Mass & Communion

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I know this is a strange question, but I’m curious. I know it’s a sin to not go to mass. However, is it a sin to go to mass, and not receive communion even if you’ve been to confession and aren’t in mortal sin? Another words, as long as you go to mass every week, and confession when needed, can you still be free of sin if not taking communion?
 
I know this is a strange question, but I’m curious. I know it’s a sin to not go to mass. However, is it a sin to go to mass, and not receive communion even if you’ve been to confession and aren’t in mortal sin? Another words, as long as you go to mass every week, and confession when needed, can you still be free of sin if not taking communion?
Of course it’s not a sin. Were are only required to receive Communion once per year.
 
Communion is not a requirement at every Mass, so, no it is not a sin. I think you MUST receive once per year, and it is recommended that you receive during Easter if possible.

Is there a reason you don’t want to receive? I’ve heard some people say that they refrain to suffer, but NEVER receiving or receiving only once per year would be very hard on your soul I would think.
 
Short answer: Yes, though the Church encourages frequent Communion.

Long answer: Yes, you’re not committing a sin. The minimum requirement re: Communion is that must recieve Communion at least once “at the Easter time.” Note that that does not mean it has to be on Easter Sunday - there’s a period of about six weeks, IIRC, within which you must recieve Communion at least once.
 
I can’t think of any reason to refrain as long as you’ve prepared yourself for the reception with prayer. If you haven’t prepared yourself for reception, then an argument could be made that you are guilty of violating the first commandment by putting something ahead of God.
 
I can’t think of any reason to refrain as long as you’ve prepared yourself for the reception with prayer. If you haven’t prepared yourself for reception, then an argument could be made that you are guilty of violating the first commandment by putting something ahead of God.
Humility?

The old (pre-Pius X) thinking was that it was presumptuous to receive too often. Many holy people and Saints received rarely as a sign of humility. Most people wouldn’t received unless they had confessed immediately prior to Mass, or at the earliest the night before.

There is something to be said to approaching the Eucharist with that kind of awe.

Receiving is not required, so I can’t see how you would sin by failing to be prepared to receive. If fact, I think it is admirable if one refrains when not in the proper mindset.

God Bless
 
Thanks so much for the responses. The only reason I could think someone would not take communion is if they’re severely allergic to wine and bread. Or maybe if someone is on a diet to heal ailments(candida, cancer etc.), and wine/bread is restricted. Anyway, thanks again for answering my question.
 
Humility?

The old (pre-Pius X) thinking was that it was presumptuous to receive too often. Many holy people and Saints received rarely as a sign of humility. Most people wouldn’t received unless they had confessed immediately prior to Mass, or at the earliest the night before.

There is something to be said to approaching the Eucharist with that kind of awe.

Receiving is not required, so I can’t see how you would sin by failing to be worthy to receive. If fact, I think it is admirable if one refrains when not in the proper mindset.

God Bless
Very interesting. Thanks for the insight.
 
Thanks so much for the responses. The only reason I could think someone would not take communion is if they’re severely allergic to wine and bread. Or maybe if someone is on a diet to heal ailments(candida, cancer etc.), and wine/bread is restricted. Anyway, thanks again for answering my question.
There have been a couple of times when I have gotten sick during Mass and was not able to receive Holy Communion (nausea and such). But, that does not mean that I didn’t pray while everyone else was receiving.
 
…during Easter season
Which I might add is several weeks in length, so you have ample opportunity to fulfill your obligation, even if you restrict that to Sundays. Of course, if you can, you should receive more often, but once during that period is the minimum.
 
If you haven’t prepared yourself for reception, then an argument could be made that you are guilty of violating the first commandment by putting something ahead of God.
That’s quite a stretch there. What if one only desires to receive from the priest and sees only EMHC’s? What if one only desires to receive on the tongue and sees this is not done at that Mass? What if one isn’t quite sure if he’s fasted for a full hour? What if one feels queazy in his stomach during Mass? What if one has a bad “hair day” and wants to just stay in back? The list is endless.
 
People should receive Holy Communion at Mass when they want to. That is, when they really desire to receive Jesus, assuming, of course, that they are in a state of grace and have observed the fast. Actually thinking about whether one wants to would eliminate a lot of people who are bored, distracted, angry, etc.

Betsy
 
Humility?

The old (pre-Pius X) thinking was that it was presumptuous to receive too often. Many holy people and Saints received rarely as a sign of humility. Most people wouldn’t received unless they had confessed immediately prior to Mass, or at the earliest the night before.

There is something to be said to approaching the Eucharist with that kind of awe.

Receiving is not required, so I can’t see how you would sin by failing to be prepared to receive. If fact, I think it is admirable if one refrains when not in the proper mindset.

God Bless
“do not receive unless you are in the proper mind-set” there is a familiar ring to that statement…God Bless!
 
CCC#289 “The church recommends that the faithful, if they have the required dispostions, receive Holy Commumion whenever they participate at Holy Mass. However, the Church obliges them to receive Holy Communion at least once a year during the Easter Season.”
 
I can’t think of any reason to refrain as long as you’ve prepared yourself for the reception with prayer. If you haven’t prepared yourself for reception, then an argument could be made that you are guilty of violating the first commandment by putting something ahead of God.
not true, there is no sin in any way shape or form in electing not to receive communion at any given Mass, for any reason, unless of course the reason is unconfessed sin, which OP says is not the case. Do not make up sins where none exist that is unhelpful. This thinking also leads to the worse error, judging others who are not receiving. There are a dozen good reasons I can think of not to receive at any given Mass. Neither are you obligated to offer an explanation to anyone who asks.
 
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