Q: Hi, Father Paul! Thanks for all that you do. I’ve noticed in my parish that Extraordinary Ministers who visit nursing homes are consuming the extra hosts (5-10 Hosts) in their cars instead of returning them to the church.
Is there any liturgical protocol that says what to do in the event of extra hosts? Thank you!
==
A: Better would be for them to consume the remaining hosts while giving the final communion. The minister could enlist the assistance of others to consume more than one.
Holy Communion and Worship of the Eucharist Outside Mass gives the ritual for a layperson administering communion to the sick. Numbers 60 and 61 mentions “others” who are to receive communion. It would be better to keep the reception of communion inside the liturgy.