnum Christi Mission

The Regnum Christi Identity

Alex Kucera

Atlanta

Alex Kucera has lived in Atlanta, GA, for the last 46 years. He is one of 9 children, married to his wife Karmen, and has 3 girls, one grandson, and a granddaughter on the way. Alex joined Regnum Christi in 2007. Out of the gate, he joined the Helping Hands Medical Missions apostolate and is still participating today with the Ghana Friendship Mission.

In 2009, Alex was asked to be the Atlanta RC Renewal Coordinator for the Atlanta Locality to help the RC members with the RC renewal process. Alex became a Group Leader in 2012 for four of the Atlanta Men’s Section Teams and continues today. Running in parallel, in 2013, Alex became a Team Leader and shepherded a large team of good men.

Alex was honored to be the Atlanta Mission Coordinator between 2010 to 2022 (12 years), coordinating 5-8 Holy Week Mission teams across Georgia. He also created and coordinated missions at a parish in Athens, GA, for 9 years. Alex continues to coordinate Holy Week Missions, Advent Missions, and Monthly missions at Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Cumming, GA.

From 2016 to 2022, Alex also served as the Men’s Section Assistant in Atlanta. He loved working with the Men’s Section Director, the Legionaries, Consecrated, and Women’s Section leadership teams.

Alex is exceptionally grateful to the Legionaries, Consecrated, and many RC members who he’s journeyed shoulder to shoulder, growing his relationship with Christ and others along the way. He knows that there is only one way, that’s Christ’s Way, with others!