Mary, Mother of God

Roman Catholic Church

In every celebration of the Eucharist, there should be a sufficient number of Ministers of Holy Communion so that it may be distributed in a reverent and orderly manner. Bishops, priests and deacons distribute Holy Communion in virtue of their office as Ordinary Ministers of the Body and Blood of the Lord. For large parishes such as ours, since we do not always have enough Ordinary Ministers, we require Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (EMHC or EMs) to assist at Mass. 

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion also bring Holy Communion to the homebound and those in assisted living and nursing homes. Usually the priest sends the ministers before the final blessing at the 9:00 am Mass. This is an extremely important and moving part of this ministry. All Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion are called to visit the sick and shut-ins unless they are unable to do so for personal reasons.

Some History:
It was in 1971 that Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion were first permitted in the United States. At that time the Congregation of the Sacraments responded to a request of the American bishops to allow laypersons to assist priests in giving Holy Communion.

In January 1973, Pope Paul VI, in the instruction "Immensae Cariatis," extended this permission to the universal Church.

Patron Saint: Tarcisius, Martyr of the Eucharist

A tradition dating from the sixth century says that St. Tarcisius was an acolyte whose fidelity and courage so impressed the leaders of the Church during the persecution of Valerian that he was entrusted with taking the Blessed Sacrament secretly to the Christians who awaited martyrdom in prison. This custom arose when the priests who ministered to the prisoners would be easily discovered, while the acolytes were less known to the heathens.

The Roman Martyrology, based on the fourth-century poem of Pope St. Damasus, gives the story of the “boy martyr of the Eucharist” in these words: “At Rome, on the Appian Way, the passion of St. Tarcisius the acolyte, whom pagans met carrying the sacrament of the Body of Christ and asked him what it was he was carrying. He deemed it a shameful thing to cast pearls before the swine, and so was assaulted by them for a long time with clubs and stones until he gave up the ghost. When they turned over his body, the sacrilegious assailants could find no trace of Christ’s Sacrament either in his hands or in his clothing. The Christians took up the body of the martyr and buried it with honor in the cemetery of Callistus.”

In his poem, Pope Damasus compares St. Tarcisius with St. Stephen who was stoned by the Jews, and praises the martyr for suffering a cruel death rather than surrender “the divine Body to raging dogs.”   He was originally buried in the Catacombs of San Callisto and the inscription by Damasus was placed later on his tomb. Some time later his relics were moved to the San Silvestro in Capite church in Rome. His feast day is celebrated on 15 August.  He is also the patron saint of Altar Servers and 1st Communicants.

St. Tarcisius is venerated as … an example of loving and heroic devotion to our Lord in the Holy Eucharist.

Taken from”A Saint A Day” by Berchmans Bittle, O.F.M.Cap., published by The Bruce Publishing Company, Milwaukee (c) 1958

Mary, Mother of God Ministry Schedule for Extraordinary Ministers, Readers and Altar Servers.

Password Protected Ministry Homepage (requires username and password)

The complete instruction guide for Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist can be found on the password protected ministry website.

Mary, Mother of God Instructions for the Sacristan

Mary, Mother of God Communion to the Homebound Guide