Ministry Formation: Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion

REGISTER for Summer/Fall 2023 In-Person Workshops

INSCRIPCIÓN a los Talleres Presenciales de Verano/Otoño 20232023 - en español

The consummation of the celebration of the Eucharist is Holy Communion, “whereby the people purchased for the Father by his beloved Son eat and drink the Body and Blood of Christ” (USCCB, Norms for the Distribution of Communion under Both Kinds for the Dioceses of the United States of America, no. 5). In Mass, Holy Communion is distributed by Bishops, Priests, and Deacons by virtue of their office as ordinary ministers of the Body and Blood of the Lord. However, when a sufficient number of ordinary ministers is not present, “the Priest may call upon extraordinary ministers to assist him” (General Instruction of the Roman Missal, no. 162). “Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion should receive sufficient spiritual, theological, and practical preparation to fulfill their role with knowledge and reverence” (Norms for the Distribution of Communion, no. 28).

In the Diocese of Arlington, candidates to be Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion should be at least 18 years of age, exemplary Catholics, and devoted to the Eucharist. Candidates are required to attend a formation workshop presented by the Office of Divine Worship. Individuals who desire to become Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion should contact their local parish.

Norms for Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion in the Diocese of Arlington

Resources for Pastors and Parish Staffs

Workshops are generally held in Deaneries II-V in the Spring and in Deaneries I, VI-VII in the Fall. Additional workshops may be offered by request and at the discretion of the Office of Divine Worship.

Pastors and Chaplains may request updates to the Parish Lists at any time using the form below, especially when parishioners attend workshops.

EM Mandate Request Form

Pastors and Chaplains may also request a list of EMHCs mandated for their parish/chaplaincy by emailing liturgy@arlingtondiocese.org.

Workshops for Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion

In-Person Workshops - Summer/Fall 2023

Saturday, August 5, 9am-11am · Saint James, (Falls Church, Deanery I - en español)
Saturday, September 9, 10am-12pm · Cathedral of Saint Thomas More, (Arlington, Deanery I)
Saturday, September 9, 1pm-3pm · Cathedral of Saint Thomas More, (Arlington, Deanery I - en español)
Saturday, September 16, 10am-12pm · Our Lady of Angels, (Woodbridge, Deanery V - en español)
Saturday, September 16, 2pm-4pm · Saint Mark, (Vienna, Deanery VI)
Saturday, September 23, 10am-12pm · Holy Spirit, (Annandale, Deanery II)
Saturday, September 30, 10am-12pm · Sacred Heart of Jesus, (Winchester, Deanery IV)
Saturday, October 14, 10am-12pm · Saint John Paul the Great Catholic High School, (Potomac Shores)

*Additional Workshops in the Summer/Fall 2023 will be added to this page*

PREVIOUS WORKSHOPS - Spring 2023

Saturday, January 21, Saint Leo the Great (Fairfax)
Saturday, January 21, Saint Leo the Great (Fairfax - en español)
Saturday, February 4, Saint Bernadette (Springfield)
Saturday, February 18, Saint Louis (Alexandria - en español)
Sunday, February 19, Saint John the Evangelist (Warrenton)
Saturday, February 25, Holy Family (Woodbridge)
Saturday, March 4, Saint Thomas à Becket (Reston)
Saturday, March 18, Precious Blood (Culpeper)
Saturday, May 6, Saint Francis of Assisi (Triangle - en español)
Saturday, May 13, Saint Gabriel Mission (Manassas Park - en español)

PREVIOUS WORKSHOPS - Fall 2022

Saturday, August 13, Queen of Apostles, (Alexandria - en español)
Sunday, August 14, Saint Lawrence, (Alexandria)
Saturday, September 24, Cathedral of Saint Thomas More, (Arlington)
Saturday, September 24, Cathedral of Saint Thomas More, (Arlington - en español)
Saturday, October 1, Our Lady of Good Counsel, (Vienna)
Saturday, October 1, Our Lady of Good Counsel, (Vienna - en español)
Saturday, October 15, Sacred Heart of Jesus, (Winchester - en español)
Saturday, October 15, Saint Jude, (Fredericksburg)
Sunday, November 6, Saint Francis de Sales, (Purcellville)

PREVIOUS WORKSHOPS - Spring 2022

Saturday, February 12, 2022, Christ the Redeemer (Sterling)
Saturday, February 19, 2022, Christ the Redeemer (Sterling - en español)
Saturday, March 19, 2022, Good Shepherd (Alexandria)
Saturday, March 26, 2022, All Saints (Manassas)
Saturday, April 2, 2022, Sacred Heart of Jesus (Winchester)

PREVIOUS WORKSHOPS - Fall 2021

Saturday, September 25, 2021, Cathedral of Saint Thomas More (Arlington)
Saturday, October 2, 2021, Saint Mary of Sorrows (Fairfax)
Saturday, October 23, 2021, Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception (Fredericksburg)

PREVIOUS WORKSHOPS - Spring/Summer 2021

Monday, February 1, 2021 (2 sessions), virtual
Monday, March 15, 2021, virtual
Saturday, March 20, 2021, virtual
Monday, April 19, 2021 (2 sessions), virtual
Saturday, May 8, 2021, virtual
Monday, May 10, 2021, virtual
Monday, June 21, 2021, virtual
Tuesday, June 22, 2021, virtual
Thursday, June 24, 2021, virtual
Monday, July 12, 2021, virtual
Tuesday, July 13, 2021, virtual
Thursday, July 15, 2021, virtual

PREVIOUS WORKSHOPS - 2020

Saturday, February 29, 2020, Our Lady of Hope (Potomac Falls)
additional workshops in 2020 cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic