The Eucharist is the source and summit of Christian life. It is this Holy Communion that Catholics receive as the most holy Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. It is important that Catholics are not deprived of the opportunity to receive Holy Communion due to illness, age, or infirmity. The ordinary ministers (priests) cannot always fulfill the great need among Christ's faithful. Therefore, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (EMHC) are prepared, according to the pastoral theology and canon law, to fulfill the need in taking the Eucharist to the sick and homebound.
Few things need to be keep in mind while selecting EMHC:
1. These individuals should be able to minister to the sick in a compassionate, prayerful and sensitive way.
2. They should possess psychological maturity and the ability to keep certain things in confidence.
3. They should be at least 21 years of age and should have received First Holy Communion and Confirmation and should be leading a life of faith.
4. They should be reverential and respectful to his or her faith and should be of a sound moral character.
5. If married, it must be a valid marriage according to the law of the Catholic Church.