Communion in Protestant churches

[t68ware]

Hello all. I am a Protestant but very interested in becoming Catholic. I have attended many masses and some RCIA classes, and I believe in the Roman Catholic view of Holy Communion. I am torn however, when my church celebrates Communion. I know what I believe about the Real Presence but my church does not believe that. Should I not partake of Communion since my church does not believe what I do? Or does in not really matter, since I am not Catholic? I really am confused at this point. Thanks and God bless.

 

[Zooey]

I am sure you will get some good feedback here…
As the Friendly Neighborhood Methodist, I can only say that, after the last time I received communion at my aunt’s [Baptist] church,that I said,:nope: never again…Their pastor used the time after we received, to lecture us on how we “aren’t supposed to take it literally when Jesus said ‘this is My Body’!!” Say what???
Call me a curmudgeon, but the Gospels in my:bible1: Bible are Matthew, Mark, Luke, & John. The “gospel according to Pastor Rodger” is:dts: NOT in there.(Thank God!!)

This is a difficult decision, I know…but I sensed the lie in pretending to believe that this man was right, and Our Lord was, apparently,:crying: mistaken.
:twocents: and HTH!!

 

[Dauphin]

Hello all. I am a Protestant but very interested in becoming Catholic. I have attended many masses and some RCIA classes, and I believe in the Roman Catholic view of Holy Communion. I am torn however, when my church celebrates Communion. I know what I believe about the Real Presence but my church does not believe that. Should I not partake of Communion since my church does not believe what I do? Or does in not really matter, since I am not Catholic? I really am confused at this point. Thanks and God bless.

It’s best if you don’t partake of their communion. To someone who accepts the words of our Lord at the institution of the Eucharist (“This is My Body… This is My Blood”), the ‘symbolic’ communion is a sort of mockery.

Taking communion at this church is also implies that you accept their theology, which you obviously don’t.

 

[Tietjen]

Hello all. I am a Protestant but very interested in becoming Catholic. I have attended many masses and some RCIA classes, and I believe in the Roman Catholic view of Holy Communion. I am torn however, when my church celebrates Communion. I know what I believe about the Real Presence but my church does not believe that. Should I not partake of Communion since my church does not believe what I do? Or does in not really matter, since I am not Catholic? I really am confused at this point. Thanks and God bless.

Well, as I see it, if you are no longer in communion with the Protestant Church, then to take part in their communion is like lying. My advice… re-enroll in RCIA classes as soon as possible and cross the Tiber! God bless you!

 

[Seatuck]

If you believe Christ is present body ,blood , soul and divinity in the Catholic Eucharist then it would be a violation of your conscience to participate in a communion rite in a protestant church.

 

[kleary]

Hello all. I am a Protestant but very interested in becoming Catholic. I have attended many masses and some RCIA classes, and I believe in the Roman Catholic view of Holy Communion. I am torn however, when my church celebrates Communion. I know what I believe about the Real Presence but my church does not believe that. Should I not partake of Communion since my church does not believe what I do? Or does in not really matter, since I am not Catholic? I really am confused at this point. Thanks and God bless.

To partake in the Protestant “communion service” once you have come to the truth concerning the Real Presence would be actually a denial of that Real Presence. No matter what it does not even matter what Protestants believe concerning the Eucharist- if they are not validly ordained Catholic or Orthodox priests there is no “real presence”. It is not your belief or the belief of the congregation that makes the change happen from bread and wine into the Body, Blood, Soul and divinity of Jesus Christ.

If I were you I would cease going to a Protestant church and start attending Mass at the local parish even though you cannot receive Holy Communion until after you have completed RCIA. It is USELESS to receive at a Protestant church, absolutely useless. It does nothing for your soul and can only serve as a stumbling block to your 100 percent conversion back to the One True Church. In fact, even conversation with the “pastor” there could lead to further confusion if you do not 100 percent know the Catholic Faith and how to defend it.

Ken

 

[t68ware]

Thank you to all who answered my post. I received lots of great advise and even called Catholic answers radio program for some advise. I will continue to seek full communion in the RCC, and continue to seek Gos’d guidance. If anyone has anymore advise, please pass it on.

 

[DJgang]

I can tell you…if you believe in the Real Presence and have the desire to become in full communion with the Catholic church, then…well…you know the answer, Communion will never be the same.

As a matter of fact, Ash Wednesday of last year was the last time I received communion in the Episcopal Church. I’ve really, really longed for the Eucharist…but I know in my heart where I’m suppose to be…so I wait…I will be recieving Communion in the Church on Easter Vigil.

God bless you…keep attending Mass and consider yourself Catholic…do everything but recieve the Sacraments…spend time in Adoration, it will help.