Fourteen years ago when Adriana Gamboa was first asked to consider becoming an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion (EMHC), she had some doubts. She didn’t feel qualified for the position, but she was encouraged to, “Remember this is not a privilege, it’s a service. Don’t answer now, pray about it.”
In a large parish like St. Faustina’s the ministry of EMHC is essential. Without the EMHC to assist the priest and deacons the distribution of Holy Communion to the faithful would take far too long. This would then make it difficult to have several Masses throughout the day. It is also important that those who are homebound are able to receive the Holy Eucharist. Many of the EMHC receive additional training so that they are able to distribute Communion when a priest or deacon is unable to do so.
As Adriana’s eyes were opened to the need for parishioners to serve in this ministry, she began to feel the Holy Spirit nudging her to respond to the call. She shared, “I can still vividly remember not being able to forget the initial invitation to serve as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion. Conversations with my husband, my prayers, and a strong, sweet, joyful feeling from the bottom of my heart permeated my days. I could no longer resist and I decided to attend the training.”
Because the most precious gift that the Lord entrusted to His Church is the Most Holy Eucharist, the Sacrament of His Body and Blood, the process to become an EMHC is a bit longer than for most other ministries in the Church. The Blessed Sacrament, as Vatican II stated, is the summit of our worship as Catholics. It is the pastor’s responsibility to ensure that the Most Holy Eucharist is truly the center of parish life and that the faithful are nourished through a devout celebration of all the sacraments especially through frequent reception of the Most Holy Eucharist and Penance (Canon 528 #2).
For Adriana, the time of training helped her grow in her understanding and reverence of the Holy Eucharist. She recalled that it was Bishop George Shultz (then Msgr. George) who explained the theology of the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist and gave instructions about how the Blessed Sacrament must be carried with the utmost reverence. She confessed, “I also remember being more than a little bit overwhelmed with mixed feelings of inadequacy and frustration because of my liturgical ignorance. However, that didn’t take away the joy and excitement of actually being present in what, for me, felt like an undeserved privilege.”
It was during Adriana’s training that she learned of an important distinction. Often, the term “Eucharistic Minister” is used to describe those involved in this ministry. However, that title does not exist in the Code of Canon Law. The proper name for those serving in this ministry is “Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion”. The word “Extraordinary” is necessary in order to emphasize that those who serve in this capacity are not ordinary ministers. An Ordinary Minister of Holy Communion Canon is a bishop, priest, or deacon. The Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion is either an acolyte or another member of the faithful who can only serve in this capacity in determined circumstances. To preserve the reverence that is due to Our Lord in the Most Blessed Sacrament, the Holy Eucharist should not be handled casually by the unordained. Extraordinary ministers are entrusted with the Sacred Body and Blood of Christ. Their duty is to serve Him with utmost reverence and serve the community of the faithful in a very humble and pastoral way when there are not sufficient ordinary ministers for the distribution of Holy Communion.
Since becoming an EMHC, Adriana has experienced many graces in her own life. She says, “I have learned to put all my trust in Him, every day. Not only has my faith grown tremendously, but I’m a different person. Still a sinner, but one that can admit it and tries to be better. I’m a more merciful and more productive Catholic every day, in every aspect of my life.”
Adriana has also seen blessings in the lives of those around her. She shared about the many answered prayers, conversions, and healing stories she has been able to witness because of her role as an EMHC. These stories have increased her own faith and allowed her to experience the depths of the joy it is to be able to receive Jesus, God Himself in the Most Blessed Sacrament of the Altar.
When asked to share what she loves most about being an EMHC, Adriana replied, “After having received Holy Communion, the Extraordinary Minister gets to hold a sacred vessel, containing the Sacred Body or the Precious Blood of Christ, the sacred greatest gift that we could have ever been given, the sacrament of our redemption. It is very difficult to contain emotions. My heart is burning with joy as I share this incredible, mysterious and mystical banquet with my brothers and sisters in Christ.”
Adriana hopes that many will be inspired to serve the Lord and the community of St. Faustina’s through this ministry. She reminds us that, “the Lord doesn’t call the most capable, but the ones who are willing to serve.”
The process begins with discernment and prayer. EMHC must be Catholics in good standing that have a love of the Eucharist and wish to serve their fellow parishioners. If you decide to answer this call, send an email to the Ministry Coordinator at eom@saintfaustinacatholicchurch.org. After approval, you will be instructed, trained and given the Bishop's mandate.
As Bishop Barron said, “Why wouldn’t you want to be a part of this? What stops you from serving Our Lord in whichever way He calls you to? Pray about it…”