Grace Thompson
In the Catholic Church, the term minister is used to refer to a person who is commissioned to perform some act on behalf of the church, which can include clergy such as bishops, deacons, and priests, as well as non-clergy like theologians and lay ecclesial ministers. These ministers are responsible for the liturgical administration of sacraments and the exercise of the lay apostolate. There are different types of ministers in the Catholic Church, such as Eucharistic ministers, who are responsible for distributing Holy Communion, and liturgical lay ministers, which include lectors, altar servers, and acolytes. To become a Eucharistic minister, individuals undergo training and the Rite of Commission, after which they are commissioned for a five-year term of service. The term minister is not used by ordained or professed persons but is a generic term for those performing a service function.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who is a minister? | In Catholicism, a "minister" is a catch-all generic term for a person who is performing some service function on behalf of the Catholic Church. |
| Who can be a minister? | Theologians and lay ecclesial ministers are not necessarily ordained, while bishops, presbyters, and deacons are ordained. While only the latter are considered clergy by the Catholic Church, all are considered ministers in the professional and vocational sense. |
| What are the types of ministers? | Liturgical lay ministries include lectors, altar servers, acolytes, cantors and music ministers, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, ushers or ministers of hospitality. Catechetical lay ministries include catechists, dismissal leaders, retreat leaders, youth group leaders, and Scout religious emblems counselors. |
| What are the qualifications to be a minister? | Usually, ministers hold a master's degree in theology, divinity, pastoral ministry, or religious education. Some are ordained or have made promises or vows to a religious community, while others are not and are merely employed by a particular parish or diocese or religious community. |
| What are the duties of a Eucharistic minister? | Eucharistic ministers are responsible for the distribution of Holy Communion: at Mass, to the sick or homebound, or in hospitals/nursing homes for a communion service. They should dress modestly and sit near the front of the church. They should not touch people when distributing communion. |
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What You'll Learn
Dress modestly and appropriately for the occasion
Although the Catholic Church has no official dress code for Mass, there is an unwritten dress code that demands that attendees dress modestly and appropriately out of respect, honour, and reverence for God.
For women, it is recommended to avoid low-cut tops, particularly those that expose the décolletage or pectoral region. Skirts and dresses should be knee-length, and it is also advised to avoid clothing that exposes the shoulders or back. Form-fitting clothing should also be avoided, as it can be a needless distraction for others. Women are also encouraged to cover their hair with a veil or shawl, especially in the presence of the Eucharist, as a sign of modesty and respect.
Men should also avoid wearing tight or form-fitting clothing, as well as revealing clothing such as tank tops, shorts, or torn t-shirts. While it is common for men to wear dressy shorts in the summertime, these should ideally be knee-length or close to it.
In general, it is best to avoid casual clothing such as sweatpants, yoga pants, pyjamas, and gym clothes. Instead, it is recommended to wear modest and respectful attire, such as dresses, formal outfits, suits, button-down shirts, polo shirts, and nice pants. It is important to remember that dressing appropriately for Mass is a way to show reverence and honour to God and to teach children about the importance of the occasion.
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Understand the different types of ministers and their roles
The term "minister" is a broad term meaning "servant" and is used to describe leaders of religious congregations. While the term is most commonly used for Protestant Christian leaders, it also applies to Catholic priests.
In the Catholic Church, the term "minister" is used in various ways. It can refer to a person, lay or ordained, who performs some act on behalf of the Church. It is a collective term for vocational or professional pastoral leaders, including clergy (bishops, deacons, priests) and non-clergy (theologians and lay ecclesial ministers).
The Catholic Church has three orders of ordained clergy: bishops, priests, and deacons. Bishops are the primary clergy, administering all sacraments and governing the church. They are the chief shepherds and principal liturgists of their dioceses. Priests administer the sacraments and lead local congregations, and deacons play a non-sacramental and assisting role in the liturgy. Priests are responsible for celebrating the sacraments of the church, such as the Eucharist (or Communion), Confession and Reconciliation, Baptism, and Anointing of the Sick.
In addition to the ordained ministries, there are roles in the liturgy performed by laypeople, such as acolytes (altar servers), lectors, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, cantors, choir members, instrumentalists, leaders of song, and ushers.
The term "minister" can also be used interchangeably with "pastor" or "priest" in some religious traditions. Pastors typically serve a congregation or parish and are usually ordained to perform religious rites such as baptisms, marriages, and funerals. They also manage the operations of the church, including budgeting, organizing events, and coordinating volunteer efforts.
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Learn the liturgical law and guidelines for administering Holy Communion
To minister Holy Communion in the Catholic Church, one must first be an ordained minister. In the Catholic Church, the term 'minister' is used to refer to a person, either lay or ordained, who is commissioned to perform some act on behalf of the Church. There are two types of ministers: ordinary ministers and extraordinary ministers. Ordinary ministers are the standard or normal ministers of a sacrament and have the spiritual power to administer it. They include clergy such as bishops, presbyters, and deacons. Extraordinary ministers, on the other hand, are those who are officially authorized to administer a sacrament by law or by being deputed for that purpose. Instituted acolytes and lectors, for example, are considered extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion.
When it comes to administering Holy Communion specifically, there are guidelines and liturgical laws to follow. Firstly, it is important to understand that Holy Communion is an intimate encounter with Christ, in which Catholics sacramentally receive Christ into their bodies. This sacrament is deeply revered in the Catholic Church, and ministers must approach it with reverence and respect.
In terms of specific guidelines, the General Instruction of the Roman Missal provides instructions for the distribution and reception of Holy Communion. It outlines that all recipients, including Priest concelebrants, Deacons, and extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, should receive Communion in the manner described by the General Instruction. It is also important to note that Deacons and lay ministers may never receive Holy Communion in the same way as a concelebrating Priest. After all Eucharistic ministers have received Communion, the bishop or Priest celebrant hands the vessels containing the Body and Blood of Christ to the Deacons or extraordinary ministers for distribution.
Additionally, there are guidelines for who can receive Holy Communion. According to the Code of Canon Law, a person who is conscious of grave sin should not receive Holy Communion without prior sacramental confession, except in cases of grave necessity or danger of death. The requirement for sacramental confession can be dispensed if certain conditions are met, including a grave reason to receive Communion, the physical or moral impossibility of confessing first, being in a state of grace, and the intention to confess as soon as possible. It is also important to note that, generally, only Catholics are admitted to Holy Communion. Eucharistic sharing by other Christians requires permission according to the diocesan bishop and the provisions of canon law.
Furthermore, there are liturgical laws regarding the vessels used for Holy Communion. Sacred vessels should be made of noble materials, appropriate to their use, and in conformity with liturgical law as specified in the General Instruction of the Roman Missal. These vessels must be blessed by the bishop or Priest according to the Rite of Blessing a Chalice and Paten before being used for the celebration.
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Know the blessings you can and cannot perform
In the Catholic Church, the term "minister" is a generic term for a person who performs a service function. This includes priests, deacons, women religious, brothers, and lay professionals (like youth ministers and campus ministers).
Blessings are typically reserved for ordained ministers, such as priests and deacons. Lay ministers are not permitted to perform blessings in the context of communion. However, parents have the authority to bless their children or family members outside of the communion line. Lay ministers can also serve as ministers of the Word (lectors), altar servers, acolytes, cantors, music ministers, and ministers of hospitality.
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (EMs) are laypersons who assist in distributing Holy Communion. They are not considered ordinary ministers, who are usually the priest and deacon. EMs undergo a short training followed by the Rite of Commission and are typically commissioned for a five-year term of service. During Mass, EMs sit near the front of the church and come forward to assist in distributing Communion when invited by the priest. They should dress modestly and refrain from crossing in front of the altar.
It is important to understand the different types of ministers in the Catholic Church and their respective roles and blessings they can perform. While lay ministers play a vital role in the Church, certain blessings are reserved for ordained ministers.
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Recognise the different types of sacraments and their ministers
The Catholic Church identifies seven sacraments, which are efficacious signs of grace, instituted by Christ and entrusted to the Church, by which divine life is dispensed to us. These sacraments are:
- Baptism: This is considered the sacrament of admission to the faith, bringing sanctifying grace to the person being baptised. It is usually performed by a priest who pours holy water over the head of the recipient while invoking the Trinity. However, anyone, even non-baptised persons, can baptise someone if the situation requires it.
- Eucharist, or Holy Communion: This is the third sacrament of initiation and can be received daily if desired. It is the central rite of Catholic worship, in which Catholics partake of the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. During the mass, a priest consecrates bread and wine, which are transubstantiated into the body and blood of Christ. This is then distributed to the congregation by Eucharistic Ministers, who may be laypersons.
- Confirmation: This is the second sacrament of initiation and is conferred by the anointing with Sacred Chrism, which is done by the laying on of the hand of the minister. It serves to "confirm" and strengthen the faith of a baptised person.
- Penance: This sacrament involves the private confession of sins to a priest, who is seen as a healer, and the assignment of acts of penance, such as specific prayers or restitutions.
- Anointing of the Sick: Formerly known as Extreme Unction, this sacrament is administered to give strength and comfort to the ill and to unite their suffering with that of Christ.
- Marriage: In Catholicism, marriage is a sacrament administered by a baptised man and woman to each other through their marriage vows and lifelong partnership. The ceremony is witnessed by a priest who serves as the minister of the mass.
- Holy Orders: This sacrament is available only to men who are being ordained as deacons, priests, or bishops.
The ministers of these sacraments can be either lay or ordained persons, depending on the sacrament. For example, in the case of the Eucharist, the ordinary ministers are the priest and deacon, while there may also be extraordinary ministers who are laypersons trained to bring communion to the sick or homebound. In the case of marriage, the ministers are the couple themselves, while the priest serves as a witness.
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Frequently asked questions
In the Catholic Church, the term "minister" is a generic term for a person who is performing some service function on behalf of the church. This includes priests, deacons, women religious, brothers, and lay professionals.
There are liturgical lay ministers, such as lectors, altar servers, and acolytes, and catechetical lay ministers, such as catechists, dismissal leaders, and youth group leaders.
Ordinary ministers are the standard or normal ministers of a sacrament, who have the spiritual power to administer it. Extraordinary ministers are those who are officially authorized to administer a sacrament by law or by being deputed for that purpose.
Extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion assist in the distribution of Holy Communion when there are not enough ordinary ministers present. They are typically commissioned for a five-year term of service and must dress modestly when undertaking this ministry.
No, only ordained ministers have the authority to offer blessings. In the communion line, only clergy should give a blessing. Extraordinary ministers can, however, distribute Holy Communion and witness to faith in the real presence of Christ.
