Lay Eucharistic Visitors

We see them commissioned every Sunday.  They now leave the service in pairs (like the disciples being sent out), with a little black box in hand.  Have you ever thought about what it is exactly that they do, what are their qualifications, whom do they serve (in addition to our Lord)? 

A Lay Eucharistic Visitor (LEV) is a person licensed by the bishop, upon the recommendation of the rector or vicar of his/her congregation and approval of the vestry or bishop’s committee, to take the consecrated elements to members of the congregation who, by reason of illness or infirmity, were unable to be present at the Celebration of Holy Eucharist on Sunday or other Principal Celebration.

The Canons (laws of the Diocese or denomination) stipulate that the elements are to be taken from those consecrated at the Celebration, and are to be taken immediately following the close of the service.  The elements are not to be taken from the Reserved Sacrament, and the visitation occurs on the same day as the service, the LEV preferably leaving the church before the closing hymn to be on his/her way.  Only a prescribed form of the Eucharist may be used by the LEV during a visitation, and this form is provided on a card to each LEV.

The elements are carried in a little black box, a Travel Kit, which contains a miniature chalice, purificator, corporal, paten, bread and wine that are both blessed, and a pyx.  The pyx (a very good Scrabble word!!) is a small metal container especially made to hold the consecrated bread. (Larger versions are called a bread box, which we use to bring the bread forward in our Sunday service, and a ciborium, which is essentially a chalice with a metal top with cross.)

The LEVs are members in good standing of our parish, that is, they have been confirmed here or otherwise have their letter resident here, are active within the parish, and have had training to be an LEV and instruction in pastoral care. They are now being sent out in pairs, much like the disciples were sent out, although the second person need not be licensed as an LEV.  Although not vested for the visit to the ill or infirm, the LEV may have a name badge bearing the appropriate title Lay Eucharistic Visitor, and carry a business card as introduction.  

Lay persons are indeed authorized to be part of the ministers of the church.  In the Catechism in the back of the prayer book, the ministers of the church are listed as laity, bishops, priests, and deacons.  (Do you know where exactly this is listed?)  The ministry of an LEV, however, does not take the place of the ministry of priest and deacons in their exercise of their office, which includes regular visitation of members unable to attend the Celebration of the Holy Eucharist.