Question
Question
At the cathedral recently, while sitting in the front row, I observed several communicants receiving the Eucharist in hand and then transporting it a good distance to where a minister of the cup stands. One person attempted to dunk it in the cup. The minister pulled back, took the Host and dipped it in the cup and placed it on the tongue. It was very awkward and did not seem right.
--Uneasy in Utica
Answer
Answer
The extraordinary minister of holy communion was doing the proper thing! Communion ministers are "ministering" - that's their role and purpose at this point in the communion rite. Lay people do not "self-communicate" or do the ritual themselves. We are to be ministered TO. This is the focus of the communion rite at this moment.