Question from John P. on 1/9/2008:
Recently during a visit to the Blessed Sacrament outside of Mass, an EMC approached the tabernacle, opened it to take out Communion for the sick (she said), but then self-communicated and asked me if I "wanted a host." Are EMCs allowed to self-communicate at all, and especially so outside of Mass? And can they minister Holy Communion to anyone they happen to meet outside of Mass?
Answer by Colin B. Donovan, STL on 2/11/2008:
An EMC is not a free-agent, able to give and receive Holy Communion at their pleasure, but a person delegated by the Bishop (through the pastor) to administer Holy Communion under specific circumstances of pastoral need (too many communicants, for the sick etc.).
An EMC who leads a Communion Service in the absence of a priest or deacon is justified in self-communication. In that circumstance he or she would not otherwise be able to receive Holy Communion. It would also be justified in cases of necessity (e.g. a Host dropped on the floor, danger of profanation to the Blessed Sacrament and so on). An EMC who can get to Mass and simply visits the sick during the day is not justified in receiving during sick calls, however.
What you describe is entirely irregular, therefore, with no justification whatsoever. Please speak to the person, and inform the pastor if necessary.
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