Priest’s Location during Communion



Dear Catholic Exchange:

We have a new rector at our cathedral. Twice he has begun distributing communion at the side aisle with our deacon distributing the precious blood next to him while two extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist distribute at the main aisle. Is this all right or must the priest distribute communion at the main aisle?

Laura Johnston

Spokane, Washington

Dear Mrs. Johnston,

Peace in Christ!

There are no formal liturgical directives for two lines of communicants to process up the center aisle, though it is a widespread practice to expedite the orderly distribution of Communion. Because there is no formal provision for two lines of communicants — whether down the center aisle, or, much less likely, down a side aisle — there is no provision that says laymen, if serving as an extraordinary minister, must stand to a priest's right or left.

Given a priest's central and essential role in celebrating Mass, perhaps it seems most fitting that he distribute Communion from the “central place” in the church, i.e., the center aisle. In addition, ordained ministers (bishops, priests and deacons) are considered ordinary ministers of the Eucharist and extraordinary ministers are first an acolyte, then any member of the faithful designated for that purpose. The center aisle is the “ordinary” place where the faithful go to receive and the side aisles are secondary for those seated at the side (though many parishes direct everyone to the center). Thus, it would seem to make sense that the “ordinary” ministers would be placed at the primary area where Holy Communion is distributed and other ministers go to secondary areas. There is however no norm of the Church of which we are aware that directs this.

United in the Faith,



Pete Brown

Information Specialist

Catholics United for the Faith

827 North Fourth Street

Steubenville, OH 43952

800-MY-FAITH (800-693-2484)


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