Purification of Sacred Vessels - A Question Answered

It’s that time of year when our students have returned to campus and we will be training lectors and extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion. One aspect of this that comes up often is the purification of the sacred vessels, especially the chalices with which the EMHCs distribute the Precious Blood. The question has been asked, ‘Can lay persons purify the sacred vessels?’ The short answer is ‘no’. Here’s why:


From “Purification of Sacred Vessels by Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion”:

"On October 13, 2006 Bishop William Skylstad, President of the United
States Conference of Catholic Bishops, informed all Bishop members of
the conference that he had received a response to his request for an
extension of an indult permitting extraordinary ministers of Holy
Communion to assist with the purification of sacred vessels at Mass.

In a recent letter to the Conference President, Cardinal Francis Arinze,
Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the
Sacraments (Prot. no. 468/05/L), reported that he had brought the matter
to the attention of our Holy Father on June 9, 2006 and received a
response in the negative."

Cardinal Arinze’s letter can be accessed here.

In “Seven Questions on the Distribution of Holy Communion Under Both Kinds” it also states:

"5. Who then purifies the sacred vessels?
As ordinary ministers of Holy Communion, the Priest and the Deacon purify the sacred vessels.
The instituted acolyte, by reason of his office, “helps the priest or deacon to purify and arrange
the sacred vessels.”10 In the Dioceses of the United States of America, the ministry of
instituted acolyte, which is open only to men, is primarily made up of those preparing to
receive Holy Orders.11

6. May an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion assist in the purification of sacred
vessels?
In accord with the Holy Father’s recent decision, as reported in Cardinal Arinze’s letter of
October 12, 2006 (Prot. no. 468/05/L), an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion may not
assist in the purification of sacred vessels. This extraordinary ministry was created exclusively
for those instances where there are not enough ordinary ministers to distribute Holy Communion,
due to the consummate importance of assuring that the faithful have the opportunity to receive
Holy Communion at Mass, even when it is distributed under both species. (cf. RS, no. 102)."

So those are some references regarding this issue. Further information can be found in Redemptionis Sacramentum and the General Instruction of the Roman Missal.

Got another question?  Contact Kristen or Fr. Patrick at http://www.ccmin.org/.