"Extraordinary" doesn't mean "special" — it means an exception to the ordinary rule. Dr. Brant Pitre traces where that concept comes from in Scripture, the Fathers, and canon law.
Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion: Scripture, Tradition, and the Church's Norms
Dr. Brant Pitre examines the term the Church uses precisely — extraordinary minister of Holy Communion — and what it has meant across history. He starts from the biblical pattern in which high priest, priests, Levites, and laity each had defined roles around the sanctuary (Numbers 18; 2 Chronicles 23:6), and the notable exceptions, such as David eating the bread of the Presence, that Jesus himself cites. From there the session follows the tradition: Phoebe as diakonos in Romans 16, early accounts of the faithful carrying Communion to the dying and sick, and the careful limits set by the Fathers, Aquinas, and later the 1917 and 1983 Codes of Canon Law. Pitre presents the Church's current norms — including Redemptionis Sacramentum and Ecclesiae de Mysterio — factually, without polemic, showing how a genuinely exceptional provision is defined. The video is a guided tour of the historical and legal roots, not a verdict on any parish's practice.
Key passages & sources examined: Leviticus 16; Numbers 18:2-7; 2 Chronicles 23:6; 1 Samuel 21:1-6; Matthew 12:1-8; Romans 16:1-3; GIRM no. 100; Code of Canon Law §230, §910; 1 Clement 40-41; Tertullian, On Baptism 17; Eusebius (Serapion); St. Basil, Letter 93; St. Thomas Aquinas (ST III q.82); Ecclesiae de Mysterio (1997); Redemptionis Sacramentum (2004) nos. 157-158; St. John Chrysostom
What is an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion? The session grounds the answer in the Church's own texts: an ordinary minister is a bishop, priest, or deacon, while a lay person may be deputed as an extraordinary minister under specific conditions set out in canon law and the GIRM.
Where does the idea of extraordinary ministers come from in Scripture and tradition? Pitre points to biblical exceptions and early-Church precedents — the sick and dying receiving Communion at home — and traces the concept forward. The full development is covered in the video.
When do the Church's norms permit an extraordinary minister? The video walks through what Redemptionis Sacramentum and related instructions actually say about genuine need versus mere convenience, without taking a polemical side.
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It is a great service to provide the excellent Mass Reading Explained by Dr. Brant Pitre. I like the feature to download the transcript of the video which is very helpful. However, there are some rooms for improvement as followed:
1. The media player's controls are spotty. Very often, the Closed Caption button is not available. Therefore, I could not enable the subtitle.
2. It will be very helpful if the videos can be searched or sorted by the calendar date, and not just the "Number of Sunday in Ordinary Time".
3. It will be nice if you have an app (for both iOS and MacOS) to launch it, such that I do not have to open a web browser and type in the URL address manually every time. I talked to your support folks on this and I was informed that an app is coming soon. Please make sure it supports both iOS and MacOS.
Thank you very much for your hard work.
Yours in Christ
simon
The only thing I'd prefer is to have a search options within the readings/explanations. For example, like youtube, except now that I purchased the service, I'd like to have Sunday explanations for Purgatory or Predestination. It would really help when I'm debating Calvinists because I could resource back to Pitre.
It is a great service to provide the excellent Mass Reading Explained by Dr. Brant Pitre. I like the feature to download the transcript of the video which is very helpful. However, there are some rooms for improvement as followed:
1. The media player's controls are spotty. Very often, the Closed Caption button is not available. Therefore, I could not enable the subtitle.
2. It will be very helpful if the videos can be searched or sorted by the calendar date, and not just the "Number of Sunday in Ordinary Time".
3. It will be nice if you have an app (for both iOS and MacOS) to launch it, such that I do not have to open a web browser and type in the URL address manually every time. I talked to your support folks on this and I was informed that an app is coming soon. Please make sure it supports both iOS and MacOS.
Thank you very much for your hard work.
Yours in Christ
simon
The only thing I'd prefer is to have a search options within the readings/explanations. For example, like youtube, except now that I purchased the service, I'd like to have Sunday explanations for Purgatory or Predestination. It would really help when I'm debating Calvinists because I could resource back to Pitre.
