First Communion

[Kimothy80]

Hello!

To put everything onto the table, I received a heart/double lung transplant nearly 14 years ago at the age of 16 (6/14/96). Due to the medications I am on, I am immunosuppressed and I can catch colds, flu, etc. easier than the average person. My queston?

I’ve just recently started attending Mass again (yesterday was my 3rd Sunday) but I haven’t been able to receive Communion. I don’t want to receive it at the same time as everyone else for fear of catching germs (yes, even the priest–sorry! ) but I would still like to receive the Eucharist. How should I go about doing this? I don’t want to tell my whole medical saga but I don’t want to be rude. Any suggestions? Thanks!

 

[Mrs_Sally]

Hello!

To put everything onto the table, I received a heart/double lung transplant nearly 14 years ago at the age of 16 (6/14/96). Due to the medications I am on, I am immunosuppressed and I can catch colds, flu, etc. easier than the average person. My queston?

I’ve just recently started attending Mass again (yesterday was my 3rd Sunday) but I haven’t been able to receive Communion. I don’t want to receive it at the same time as everyone else for fear of catching germs (yes, even the priest–sorry! ) but I would still like to receive the Eucharist. How should I go about doing this? I don’t want to tell my whole medical saga but I don’t want to be rude. Any suggestions? Thanks!

Best answer is to speak to your priest. Since you have been away from the Church for awhile, you’ll need to go to confession first. The priest will have expereince with people in similar situations and can suggest the best solution for you and for him.

I will be praying for your health.

 

[Joannm]

The only suggestion would be to be the first to receive or to receive outside of Mass, perhaps after, but you still have to receive from the priest, you can’t communicate yourself.

 

[Kimothy80]

Thanks Joanne but I feel like such a dope! :doh2:

I DID receive my FC MANY years ago (1988 at the age of 8) BUT post-transplant it has been tricky to still receive the Eucharist. I really don’t want to go up the same time everyone else does at Mass (germs! ) but at the same time, I don’t want to be singled out. How do you suggest I go about it? Thanks!

 

[cctabb]

Thanks Joanne but I feel like such a dope! :doh2:

I DID receive my FC MANY years ago (1988 at the age of 8) BUT post-transplant it has been tricky to still receive the Eucharist. I really don’t want to go up the same time everyone else does at Mass (germs! ) but at the same time, I don’t want to be singled out. How do you suggest I go about it? Thanks!

First thing you need to do is talk to your parish priest.

If you are agreeable to receiving from the priest either on tongue or in the hand then there will be a way for you to receive communion. I think if you can handle restaurant food you can handle receiving the Eucharist.

That said if you have not been attending mass for many years you need to receive the sacrament of reconciliation before receiving the Eucharist. It is a mortal sin to receive the Eucharist without being in a state of grace. Not fulfilling your weekly obligation to attend Mass means that you are not in a state of grace.

 

[Kimothy80]

First thing you need to do is talk to your parish priest.

If you are agreeable to receiving from the priest either on tongue or in the hand then there will be a way for you to receive communion. I think if you can handle restaurant food you can handle receiving the Eucharist.

That said if you have not been attending mass for many years you need to receive the sacrament of reconciliation before receiving the Eucharist. It is a mortal sin to receive the Eucharist without being in a state of grace. Not fulfilling your weekly obligation to attend Mass means that you are not in a state of grace.

OH! Okay I gotcha now. Thanks!

 

[Orleans_Attny]

Hello!

To put everything onto the table, I received a heart/double lung transplant nearly 14 years ago at the age of 16 (6/14/96). Due to the medications I am on, I am immunosuppressed and I can catch colds, flu, etc. easier than the average person. My queston?

I’ve just recently started attending Mass again (yesterday was my 3rd Sunday) but I haven’t been able to receive Communion. I don’t want to receive it at the same time as everyone else for fear of catching germs (yes, even the priest–sorry! ) but I would still like to receive the Eucharist. How should I go about doing this? I don’t want to tell my whole medical saga but I don’t want to be rude. Any suggestions? Thanks!

I think you should ask yourself whether or not you believe you are truly receiving the body, blood, soul, and divinity of Jesus Christ. And if you do, I commend you to not despair and to gratefully take communion whenever you can.

For 13 years, the Blessed Alexandrina Maria da Costa received nurishment from the Eucharist and only the Eucharist. Have her faith and celebrate God’s greatest gift to man.

Pax,
OA