Ministers of Holy Communion

Ministers of Holy Communion have an important role in most parishes and communities of the Diocese: their function is to distribute Holy Communion – either within Mass or by taking it to a sick person – alongside, or on behalf of, the priest or deacon.

They are also called Commissioned or Extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion because priests and deacons are the ordinary ministers of the sacrament.

The following books may be of interest if you would like to learn more:

- Bringing Communion to the Sick: A Handbook for Ministers of Holy Communion, Veritas Publications, 2012
- The Eucharist, Pope Benedict XVI, St Paul’s Publishing, 2010
- Sacramentum Caritatis, Pope Benedict XVI, Catholic Truth Society, 2007. The text is also available here
- Meeting Jesus in the Sacraments, Pope Francis, Our Sunday Visitor, 2015

You can also contact St Paul’s Bookshop, Hinsley Hall: Tel. 0113 275 4043 or email hinsleyhall@stpauls.org.uk

The Diocese has produced a easy-to-print copy of the Rite of Holy Communion to the Sick and Housebound.

Holy Communion to the Sick and Housebound

The Liturgy Office of The Catholic Church in England and Wales has produced a guide for those involved in the ministry of distributing Holy Communion.

Ministers of Holy Communion at Mass