Communion Question

[Trumpetina]

Good morning,

I am sure this question has been covered hundreds of times but I wanted to just get clarification. I am in RCIA, and obviously cannot receive communion at this time. I would really like to go to additional masses through the week, but I am not sure what to do when it is time for communion. As I am sure you know, RCIA is dismissed before communion on Sunday, so I have never seen what happens after I leave. Should I leave when it is time? Is there a way to say no to communion properly? I am formerly protestant, and if you didn’t want to take communion, you just passed the tray to the next person. Is there communion at every mass, or just on Sunday?

So anyway, let me know what the correct way to do this would be without embarrassing myself, ha ha

Thank you all so very much for your help and making this forum the wonderful place that it is!

 

[GloriousOrder]

Our Lord comes down into simple bread and wine during every celebration of the Mass.

In order to understand the difference between “Masses” and “The Mass”, you must understand chronos and chiros. Chronos is the ‘real time’ in which human beings, matter, and the universe move. 12 PM to 1 PM is a movement of chronos. Chiros is the ‘eternal time’, the Heavenly measurement of infinity which is beyond human understanding. The Holy Sacrifice is the chronos of Earth entering into the chiros of Heaven. When a 10:30 AM, 12:15 PM, or 5:15 PM Mass is said by a priest, he is entering into the same Mass of all ages in Heaven. For God, the One Mass is taking place continually in A.D. 33 as His Son is killed by us for our own sake. Every single Mass is the same Mass; every single Mass is the compounding of the events of Holy Thursday-Easter Sunday within the space of 30 minutes to three hours.

All that stuff means that there must be Communion at Mass for that Mass to be concurrent with The Mass in Eternity.

At Communion, the people leave their pews and move toward the priest in a line through the aisle to receive Christ our Lord. If you don’t wish to partake of His perfection, you may remain in the pews and pray. Unless you’re in a particularly regimented parish, no one will ever force you to take Communion, or even ask you to do it. Once the Agnus Dei/Lamb of God is said and sung and the priest communicates with our Lord, everyone simply moves forward to receive our Creator…

If you wish to say “no” to Communion, just stay in your pew and pray.

 

[Trumpetina]

Our Lord comes down into simple bread and wine during every celebration of the Mass.

In order to understand the difference between “Masses” and “The Mass”, you must understand chronos and chiros. Chronos is the ‘real time’ in which human beings, matter, and the universe move. 12 PM to 1 PM is a movement of chronos. Chiros is the ‘eternal time’, the Heavenly measurement of infinity which is beyond human understanding. The Holy Sacrifice is the chronos of Earth entering into the chiros of Heaven. When a 10:30 AM, 12:15 PM, or 5:15 PM Mass is said by a priest, he is entering into the same Mass of all ages in Heaven. For God, the One Mass is taking place continually in A.D. 33 as His Son is killed by us for our own sake. Every single Mass is the same Mass; every single Mass is the compounding of the events of Holy Thursday-Easter Sunday within the space of 30 minutes to three hours.

All that stuff means that there must be Communion at Mass for that Mass to be concurrent with The Mass in Eternity.

At Communion, the people leave their pews and move toward the priest in a line through the aisle to receive Christ our Lord. If you don’t wish to partake of His perfection, you may remain in the pews and pray. Unless you’re in a particularly regimented parish, no one will ever force you to take Communion, or even ask you to do it. Once the Agnus Dei/Lamb of God is said and sung and the priest communicates with our Lord, everyone simply moves forward to receive our Creator…

If you wish to say “no” to Communion, just stay in your pew and pray.

That is just what I needed to know. Thank you very much!

 

[GloriousOrder]

You are welcome to the truth of the Holy Church any time. I’m just repeating what I’ve heard! That’s what’s so glorious about the faith you and I are to be entering soon… it has depths and treasured abysses of light beyond all contemplation. Good luck!

 

[COLOS]

Good morning,

I am sure this question has been covered hundreds of times but I wanted to just get clarification. I am in RCIA, and obviously cannot receive communion at this time. I would really like to go to additional masses through the week, but I am not sure what to do when it is time for communion. As I am sure you know, RCIA is dismissed before communion on Sunday, so I have never seen what happens after I leave. Should I leave when it is time? Is there a way to say no to communion properly? I am formerly protestant, and if you didn’t want to take communion, you just passed the tray to the next person. Is there communion at every mass, or just on Sunday?

So anyway, let me know what the correct way to do this would be without embarrassing myself, ha ha

Thank you all so very much for your help and making this forum the wonderful place that it is!

Also, be aware that you can go forward for a blessing. At my parish, you cross your arms over your chest and bow your head. The priest then blesses you in the Name of God. I was told that I could do this while I was in the process of converting as well. Talk to the Priest about whether or not this would be appropriate for you to do at your parish during daily Mass.

 

[Abba]

Even if it is a daily Mass you still need to leave before the sacrifice of the Mass and even if no one is aware that you are a catechumen, in good faith, you still need to leave.

I was just reading a nice book last night about this… let me get a quote for you.

 

[COLOS]

Even if it is a daily Mass you still need to leave before the sacrifice of the Mass and even if no one is aware that you are a catechumen, in good faith, you still need to leave.

I was just reading a nice book last night about this… let me get a quote for you.

Okay. Wasn’t aware of that, and was told the opposite.

I stand corrected.

 

[GloriousOrder]

I used to follow that advice, COLOS, but I think it can build up a sense of entitlement. We converts who are not yet part of the Church have no right to receive any special blessing. Penitents we are, and penitents we must remain until baptised and/or confirmed. It is presumption to go up for a blessing during Communion, when the general congregation will be blessed in the name of the Holy Trinity just moments later (the dismissal).

I asked for the priest’s blessing on the first Sunday of Lent, but that was a special occasion. It seems better for converts to sit in our pews until the day is accomplished.

 

[COLOS]

I used to follow that advice, COLOS, but I think it can build up a sense of entitlement. We converts who are not yet part of the Church have no right to receive any special blessing. Penitents we are, and penitents we must remain until baptised and/or confirmed. It is presumption to go up for a blessing during Communion, when the general congregation will be blessed in the name of the Holy Trinity just moments later (the dismissal).

I asked for the priest’s blessing on the first Sunday of Lent, but that was a special occasion. It seems better for converts to sit in our pews until the day is accomplished.

A most excellent point. I stand doubly corrected.

 

[SeekerCV]

Also, be aware that you can go forward for a blessing. At my parish, you cross your arms over your chest and bow your head. The priest then blesses you in the Name of God. I was told that I could do this while I was in the process of converting as well. Talk to the Priest about whether or not this would be appropriate for you to do at your parish during daily Mass.

I’m currently in RCIA also, and this is what we were instructed to do if we wished to approach the altar with the rest of the community who go up to receive communion (this was prior to beginning dismissals, of course). It was also explained, as in the quoted post, that this is not considered appropriate in all parishes.

 

[mswood]

When I was in RCIA, we where told that if we went to a daily mass or a Sunday mass other than our regular mass (the one we attended as a group and where dismissed from), that we where welcome to stay for the entire mass and during communion we could either stay in our seats or go up to a priest or deacon with our arms crossed over our chest and receive a blessing (though technically this shouldn’t be done, many parishes do allow this, I would check with you priest or deacon).

 

[Abba]

LIfe In Christ - Instructions In The Catholic Faith, Reverend James Killgallon and Gerard Weber, (Nihil Obstat and Impimatur). 1958,

The Reverends in this book note something interesting, Trumpetina. They write that the reason the Mass is called a Mass is because it is a corrupted form in English of Missa which means dismissal, to refer to what happens once the catechumens are dismissed.

What is the structure of the Mass?

The Mass, as we have it today, is divided into two main divisions:

a. The Fore-Mass: this part comprises everything from the beginning of Mass to the end of the sermon.

b. The Sacrifice itself or the Mass of the Faithful: this part comprises everything from the Offertory to the end of Mass.

1. What is the Fore-Mass?

The Fore-Mass or Mass of the Catechumens, is a service of prayer and instruction which is in reality a preparation for the sacrificial part of the Mass (the Mass of the Faithful). It is called the Mass of the Catechumens because in ancient times catechumens (those who were under instruction but not yet baptized) attended this part of the Mass together with the faithful (baptized practicing memebers of the Church). Since this part of the Mass is a service of prayer and instruction, it was fitting that those who were preparing for Baptism should attend and receive their instructions from the Scripture readings and the sermoon. But since, being unbaptized, they could not yet offer Mass as memebers of the Mystical Body, the catechumens left after the sermon.

This dismissal of the catechumens probably accounts for the use of the word “Mass” to describe the sacrifice. Our word “Mass” is an English corruption of the Latin word “Misssa” - dismisssal. Probably the word originated to designate "waht went on following the dismissal of the catechmens: The word came into use in the fourth century. Before that the sacrifice was referred to as the Breaking of Bread, the Eucharist, the Lord’s Supper, Divine Sacrifice, New Sacrifice, to mention only a few of the names for the Mass in ealy centuries.

Let me see if I find something from some current rules and regulations…

 

[Abba]

PONTIFICAL COMMITTEE
FOR INTERNATIONAL EUCHARISTIC CONGRESSES

The Eucharist:
Communion with Christ and with one another

Theological and Pastoral Reflections in Preparation
for the
50th International Eucharistic Congress

to be celebrated in Dublin, Ireland
(June 10th – 17th 2012)

The Prayer of the Faithful is not something to be taken for granted. Catechumens are asked to withdraw before the Prayers of the Faithful. It is a privilege to be part of this praying community united with Christ and with one another.

vatican.va/roman_curia/pont_committees/eucharist-congr/documents/rc_committ_euchar_doc_20110215_50-testo-base_en.html

Peace,

Abba

 

[benedictgal]

Also, be aware that you can go forward for a blessing. At my parish, you cross your arms over your chest and bow your head. The priest then blesses you in the Name of God. I was told that I could do this while I was in the process of converting as well. Talk to the Priest about whether or not this would be appropriate for you to do at your parish during daily Mass.

However, you may not be aware that this practice is ilicit. Please note what he Congregation for Divne Worship and the Discipline of the Sacramens wrote in 2008:

1. The liturgical blessing of the Holy Mass is properly given to each and to all at the conclusion of the Mass, just a few moments subsequent to the distribution of Holy Communion.

1. Lay people, within the context of Holy Mass, are unable to confer blessings. These blessings, rather, are the competence of the priest (cf. Ecclesia de Mysterio, Notitiae 34 (15 Aug. 1997), art. 6, § 2; Canon 1169, § 2; and Roman Ritual De Benedictionibus (1985), n. 18).

1. Furthermore, the laying on of a hand or hands — which has its own sacramental significance, inappropriate here — by those distributing Holy Communion, in substitution for its reception, is to be explicitly discouraged.

1. The Apostolic Exhortation Familiaris Consortio n. 84, “forbids any pastor, for whatever reason to pretext even of a pastoral nature, to perform ceremonies of any kind for divorced people who remarry”. To be feared is that any form of blessing in substitution for communion would give the impression that the divorced and remarried have been returned, in some sense, to the status of Catholics in good standing.

1. In a similar way, for others who are not to be admitted to Holy Communion in accord with the norm of law, the Church’s discipline has already made clear that they should not approach Holy Communion nor receive a blessing. This would include non-Catholics and those envisaged in can. 915 (i.e., those under the penalty of excommunication or interdict, and others who obstinately persist in manifest grave sin).

Perhaps this can explain the matter a little better:

benedictgal-lexorandilexcredendi.blogspot.com/2010/12/why-we-form-line.html

While we may have the best of intenions, we cannot invent a ritual and insert it into the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass on our own authority. Not even the celebrant can do that.

Everyone gets a blessing at the end of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

What the OP can do is to assist at daily Mass. Daily Mass does not carry with it the ritual of dismissing the Elect prior to the offertory. The OP can observe and join the faithful in prayer. When it comes time to receive Holy Communion, the OP can simply remain in the pew and then make a spiritual communion, asking Jesus to come into his/her heart.

 

[COLOS]

However, you may not be aware that this practice is ilicit. Please note what he Congregation for Divne Worship and the Discipline of the Sacramens wrote in 2008:

Perhaps this can explain the matter a little better:

benedictgal-lexorandilexcredendi.blogspot.com/2010/12/why-we-form-line.html

While we may have the best of intenions, we cannot invent a ritual and insert it into the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass on our own authority. Not even the celebrant can do that.

Everyone gets a blessing at the end of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

What the OP can do is to assist at daily Mass. Daily Mass does not carry with it the ritual of dismissing the Elect prior to the offertory. The OP can observe and join the faithful in prayer. When it comes time to receive Holy Communion, the OP can simply remain in the pew and then make a spiritual communion, asking Jesus to come into his/her heart.

and triply corrected, lol.


Thanks,
Andrew

 

[Barbkw]

At our Parish, Catechumens are informed that the Church has daily morning Mass and they are invited to attend.

At the time of the Eucharist, the Catechumens remain standing at their seats.

 

[Abba]

What the OP can do is to assist at daily Mass. Daily Mass does not carry with it the ritual of dismissing the Elect prior to the offertory. The OP can observe and join the faithful in prayer. When it comes time to receive Holy Communion, the OP can simply remain in the pew and then make a spiritual communion, asking Jesus to come into his/her heart.

Hello benedictgal,

Can you site some official Church documents noting that this is acceptable?

How is daily Mass different from Sunday Mass? On Sunday Mass aside from attending Mass we are additionally complying with God’s commandment, but, I think a Mass is a Mass no matter where it is given or the time or day of the week.

Thank you,

Abba

 

[Barbkw]

People aren’t required to attend daily Mass.

Our parish’s daily Masses don’t have music or a collection. The homily is much shorter. There are about 25 regular attendees at daily Mass at our Parish.

However, that’s not the case on the EWTN youtube daily Mass:

youtube.com/user/EWTN#p/u/0/YCwgH1lar5A

 

[Abba]

Hello Barbw,

People aren’t required to attend daily Mass.

Our parish’s daily Masses don’t have music or a collection. The homily is much shorter. There are about 25 regular attendees at daily Mass at our Parish.

I think that is clear, that people are not required to attend daily Mass,but, it is still a Mass. If a catechumen is inspired to attend a daily Mass or daily Masses, it should be with the understanding that it is not less of a Mass than that given on Sunday. We are still offering the Sacrifice of Jesus to the Father. It is still a Sacrament. I may confess sitting in front of a priest or kneeling outside of a confessional, it may be a long or short confession etc… but it is still a Confession and a sacred Sacrament - same with the Mass.

It is not ‘less’ of a Mass, because it is shorter nor because there was no collection or less attendees etc… Just like I would say that a special Mass is not more of a Mass. I have attended Mass that included a five mile procession before the Mass began, but, this does not make it ‘more’ of a Mass. A Mass is a Mass.

However, that’s not the case on the EWTN youtube daily Mass:

What do you mean?

youtube.com/user/EWTN#p/u/0/YCwgH1lar5A

In our day and time, people can participate in Masses by watching it live on television or pre-recorded. With the same faith that I spiritually participate with televised Masses, I would do so if I were I catechumen. I would respect the fact that I am still not part of the Mystical Body of Christ and would change the channel at the end of the Fore-Mass or MASS OF THE CATECHUMENS.

Part of what goes on with catechumens is curiousity and a desire to be full members of the Church and this is good. They need to wait and the waiting does them good. It helps them to develop an appreciation for the Sacrifice of the Mass and not take it for granted. The Church knows what she is doing, she has the wisdom of a 2,011 year history and most of all is guided by the Holy Spirit. We should not encourage people to quench their thirst by watching it on EWTN.

Peace,

Abba

 

[benedictgal]

Hello Barbw,

I think that is clear, that people are not required to attend daily Mass,but, it is still a Mass. If a catechumen is inspired to attend a daily Mass or daily Masses, it should be with the understanding that it is not less of a Mass than that given on Sunday. We are still offering the Sacrifice of Jesus to the Father. It is still a Sacrament. I may confess sitting in front of a priest or kneeling outside of a confessional, it may be a long or short confession etc… but it is still a Confession and a sacred Sacrament - same with the Mass.

It is not ‘less’ of a Mass, because it is shorter nor because there was no collection or less attendees etc… Just like I would say that a special Mass is not more of a Mass. I have attended Mass that included a five mile procession before the Mass began, but, this does not make it ‘more’ of a Mass. A Mass is a Mass.

What do you mean?

In our day and time, people can participate in Masses by watching it live on television or pre-recorded. With the same faith that I spiritually participate with televised Masses, I would do so if I were I catechumen. I would respect the fact that I am still not part of the Mystical Body of Christ and would change the channel at the end of the Fore-Mass or MASS OF THE CATECHUMENS.

Part of what goes on with catechumens is curiousity and a desire to be full members of the Church and this is good. They need to wait and the waiting does them good. It helps them to develop an appreciation for the Sacrifice of the Mass and not take it for granted. The Church knows what she is doing, she has the wisdom of a 2,011 year history and most of all is guided by the Holy Spirit. We should not encourage people to quench their thirst by watching it on EWTN.

Peace,

Abba

Actually, one does not “participate” in Mass by watching it on television. Inasmuch as I love the Papal Masses, I am not particpating in them (even in the live telecast) because I am not there. I have to physically be at Mass in order to fulfill my obligation and participate.

Now, I do not believe that the Elect are prohibited from assisting at daily Mass. However, in the ritual of the scrutinies, it does call for their dismissal. Bear in mind, too, that they are allowed to remain for the entire liturgy during the Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper.