Eucharistic Minister

Catholic. What it means to me to be a Eucharistic minister, and how it changed my life. I understand how St. Stephen must have felt, carring the Body of Christ to others in prison. The reality of understanding what he was carrying, caused him to die, rather than reveal to the Romans what he was bringing to others. There is no reason to die for something that "represents" the Body of Christ, he died at the hands of the Romans, because he knew he was carrying the actual Body of Christ.

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[crabstu]

Mr. Silva,

I understand the need for EMHCs and your happiness in providing this service to those who can't come to Mass, but I must point out that only priests can rightly be called Eucharistic Ministers. From Redemptioninis Sacramentum: "As has already been recalled, the only minister who can confect the Sacrament of the Eucharist in persona Christi is a validly ordained Priest. Hence the name minister of the Eucharist belongs properly to the Priest alone."

[stevesilvia]

crabstu, we are called ministers because of the shortage of priests in some cities. We bring the already blessed Sacrament to those in hospitals and in homes, where Catholics cannot come to church because of illness. Even the first Christians used ministers to help bring the Eucharist to those in prison, for example St Stephan, who was killed by the Romans for refusing to reveal what he was delivering to those in prison.

[crabstu]

I understand the functions and the purpose of the ministry. What I am pointing out, by use of Church documents, is that the term "Eucharistic Minister" may only be used to refer to a priest. The role you are fulfilling is as an "Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion (EMHC)." The term "Extraordinary" denotes that it is not the norm and should be used sparingly such as when you take communion to those in hospitals but certainly not as a regular part of Mass.

[stevesilvia]

crabstu, you are correct...

[PikSokolit]

Im a conservative catholic and believe the holy eucharist should be given out only by priests. Laypeople shouldnt be doing this under no circumstance, its an abomination to God.

Liberalism has infested the Catholic church and it saddens me.

[stevesilvia]

PikSokolit, St Stephen was killed taking the Eucharist to those in prison. Since the first Christians did it, it is not wrong...

[HealingMercy]

I appreciate your video. I'm planning to go to EMHC training this weekend. I've been putting it off for sometime because I do not feel worthy. Your video is inspiring. Please keep me in your prayers.

For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.

[crabstu]

@stevesilvia

And you are a gentleman. God bless.

[crabstu]

cont....

You help with Communion, you don't confect the Eucharist. Only a priest can do that. That's the difference.

[moneymasterjet]

"Be what you see, and receive what you are."  That is truly profound. BEING-ness, IS-ness. All I need is right here, right now. The Presence Abides...So I abide. I see and receive (accept) this moment. Holy Moment.