Diocese of Libmanan
Parroquia De San Pascual Bailon
On-Going Liturgical
Formation
(Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion and
Lectors/Commentators Ministry)
Nature and Composition:
1. Lay liturgical ministry pertains to the service and
assistance which certain non-ordained members of
the Church render in the context of her public
worship. By means of this new kind of
collaboration the laity comes to actively participate
in a more specific way in the life and mission of
the Church.
Nature and Composition:
2. It is founded on the sacrament of baptism. It is
not a substitute to the ordained ministry but a
collaborative apostolate.
Qualifications:
1.A baptized and Practicing Roman Catholic
2.Should be adequately trained and be able to work
together as a coordinated body.
3. Has received the sacrament of confimation and
Holy Communion.
General Instruction of the Roman Missal (no.
91):
“in liturgical celebrations, every minister should
carry out all and only those parts which pertain
to his office by the nature of the rite and the
norms of the liturgy”.
Lectors and Commentators:
a.) They are charged with proclaiming the
scriptural readings before the Gospel at Mass (cf.
GIRM 99, 101). The Book of Readings
(Lectionary) is their main responsibility. They see
to it that it is prepared, if possible on the ambo,
before Mass begins.
Lectors and Commentators:
b.) In carrying their sacred function of proclaiming
the Word, it is mandatory that they use the
appropriate readings of the celebration from the
liturgical books.
Lectors and Commentators:
c.) In the absence of a Psalmist/Cantor, they may
also proclaim the Responsorial Psalm as well as
announce the intentions of the Prayer of the
Faithful (Intercessions) in the absence of a
deacon.
Tips for effective reading:
1. Spend time praying
2. Understand
3. Practice
4. Observe Punctuation marks
5. Consider your tone
6. Read with feelings
7. Don't use preacher's voice
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion:
a. )They are tasked with helping priests and
deacons (who are ordinary ministers of Holy
Communion) in distributing communion to the
faithful.
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion:
b.)The EMHC should receive holy communion
from the priest or ordained minister and should
wait for the priest to hand him the vessel
(ciborium) containing the consecrated hosts to be
distributed for holy communion.
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion:
c.) The “extraordinary” nature of their ministry
does not allow the EMHC to help in distributing
communion when a sufficient number of
“Ordinary Ministers” are present
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion:
d.) This ministry is generally but not exclusively
exercised during Mass. Thus, EMHC may be
tasked with distributing Holy Communion to sick
parishioners or to the faithful who come for the
Sunday Celebration in the Absence of a Priest
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion:
e.) They may also be commissioned, when
necessary, to preside over the Sunday Liturgy in
the Absence of a Priest.
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion:
f.) If no Lector is available, the Mass readings may
be assigned to the EMHC. They can likewise
assume the functions of the Mass Servers if these
are un
Decorum and Discipline:
a.) Lectors, Commentators, and Altar Servers put
on vestments over formal and decent attire.
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, on
the other hand, are asked to wear white long
sleeved shirt or barong, black pants, and black
shoes.
Decorum and Discipline:
b.) Liturgical ministries are best performed with
personal attention and devotion. The exercise of
one’s ministry should be characterized with great
reverence and respect for the solemn divine
activity in which the minister participates
Decorum and Discipline:
c.) In order to maintain the solemnity of any
celebration, lay ministers should refrain from
conduct which may distract the worshipping
congregation.
