Why can't ministers of Holy Communion bring the Eucharist to Sunday-school teachers working during Mass?
The short answer
Because the teachers belong at Mass. Nothing on earth equals what happens on the altar, and Sunday school is not a substitute for the Mass, as it sometimes is among Protestants. Teachers need to understand the Mass before teaching — and children past preschool age should be at Mass too.
The Mass comes first
Teachers who miss Mass to teach Sunday school need to learn what the Mass is before they teach. Better no Sunday school than the blind leading the blind. Catholics are not Protestants, for whom Sunday school may be considered equal to the main service.
Nothing equals it
Nothing on earth can equal what happens on the altar, and any sacrifice we make is tiny compared with the sacrifice of the Lord's body and blood. To miss the supreme importance of the Mass is to misunderstand Catholicism.
What the Catechism says
Jesus' command to repeat his actions and words "until he comes" is not only a call to remember him; it is directed to the liturgical celebration, by the apostles and their successors, of the memorial of Christ — his life, death, resurrection and intercession before the Father (CCC 1341).
The children too
Unless the children are preschoolers, they should be at Mass as well.
Continue exploring
- Is "Eucharistic minister" the correct title for a layperson who distributes Communion?Q&A
- May the priest stay seated while a layman distributes Communion?Q&A
- What are the rules for dipping the host into the Precious Blood?Q&A
- Are "This is the Body of Christ" and "I believe" acceptable substitutes for "The Body of Christ" and "Amen"?Q&A
- Are Eastern "Masses" valid? Should Catholics receive Communion at them?Q&A
- Can non-Catholics receive Communion at Mass?Q&A