SPECIAL MINISTERS OF HOLY COMMUNION, MASS PREPARATION SHEET – 5 MINISTERS
DRESS: You should always dress appropriately to administer Holy Communion.
BEFORE MASS: It is imperative that you arrive at the Sacristy 30 minutes before your assigned Mass and do the following:
1. Get the Tabernacle key from the safe and check the Tabernacle from the Chapel side to see how many Ciboria are inside. If there are two and you can consolidate host into one Ciborium, do so and then bring the empty Ciborium to the back and purify it before adding communion breads for Mass. Never place unconsecrated breads in the Tabernacle. Lock the Tabernacle on the Chapel side and unlock it on the Church side leaving the key in the door.
2. Bring processional cross to the back of the Church. All ministers should wash their hands before doing the following:
3. You will need 2 Ciboria (this includes the one in the Tabernacle) and one Paten with enough communion breads for each Mass.
4. Add wine to the larger decanter and water in the smaller one.
5. Add water to the pitcher used for washing hands and place a clean small towel in the bowl and place them on the Credence table.
6. Place three (3) purificators on the right side of the Altar. Place one (1) Chalice and three (3) wine cups on the Credence table.
7. Place the two (2) Decanters and large Paten and Ciborium/Ciboria at the back of church for gift bearers. Make sure you have placed the large host in the Paten.
(PLEASE SIT NEAR THE FRONT OF CHURCH AND ON THE SIDE NEAREST YOUR SERVING POSITION)
PROCESSION - Special Minister leads procession flanked by altar servers followed by the Lector and Priest. Walk at a SLOW pace. (Recessional is the same format)
AFTER THE SIGN OF PEACE BUT BEFORE THE LAMB OF GOD - Approach the Sanctuary in preparation for distribution of Holy Communion and take your positions for receiving Communion. One Minister should retrieve the Ciborium/Ciboria from the Tabernacle and place it/them on the Altar, remove the lids and then take his/her position for receiving Communion. (Note: you may leave the Tabernacle door open)
HOLY COMMUNION – The Ministers will receive Communion from the Priest. The Priest will then hand each minister a Ciborium or cup. Make sure that the altar servers receive communion before taking you position to distribute the Body and Blood of Christ to the congregation. When distributing the Body of Christ, the Eucharistic Minister should hold the host up and looking into the parishioner's eyes and say the words "THE BODY OF CHRIST". (For those children and adults who come forward, but are not receiving Communion you may place you hand on their forehead and say “God Bless you” or “Peace be with you”. When giving the Blood of Christ, the Ministers should also look the parishioner in the eyes and say "THE BLOOD OF CHRIST". (Note: Wipe the rim of the cups thoroughly after each person drinks from it. Rotate the cup after wiping).
AFER HOLY COMMUNION: The ministers will take the sacred vessels to the altar, not the credence table, and reverently consume the leftover sacred species in the wine cups, and reverently place them and the purification cloths on the altar. Be sure to bring the small cruet of water to the altar for Father’s use in purification. The person who ministered Communion under the form of bread will take the ciborium to the tabernacle, lock the tabernacle, (DO NOT REMOVE THE KEY) and return to his/her place in the congregation.
Father will purify the sacred vessels at the altar. After purification, the ministers should reverently remove the vessels, cruet, and purification cloths from the altar and place them on the credence table and return to their seats.
After Mass: Retrieve the Tabernacle key (DO NOT PUT KEY IN YOUR POCKET) and place it in the safe. Place the cross back in the church. All Ministers should assist in bringing the sacred vessels back to the Sacristy and purifying them with hot water and soap. Place the Ciborium, cups, Paten, etc. in the safe. (Note 8:30 Mass should leave them out for the 11:00 Mass).
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NOTE: If you are unable to serve at your scheduled Mass, it is your responsibility to get a replacement. Also, on some occasions the CYO will serve at one of the Masses. (Approximately once a month). If this happens on your scheduled day, you should assist them in the preparation of the bread and wine before Mass. They in turn will distribute Communion and after Mass, make sure that the sacred vessels have been purified.