Reception of Christ in the Eucharist

[homeschoolmom]

[quote name='Aloysius' post='1198234' date='Feb 17 2007, 03:23 PM']haha you spelled it phonetically like how people say it... germs are gross

GIRM
General Instruction on the Roman Missal[/quote]
People say it like GERM? I have always heard it like "girl" but with an m instead of the l.

[KnightofChrist]

I maybe wrong about the blessing, however Extraordinary Ministers/"Lay Ministers" may only be used in extraordinary cases.

[EcceNovaFacioOmni]

Where is the rule that acolytes must be 25 stipulated? Can it be amended by national councils of bishops? What should university parishes do? Are altar boys an appropriate substitute?

[Moneybags]

[quote name='KnightofChrist' post='1199630' date='Feb 18 2007, 01:00 PM']I maybe wrong about the blessing, however Extraordinary Ministers/"Lay Ministers" may only be used in extraordinary cases.[/quote]

Exactly, and Ash Wednesday is a regular day that can easily be planned for in advance. There is no need for EMHCs.

[Aloysius]

25 was set by the USCCB.

I'll consider altar boys in a university setting to answer your question...

altar boys are supposed to act after the manner of an acolyte. just as acolytes do not normally distribute communion except in case of necessity; neither do altar boys. altar boys, just by being altar boys, are not capable of distributing communion (especially considering most are not old enough, but like I said-- university setting). however, it would seem that since they are meant to serve after the manner of an acolyte, they ought to be the first considered (if they are old enough) to be used in case of absolute necessity as EMHCs because that would preserve the liturgical symbolism better than a regular ordinary layperson not serving after the manner of acolyte (an altar boy is a clearer extension of the clergy)

but that's only if it's not possible to get acolytes... and they're only if it's not possible to get deacons... and they're only if it's not possible to get priests.

in any event, there are almost always a million better choices than emergency lay person EMHCs.