At times in our life of faith, Christ invites us to draw closer to Him—not simply for ourselves, but so that through us He may draw others closer to Himself.

The Lay Ministry of Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion is one such invitation.

In its present form, this ministry is relatively new in the long history of the Church. It developed following the Second Vatican Council and the Church’s renewed emphasis on the full, conscious, and active participation of the faithful in the sacred liturgy. The Council taught that the Eucharist is a source from which grace is poured into our lives and through which we are drawn into deeper union with God and with one another.

To be entrusted with the Sacred Body and Precious Blood of Jesus Christ is therefore much more than volunteering to help distribute Holy Communion at Mass a few times each month.

It is a ministry of faith and service.

An Extraordinary Minister approaches the altar knowing that what he or she receives and offers to another person is not ordinary bread or wine, but Christ Himself, truly present in the Most Holy Eucharist. Each time we say, “The Body of Christ,” we proclaim the central mystery around which our Catholic life is formed.

That proclamation should also form the minister.

Pope Benedict XVI reminded the Church that active participation in the liturgy cannot be reduced merely to performing an external task. It must lead us to a greater awareness of the mystery we celebrate and to allow that mystery to shape our daily lives.