Can I take communion?

[lmoreno]

I was baptized as a small child in a Roman Catholic Church. My father was Catholic and my mother was Protestant. When I was a child my paternal grandmother talked alot about Catholism to me but we did not attend Mass regularly. I did not make my first communion. As the years went by I grew further and further away from having any faith in God. Now, as an adult I am renewing my faith in God. I have started attending RCIA class and this past Sunday I went to Mass for the first time in many years. A nun once told me I can take communion as long as my heart is pure and I understand the Eucharist. Is this true? I wanted so badly to take communion during Mass on Sunday but I refrained. Please clear this up for me.

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

Please ignore the nun’s advice.

Before you receive any sacrament you need to prepare for it. That’s what RCIA will do for you now.

At some future point you will learn about the sacrament of Reconciliation and have the opportunity to make your First Confession. This is vital! Shortly after that you will be confirmed and make your First Communion.

All of these sacraments are beautiful and you will always remember the day. Don’t receive communion without confession – you want your soul to be as pure as possible when you receive communion for the first time.

 

[lmoreno]

Thank you.

 

[Joe_Kelley]

The general rule is that one must be Confirmed before receiving Communion. Saint Pius X made an exception for children who may receive at about the age of seven. The exception does not apply to those who are older.

You need the RCIA classes to prepare you for both sacraments which you will receive at the same rite, probably the Holy Saturday Vigil though some dioceses/parishes may have a different time for those who are already baptized Catholic.

With my prayers for you on your journey. By the time you are done you will know more than most of those already Catholic.

 

[palmas85]

I was baptized as a small child in a Roman Catholic Church. My father was Catholic and my mother was Protestant. When I was a child my paternal grandmother talked alot about Catholism to me but we did not attend Mass regularly. I did not make my first communion. As the years went by I grew further and further away from having any faith in God. Now, as an adult I am renewing my faith in God. I have started attending RCIA class and this past Sunday I went to Mass for the first time in many years. A nun once told me I can take communion as long as my heart is pure and I understand the Eucharist. Is this true? I wanted so badly to take communion during Mass on Sunday but I refrained. Please clear this up for me.

One of the Deacons at my old Parish in San Diego said essentially the same thing. He said that since the Eucharist itself was salvific, he saw no good reason for someone not to receive while in a state of mortal sin. After all such reception could only improve things:thumbsup:

Of course, the same Deacon used to drop into the CCD and RCIA groups and tell the catechumans and candidates that devotions such as the Rosary and Eucharistc Adoration were old time devotions seldom practiced anymore except by older people who don’t know any better and that in order to be a Catholic we first have to first be Jewish in our hearts:thumbsup: He presided over pseudo seder meals every year for the RCIA and CCD programs.

I guess he meant well. At least I hope so:shrug:

In any event please don’t take the Sisters advice. She too may mean well, but is giving you very very bad advice.

 

[Tradycja]

He said that since the Eucharist itself was salvific, he saw no good reason for someone not to receive while in a state of mortal sin. After all such reception could only improve things:thumbsup:

This is wrong. To receive Communion while in mortal sin is a sacrilege and thus another mortal sin, therefore it makes the state of one’s soul worse. One must go to confession and confess all mortal sins they have knowledge of BEFORE receiving Communion.

On this side Fr. Chad Ripperger, FSSP has a talk about making a good Confession on this site. He also has examinations of conscience. All of his audios are free if you perform an act of prayer or penance.

sensustraditionis.org/multimedia.html