Fabiola Ortiz, Minister of Communion at the Corpus Christi Mass with the Pope

For years Fabiola Ortiz has belonged to the Augustinian Parish of San Manuel y San Benito in Madrid, very close to the Plaza de Cibeles where Pope Leo XIV will preside over Mass next Sunday. Among other tasks, she serves the parish community as a minister of the Eucharist. When she began this service, she never imagined she would take part in a celebration like the Corpus Christi Mass on June 7.

A strategic plan has been drawn up to make sure Communion reaches as many of the faithful attending the celebration as possible. Those closest to the Plaza de Cibeles will receive Communion from concelebrating priests, and the rest from extraordinary ministers of Communion. 2,300 ciboria (vessels for Communion) with 200 hosts each are planned.

The extraordinary ministers will set out from 6 Eucharistic churches, one of them the Parish of San Manuel y San Benito. That morning, Mass will be celebrated in these churches to consecrate the hosts, with the ministers who will distribute them present. For those unable to receive Communion where they are, the 6 Eucharistic churches will stay open until 2:00 p.m. for anyone who wishes to receive Communion. Gluten-free Communion will also be available in these churches.

Eucharistic churches

• Parish of San José (C/ Alcalá 43)
• Basilica of Jesús de Medinaceli (Plaza de Jesús 2)
• Parish of San Jerónimo el Real (C/ Moreto 4)
• Parish of San Manuel y San Benito (C/ Alcalá 83)
• Parish of Santa Bárbara (C/ General Castaños 2)
• Basilica of the Conception of Our Lady (C/ Goya 26)
• Parish of Santo Cristo de la Salud (C/ Ayala 12)

The 2,300 ministers distributing Communion will be accompanied by as many volunteers who, when the Holy Father receives Communion, will open white umbrellas to mark the places where those who wish to receive Holy Communion should go.

Fabiola’s testimony

Fabiola Ortiz belongs to the Parish of San Manuel y San Benito, where she has helped for many years as a minister of the Eucharist.

When Pope Leo XIV’s visit was announced, she signed up as a pilgrim and also as a volunteer. For her, being able to bring Communion to the faithful celebrating the Corpus Christi Mass in the Plaza de Cibeles is an enormous joy.

Fabiola stresses the importance of this service and, at the same time, the responsibility of bringing Communion to others. She also hopes that many people will be able to receive Communion next Sunday, during the Corpus Christi Mass that Pope Leo XIV will preside over in the Plaza de Cibeles.