Q: A rubric for Holy Thursday’s Mass of the Lord’s Supper is: “33. At an appropriate moment during Communion, the Priest entrusts the Eucharist from the table of the altar to Deacons or acolytes or other extraordinary ministers, so that afterwards it may be brought to the sick who are to receive Holy Communion at home.”
Should this be regarded as an option for other Masses?
Arguments against this are that there is nothing in the GIRM about it. This is the only Mass when accessing the Blessed Sacrament in the tabernacle after Mass is complicated by a special adoration.
An argument for it: if appropriate for this Mass, then appropriate for all Masses.
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A: This rubric is specific to Holy Thursday. Rubrical notes in the missal at the head of the Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper says that Holy Communion may be brought to the sick at any hour of the day (4). The rubrics promote communion from this Mass to the sick, in compliance with GIRM 85.
I suppose one could argue for entrusting communion to ministers to the sick more regularly during the communion rite based on this idea. But it would not in any way be obligatory.