Communion Ministers w/ Disabilities

SOURCE: Guiding Principles & Strategies for Inclusion in the Liturgy of Catholics with Disabilities (Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions, 2005)

When Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion [EM] are commissioned, they are instructed as follows:

In this ministry, you must be examples of Christian living in faith and conduct; you must strive to grow in holiness through this sacrament of unity and love. Remember that, though many, we are one body because we share the one bread and one cup. As Ministers of Holy Communion be, therefore, especially observant of the Lord’s command to love your neighbor. For when he gave his body as food to his disciples, he said to them: ‘This is my commandment, that you should love one another as I have loved you.’ (Book of Blessings, 1875)

At the most basic level, the EM is a person who strives to be like Christ and realizes that the Eucharist is at the center of our faith. In addition, the EM must be able to fulfill the basic physical acts associated with this ministry. Many people who possess these qualities may be prohibited from exercising their ministry because of physical barriers. The following may help to break down barriers and allow those with disabilities to serve as Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion:

• If possible, make sure that the area where EMs receive communion and minister to others does not require going up and down steps. If there are steps, develop a process so that communion may be brought to those ministers who cannot walk up steps.
• Provide chalices (cups) with large bases so that they are easier to grip and pass.
• If an EM has tremors or difficulty holding an object, consider providing another minister, or assistant, to hold the ciborium (plate) so that the EM has only to pick up the host and give it to the communicant. Develop a procedure so that this minister will always be assigned to distribute consecrated hosts, thus eliminating a concern of spilling the consecrated wine.
• People with celiac disease can be scheduled to distribute the Precious Blood.