How do you prepare for Holy Communion?

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confession when necessary, and active participation in Mass.
 
I start when I tell Him goodnight the night before, tell Him Iā€™m looking forward to it. And first thing that morning too. And I ask Blessed Mother to pray for me and be with me when I receive Him. Pray in the car on the way to mass. Act of contrition (confession if needed). Ask my guardian angel to pray with me at mass and help me receive Him worthily Ask the Holy Spirit to come into me so I can greet Jesus with a lot of love. And, of course, pay close attention at mass. And I love to receive Him in my hands so I can look at Him briefly and tell Him welcome. (No, I have no problem with people who receive on the tongue. I think thatā€™s great too. Iā€™m just saying what I do.) I got to go to communion this morning. Communion is awesome. I feel so sorry for other good Christians who donā€™t get to do this. Thatā€™s why I wish everybody was Catholic.šŸ™‚
 
Student09 said:
Please share. šŸ™‚
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The usual one hour fast. On arriving at the Church, bless myself with Holy Water and say."By this Holy Water, and by thy pecious blood, wash away all my sins, O Lord, and relieve the poor souls of Purgatory. " During the mass I concentrate on trying to get a plenary indulgence, or at least a hefty partial indulgence, for the Poor Souls, having made the heroic act.
 
My best Communions have been those where I was able to receive Jesus with the most love. I ask our Blessed Mother to prepare my heart for Jesus and to help me to love Him, and I really like the idea of asking the Holy Spirit for this as well. I try to be free of all sin, by going to Confession regularly and repenting of any venial sin. I think itā€™s good to start the preparation the evening before, by asking God to prepare youā€¦ and then, trying to follow every moment of the Mass and letting God work in you. It seems to come down to a sincere love for God, and a deep faith in the Real Presenceā€¦ I also keep the fast.

God bless
 
Thanks to everyone who has posted so far. šŸ™‚ I assumed the necessary requirements - state of grace, one hour fast, participation in the Mass - but was more asking what else, if anything, others did to prepare themselves to receive our Lord. Iā€™m really trying to figure out how I can prepare myself better.
 
one hour fasting before mass. i know its been up for debate, whether its one hour before communion, one hour before consecration, one hour before mass. if you fast one hour before mass, youā€™re 100% sure youā€™re right, because thats more than an hour before communion and consecration. and since its only an hour, i try to abstain from everything, including water, if possible. i know its not a rule, and water is allowed. thats just me

then listen intently to the readings and the homily. and for the brief amount of time lining up for communion, think of my worthiness, or lack of it, for receiving Christ, and ask Him to make me always worthy of Him, a reflection on the prayer, ā€œLord I am not worthy to receive youā€¦ā€
 
I pray before to thank God and tell Him that Iā€™m really looking forward to receiving and ask God to help me prepare for communion and remember what a great gift the Eucharist isā€¦ I also reflect on some bible verses related to the Eucharistā€¦
And of course I fast before communion, one hour. And confession if thatā€™s possible/ necessary.
Going to mass and receiving Jesus is the highlight of my week ā¤ļø
 
I was in a church in Dover, DE last week. The catechist was just finishing up the practice for about 10 first communicants. She ended by reminding them about the one hour fast and the last thing she said was, ā€œcome a little hungry for Jesus.ā€ Wow, one good catechist with good advice!
 
Claire_from_DE said:
I was in a church in Dover, DE last week. The catechist was just finishing up the practice for about 10 first communicants. She ended by reminding them about the one hour fast and the last thing she said was, ā€œcome a little hungry for Jesus.ā€ Wow, one good catechist with good advice!
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When I go to 7 AM Mass, I donā€™t eat breakfast, so I am STARVING for Jesus! šŸ˜ƒ
 
Communion is a special time to physically accept the gift of Jesus through transubstantiation in the sacrifice of the Mass. It is also the spiritual connection with Jesus through turning inward and reflecting on the mystery of Jesus in our hearts throughout the week.

I forget which saint it was, perhaps St. Margaret Mary if I recall correctly, who asked Jesus about the difference between receiving spiritual and physical Holy Communions. His reply had to do with holding up a silver chalice and a gold chalice. He then asked which one was precious metal. The saint replied that both were precious metal, thereby making Jesusā€™ point. He elaborated on this that both fully contained the gift being offered.

Preparing to receive Holy Communion therefore is not a list of actions or doā€™s and donā€™ts. It is taking a moment to find the peace of Jesus already present in your heart. This can be done at any moment of the day, with or without attending Mass. We can and should commune with our Lord often, if only spiritually in the peace of our hearts.

That said, I have a wonderful family, so quiet time isnā€™t always easy to come by, especially for several hours at a time. My life has a lot of energy in it, especially from outside sources. Realistically, there isnā€™t always time for lots of reflection and contemplation before receiving Communion sometimes. God knows this and Iā€™m sure He doesnā€™t fault me for it.

I do try to think about the life, death and resurrection of Jesus before I receive Communion. I also push absolutely everything out of my mind during the Liturgy of the Eucharist. I listen closely to the Liturgy of the Word too, so I can reflect on any message Jesus might have for me.

Thank you for your question. Itā€™s always nice to think about being one with Jesus:thumbsup:

Teresa
M. J. Joachim on Catholic Catechism and More
 
Student09 said:
When I go to 7 AM Mass, I donā€™t eat breakfast, so I am STARVING for Jesus! šŸ˜ƒ
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heehee. But really, we all would be lucky to feel so hungry for Him we would die if we couldnā€™t receive Him. That would be a wonderful grace, to really want Him so much.

I read that the Irishman, Matt Talbot, used to arrive at the church early for mass and kneel at the door until it was opened. Now thatā€™s being hungry for Jesus!
 
Claire_from_DE said:
heehee. But really, we all would be lucky to feel so hungry for Him we would die if we couldnā€™t receive Him. That would be a wonderful grace, to really want Him so much.
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Isnā€™t that really the case with everyone - that we would die if we couldnā€™t receive Him? He is the Life of souls.
 
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