Eucharistic Ministers: The Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion

 “He interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself” (Lk 24:27)

The account of the Risen Jesus appearing to the two disciples on the road to Emmaus helps us to focus on a primary aspect of the Eucharistic mystery, one which should always be present in the devotion of the People of God: The Eucharist is a mystery of light! What does this mean, and what are its implications for Christian life and spirituality? Jesus described himself as the “light of the world” (Jn 8:12), and this quality clearly appears at those moments in his life, like the Transfiguration and the Resurrection, in which his divine glory shines forth brightly. Yet in the Eucharist the glory of Christ remains veiled. The Eucharist is pre-eminently a mysterium fidei. Through the mystery of his complete hiddenness, Christ becomes a mystery of light, thanks to which believers are led into the depths of the divine life. By a happy intuition, Rublëv's celebrated icon of the Trinity clearly places the Eucharist at the centre of the life of the Trinity.

The Eucharist is light above all because at every Mass the liturgy of the Word of God precedes the liturgy of the Eucharist in the unity of the two “tables”, the table of the Word and the table of the Bread. This continuity is expressed in the Eucharistic discourse of Saint John's Gospel, where Jesus begins his teaching by speaking of the mystery of his person and then goes on to draw out its Eucharistic dimension: “My flesh is food indeed, and my blood is drink indeed” (Jn 6:55). We know that this was troubling for most of his listeners, which led Peter to express the faith of the other Apostles and of the Church throughout history: “Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life” (Jn 6:68). In the account of the disciples on the road to Emmaus, Christ himself intervenes to show, “beginning with Moses and all the prophets”, how “all the Scriptures” point to the mystery of his person (cf. Lk 24:27). His words make the hearts of the disciples “burn” within them, drawing them out of the darkness of sorrow and despair, and awakening in them a desire to remain with him: “Stay with us, Lord” (cf. v. 29).

From Mane Nobiscum Domine by Pope John Paul II

Eucharistic Ministers of Holy Communion assist:

• the celebrant of the Mass in the distribution of Holy Communion. They may be asked to assist in the distribution of the Hosts (The Body of Christ) or in ministering the Cup [Chalice] (The Blood of Christ).
• by bringing Holy Communion to parishioners who are unable to participate at Mass, perhaps they are unable to leave their residence, are in a health care facility (Hospital, Extended Care Residence etc.) or a Retirement Home etc.

Those who volunteer for this ministry:

• Need to have received the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist), and be in good moral standing with the Church.
• Need to be considered mature (usually at least 16 years of age) and faithful participants in the Sunday Celebration of the Eucharist.
• Participate in a workshop which provides spiritual and technical training
• Are commissioned by the Bishop of the Diocese for a period of time having been recommended by the pastor.

 For more information about this ministry, please contact: Trish at 905-844-7971. 

ATTENTION Eucharistic Ministers, please check your schedule here.