2023 Diocesan guidelines and Requirements for Eucharistic Visitor applicants (Canon 4.7)

A Eucharistic Visitor is a lay person authorized to take the Consecrated Elements in a timely manner following a Celebration of Holy Eucharist to members of the congregation who, by reason of illness or infirmity, were unable to be present at the Celebration. A Eucharistic Visitor should normally act under the direction of a Deacon, if any, or otherwise, the Member of the Clergy or other leader exercising oversight of the congregation or other community of faith.

Qualifications

• Physical ability to handle the Eucharistic elements.
• Access to transportation.
• Prays easily with others.
• Can read aloud effectively.
• Understands necessity of confidentiality.
• Comfortable being with people who are confined by illness, injury or childbirth and can adapt to a variety of environments.
• Ability to work as a team with another Eucharistic Visitor to administer the Eucharist. Refer to Eucharistic Visitor, My Ministry (download)

Skills

• Ability to lead the liturgy of Distribution of Holy Communion by Eucharistic Visitors from the Book of Occasional Services.
• Ability to administer the bread of the Eucharist in the various ways practiced in the Episcopal Church (in the hand, in the mouth, intinction).
• Ability to administer the wine of the Eucharist in the various ways practiced in the Episcopal Church (from the common cup, intinction from the common cup, use of an intinction cup).
• Awareness and sensitivity to people with special needs, such as elderly, those with disabilities, and children.
• Ability to deal with unexpected occurrences related to administering the sacraments.
• Ability to record visits in Register of Services.
• Demonstrate proper care of Eucharistic elements and portable communion kits.
• Ability to acknowledge and respond to pastoral needs of communicant.
• Capable of determining when situation requires intervention by clergy member or others.

Background Knowledge

• A basic knowledge of the Book of Common Prayer.
• Names of the Eucharistic vessels and linens.
• A basic understanding of sacramental theology from the Catechism.
• Detailed knowledge of guidelines for Eucharistic Visitors in the Book of Occasional Services.
• Knowledge in Pastoral Care principles.
• Basic knowledge of infection control techniques.

Education and Training Possibilities

• Training and mentoring by deacon, priest and other Eucharistic Visitors.

To be Licensed

• Recommendation of Rector/Vicar/Priest-in-charge and Vestry/Bishop’s Committee.
• Recommendation by the deacon under whom the Eucharistic Visitor will function, if available
• Contact the diocesan Human Resource Administrator and Finance Assistant for further information on how to complete the following:
  • Background check
  • Participate in Diversity and Reconciliation Training Course
  • Safe Church, Safe Community online coursework

License Renewal

• If not completed in the past, contact the diocesan Human Resource Administrator and Finance Assistant for further information on how to complete the following:
  • Background check
  • Participate in Diversity and Reconciliation Training Course
  • Safe Church, Safe Community online coursework

Resources

• A Manual for Eucharistic Visitors. Beth Wickenberg Ely, Morehouse Publishing, 2005.
• The Lay Pastoral Workers Hospital Handbook: Tending the Spiritual Needs of Patients Neville Kirkwood. Morehouse Publishing, 2005.
• Liturgy for Living. Charles P. Price and Louis Weil, Harper and Row, 1979.
• Prayer Book Rubrics Expanded. Byron D. Stuhlman, Church Hymnal Corp., 1987.
• The Meaning of Ritual. Leonel Mitchell, Paulist Press, 1977.

Updates

• 03-21-2023. New text for 2023 replaces the previous PDF document.
• 02-10-2022. 2022 Original document posted.