Tim Maas Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army

I am not a Roman Catholic, but my understanding of canon law is that there are specific occasions when a lay person can administer the Eucharist to others. These instances include people who are confined to their homes when a priest is responsible for a large geographic area, and has no ordained assistants (such as an assistant pastor or a deacon) to help him. (In such a case, it is preferred that the lay person be an acolyte.)

In this capacity, the lay person must assure that proper care and reverence is maintained toward the Eucharist. The person administering the Eucharist should also act as the priest's "eyes and ears" in such a case. He should report to the priest if the individual's condition has substantially worsened since the priest's most recent visit. He should also use the length of the liturgical rite that is most appropriate to the situation or condition of the person receiving the Eucharist. (However, the primary person receiving the Eucharist, as well as any caregivers who may also be receiving the Eucharist during the lay person's visit, are exempted from the normal requirement to fast for at least one hour prior to receiving it.)

November 16 2018 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report