Funeral Mass

[belmontmac]

Recently attended a funeral Mass. Should the Priest make an announcement at some point prior to Holy Communion about non Catholics not receiving. I recently experienced this, but the Priest did not say anything, and I observed many a non Catholic receiving. Should I address this with the Priest, for the future?

 

[Phemie]

Recently attended a funeral Mass. Should the Priest make an announcement at some point prior to Holy Communion about non Catholics not receiving. I recently experienced this, but the Priest did not say anything, and I observed many a non Catholic receiving. Should I address this with the Priest, for the future?

I read on these forums that such an announcement is common in parishes at funerals and weddings but I must admit that I have never, ever heard such a thing at any funeral or wedding I’ve ever attended. I’ve been to funerals where the local Protestant ministers were present and received Communion and they, more than anyone, should know that there is no open Communion in the Catholic Church. Nobody ever even blinked.

 

[belmontmac]

I read on these forums that such an announcement is common in parishes at funerals and weddings but I must admit that I have never, ever heard such a thing at any funeral or wedding I’ve ever attended. I’ve been to funerals where the local Protestant ministers were present and received Communion and they, more than anyone, should know that there is no open Communion in the Catholic Church. Nobody ever even blinked.

You would think the Protastant ministers would especially refrain from receiving. But I would anticipate the response would be, that it is up to the individual to determine. But I would think the priest should make an announcement, especially since at a funeral or wedding that there is a good chance non Catholics would be present. I recently watched our wedding video, and the priest(cousin of my wife), made a real stern announcement about receiving, not being aware of mortal sins, etc, and needless to say, there were many receiving just a blessing.

 

[twopekinguys]

I have seen it done both ways. Some priests will, some won’t.

I don’t believe there is anything in the rubrics that state it should be done either way.

In the back of the missalette, there is a statement about non Catholics not receiving, but I’m sure the missalette is just as difficult for a non Catholic as it is a Catholic.

I think you could discuss it with the priest, but I don’t think it is something that you would want to make confrontational in any way.

 

[Love_Divine]

I know every Christmas the priest at the church I go to makes an announcement to the visitors about communion. I’ve never heard it announced at a funeral, and I can’t remember the last time I went to a wedding that actually had a nuptial mass, even if both are Catholic.

I was always under the impression, that as Catholics, it’s our duty to make sure our visitors are made aware of the rules regarding communion. In other words, the onus is on everyone to make sure non Catholics don’t receive communion.

 

[catsrus]

A parish I attended in Chandler, AZ; the priest made an announcement at every Mass regarding Holy Communion and non Catholics as well as Catholics who had not sought Reconciliation. An announcement was also made regarding ALL beepers (do people still use those?) and cell phones being turned off - no exceptions!
I thought it was great!

Sad story:
My friend’s BIL attended a Catholic Funeral Mass and KNOWINGLY recieved. I mean that he KNEW he was not to do so being a protestant but told my friend, “I do as I please and I knew that priest would not ask me if I was Catholic. Big Deal!”
Almost as though he was issuing a challange to God.

 

[choy]

A parish I attended in Chandler, AZ; the priest made an announcement at every Mass regarding Holy Communion and non Catholics as well as Catholics who had not sought Reconciliation. An announcement was also made regarding ALL beepers (do people still use those?) and cell phones being turned off - no exceptions!
I thought it was great!

Sad story:
My friend’s BIL attended a Catholic Funeral Mass and KNOWINGLY recieved. I mean that he KNEW he was not to do so being a protestant but told my friend, “I do as I please and I knew that priest would not ask me if I was Catholic. Big Deal!”
Almost as though he was issuing a challange to God.

i think the issue here is he doesn’t believe that what he is receiving is the Body of Christ. so to him what we say doesn’t really hold water

but liken this to another scenario. in Hong Kong there is this monestary for Buddhists which has the largest outdoor Buddha statue in the world. i’ve been there twice as a tourist. attached to the monument is a Buddhist temple and part of the temple there is that area where they worship. now obviously i am not a Buddhist, nor do i know what are limits and bounds of their faith are. while that worshiping area is open and you see huge Buddha statues and people offering food and insence, i don’t even dare step inside and take photos. sure, i can say that i believe Buddha is not real and that its not a big deal if i just act all touristy in that area. but i don’t. i respect the area not because i fear Buddha or want to respect him, but out of respect for those who do

thats should be how he should approach it. whether he believes in the Real Presence or not, being non-Catholic he should respect our beliefs regardless of what he thinks of our beliefs

 

[puzzleannie]

do you have reason to believe that even if an announcement was made that many people who are not Catholic, or Catholics who are not worthily disposed, would not approach communion anyway? [edited]

 

[choy]

well in a funeral or wedding, its easy to spot the non-Catholics because you probably know a lot, if not all of the people there

as for the proper disposition of Catholics, yes, that one is between them and God. being Catholic, they should know this already and don’t need to be told. but for non-Catholics they should be told

 

[Phemie]

well in a funeral or wedding, its easy to spot the non-Catholics because you probably know a lot, if not all of the people there

as for the proper disposition of Catholics, yes, that one is between them and God. being Catholic, they should know this already and don’t need to be told. but for non-Catholics they should be told

It’s not really easy to know if the visitors are Catholic or not. I’ve been at funerals, weddings and Masses where baptisms are celebrated and, honestly, some we know are Catholics act as though they never been in church before. Suddenly they don’t know when to stand, kneel or sit. I’ve seen some non-Catholic at least follow what the majority is doing when the Catholics in the front pews seem totally clueless.

 

[baltobetsy]

I’m a funeral cantor and am very happy about how my pastor handles it. He says if you are Catholic and spiritually prepared to receive Communion, please come to Communion by the center aisle and return to your seat by the side aisle. Covers it nicely without sounding confrontational.

Betsy

 

[Annabelle_Marie]

do you have reason to believe that even if an announcement was made that many people who are not Catholic, or Catholics who are not worthily disposed, would not approach communion anyway? [edited]

i think an announcement would be kind…then what happens is on their own conscience. Quite honestly I was baptized Catholic and had first communion but left the church before I had my first reconciliation. I had no idea about communion when I would go with my family. Thank goodness that I refrained…although at that time it was out of respect…more then knowing what to do…

 

[choy]

It’s not really easy to know if the visitors are Catholic or not. I’ve been at funerals, weddings and Masses where baptisms are celebrated and, honestly, some we know are Catholics act as though they never been in church before. Suddenly they don’t know when to stand, kneel or sit. I’ve seen some non-Catholic at least follow what the majority is doing when the Catholics in the front pews seem totally clueless.

i mean, like for example at my wedding i would know a good number of people there because i invited them. and i would know if they are Catholics or not. in a funeral, chances are people there are related to the person who passed away and if you are related to that person too, there’s a good chance you know at least a few of the people there

 

[Moscati]

My parish also has the weekly announcement about cell phones and the rules for receiving. It really does help a lot, and it’s done in a non-confrontational way.

I do think that those of us who know should help our non-Catholic visitors out. I was really, really glad the person I attended my first Mass with told me what was what (and she wasn’t really even practicing).

 

[Phemie]

At Dad’s funeral the priest didn’t wait for the family to come forward for Communion but came to the pew and gave Communion to everyone - including my brother’s Jewish lover who later claimed not to know how to decline. “You could have simply shaken your head ‘no’ and kept your hands by your side!”

My brother couldn’t understand why I was upset.

 

[paperwight]

the priest(cousin of my wife), made a real stern announcement about receiving, not being aware of mortal sins, etc, and needless to say, there were many receiving just a blessing.

I think it is far better to use the more positive way of the priest in our parish, who makes a point of welcoming ‘all those of different Christian traditions or different faiths’, and then, when it is time for Holy Communion, announces ‘if you are not receiving Holy Communion for whatever reason, I hope you feel very welcome to come forward for a blessing, and to indicate that, perhaps you could put your arm across your chest like this’. (I have his words off pat because I am a sacristan and have been to so many funerals!).

So, in other words, he goes out of his way to plant the idea that Catholics are not a clique or unfriendly, and also makes it clear that nobody is doing anything wrong if they don’t receive. I’m sure the unwillingness to commit a gaffe or to be hurtful to anyone is behind some people’s decision to go into the Communion line, rather like how refusing a cake at grandma’s would upset her so best just to do it.

I’m sorry if my example of a cake at granny’s seems disrespectful. It’s not meant to be. I’m just trying to portray another mindset that doesn’t realise what we believe, but doesn’t want to cause trouble or upset, and above all wants to show solidarity and sympathy.

 

[mariyka]

I’m a funeral cantor and am very happy about how my pastor handles it. He says if you are Catholic and spiritually prepared to receive Communion, please come to Communion by the center aisle and return to your seat by the side aisle. Covers it nicely without sounding confrontational.

Betsy

Beautiful!

 

[Newbie2]

I know every Christmas the priest at the church I go to makes an announcement to the visitors about communion. I’ve never heard it announced at a funeral, and I can’t remember the last time I went to a wedding that actually had a nuptial mass, even if both are Catholic.

I was always under the impression, that as Catholics, it’s our duty to make sure our visitors are made aware of the rules regarding communion. In other words, the onus is on everyone to make sure non Catholics don’t receive communion.

I’ve seen inserts in the front of the missalette cover that spell out who is welcome to receive the Eucharist.

It’s not really easy to know if the visitors are Catholic or not. I’ve been at funerals, weddings and Masses where baptisms are celebrated and, honestly, some we know are Catholics act as though they never been in church before. Suddenly they don’t know when to stand, kneel or sit. I’ve seen some non-Catholic at least follow what the majority is doing when the Catholics in the front pews seem totally clueless.

Yep. I would guess there are a number of C&Es that go to weddings and funerals but otherwise avoid mass like the plague. Sad to ponder what they’re missing.

 

[JerrySeibert]

A simple announcement would help. At my Parish "Those who are not Catholic, or in a state of Grace need to simply, cross your arms and bow in respect to the Body of Christ and the Priest will bestow a blessing.
As many have posted it is not done in a confrontational manner. Just an FYI type of announcement.

 

[Cojuanco]

Our parish priest states the same thing every Corpus Christi, and most people who aren’t disposed, even at Easter, tend to do the foldy-thing or not go into the Communion line - then again, even the Chreasters know this, usually because at least some in their family are regular Mass-goers.

At the funeral Mass, though, we didn’t have this problem, because a good deal of those present, being Baptists (with whom the Catholic members of the family don’t get along with), thought what we were doing was idolatrous, and so simply refrained