What’s an extraordinary minister of communion?

What’s an extraordinary minister of communion?
By Joseph Walsh
“Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion” is the formal title of laypeople who distribute the Eucharist during Mass. As the title implies, there are also “ordinary ministers” – those who are literally “ordained” to the ministry namely bishops, priests, and deacons. These ministers are usually the first in order to distribute the Body and Blood of Christ, the deacon being the customary distributor of the cup.
In most places, especially when Communion is offered under the forms of both bread and wine, there are rarely enough “ordinary” ministers for the timely distribution of Communion.
Through the local diocese and often at the parish level, Communion ministers receive spiritual, theological, and practical preparation to fulfill their role with knowledge and reverence. Such preparation addresses appropriate attire, demeanor, and the manner in which to handle the consecrated bread and wine. For example, should there be any mishaps with the consecrated wine, the area should be washed with water, which then is poured into the sacrarium, a special sink that drains into the ground.
A complete description of the regulations may be found in the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Norms for the Distribution and Reception of Holy Communion Under Both Kinds for the Dioceses of the United States of America (USCCB Publishing).
By Joseph Walsh, a professor of social work a deacon at Ascension Church in Oak Park, Illinois.
This article appeared in the August 2009 issue of U.S. Catholic (Vol. 76, No. 8, pages 37-38).