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Question Title Posted By Question Date
Mass George Tuesday, August 23, 2005

Question:

Can women distribute eucharist during mass? Are they allowed to open the tabernacle? I am under the impression that they are allowed to do this because the church has many parishioners and the priest can have helpers during mass. Is this correct?

Question Answered by Mr. Jacob Slavek

Dear George,

Yes women may serve as extraordinary ministers wherever there is a need.  Anyone who is authorized to distribute Communion may also open the tabernacle.  Really though at Mass this should be done by the priest since he is the ordinary minister.

Mr. Slavek
Footer Notes: (a) A Eucharistic Minister is clergy (Ordinary Ministers of Holy Communion). Laity are Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion and should never be called Eucharistic Ministers.

(b) There is no such Mass called the Novus Ordo. The Current Mass is the Roman Missal of 2000, or the Oridinary Form of the Mass. The Tridentine Mass is the Roman Missal of 1962, or the Extraordinary Form of the Mass. Please refrain from using the term, Novus Ordo. Thanks.

(c) The titles of Acolyte and Lector belong exclusively to the Installed Offices of Acolyte and Lector, who are men (only) appointed by the Bishop. These roles performed by others are Altar Servers and Readers, respectively.