MERGED: Non-Catholic Receiving Eucharist/How to tell them they can't receive?

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AmandaH

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Last weekend, my cousin got married and had a full Mass. A good friend of mine who is not Catholic (Episcopalian) went right up and received the Eucharist. :eek: I feel like I want to tell her that she was out of line to do that, but also don’t want ruffle any feathers. Would you just leave it be and pray that the Eucharist she received somehow stirs her heart and leads to her conversion or would you say something to her? And, if so, how to do it gently?
 
Depending on your relationship with her and your own ability to do it in a charitable, non-confrontational manner, you might gently approach the subject by asking your friend if she was aware of the Catholic Church’s beliefs and policies regarding the Eucharist. She may not have known that she shouldn’t have received, or if she did your bringing the subject up can register your objection with her in a charitable way.
 
Um aren’t they supposed to announce at weddings that non-Catholics shouldn’t take Holy Communion? :confused:
 
Just give a gentle reminder the next time you know she will be invited to Mass.
 
The above 2 answers cover it.

As said above, it would be a good idea to approach the matter as a question, “Was she aware…”. If she was not, then you have helped her. If she WAS aware and did it anyway…The all you can do is pray that God forgive her.

Peace
James
 
domandcarols said:
Um aren’t they supposed to announce at weddings that non-Catholics shouldn’t take Holy Communion? :confused:
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That’s strictly up to the celebrant. I’ve never heard any such announcement at any wedding I’ve ever been to, although from reading about it here I understand it’s SOP in certain parishes at weddings, funerals and other special occasion Masses. In all my 58 years I’ve heard that kind of announcement exactly once, by an elderly priest providing pastoral services in our parish last Christmas.
 
My family and I are coming into the Church this Easter. I have relatives and friends that are not Catholic, and others who are Catholic, but have not practiced the faith in many, many years. We have invited these people as guests to the Easter Vigil. How do I go about telling them that they are not to go up to receive Holy Communion? I have a feeling some simply may not know any better, while others (the Catholics who are definitely not in a state of grace) do know, but still may go up to receive anyway. I made a Facebook invitation, which is primarily how everyone was invited. I thought of adding something to the invitation, but I am having trouble finding the most gentle words to use. Perhaps I could include a link that briefly explains why they are not to receive. Can anyone point me in the right direction?

Thanks in advance!
 
When this happened I took the non-Catholic guests aside (alone) and explained to them that the Catholic Church does not have open communion. Because of the beliefs of the Church only those who have been instructed in the faith should receive communion. And then I asked them to please not go up for communion.

If they had questions I pointed out that going for communion means being part of the CATHOLIC community… why would they want others to believe they’re Catholic when they’re not? And that usually nipped things in the bud.

Not sure if it’s the best approach but it’s the one I used and no one seemed offended.
 
Generally, at occasions like Easter, Christmas, weddings, funerals, etc. the Priest explains to the congregation about receiving Holy Communion. Maybe, because you’re concerned, it would be a good idea to double-check with your Priest ahead of time.

Welcome and I hope you have a wonderful experience! 🙂
 
My extended family has been Catholic all my life; although I am personally just coming into the Church. I am not unfamiliar with the rules about communion, or about being a visitor/guest at the Church. I like the idea of framing it in terms of “not open communion;” it just presents it as the rules of the Church, not as a personal judgment. I also like how you explain the significance – if you partake of the eucharist, it is a public declaration that you are definitively a practicing Catholic. It’s just clarification, so they know what to expect. And also, I respect those who refrain from communion when they are not eligible for sacraments. It’s honest and responsible.

As to those who are Catholic but not practicing, I don’t really think they need another Catholic to explain the rules to them. They know and God knows what is in their hearts; it’s up to their conscience to make their decision. I wouldn’t worry about it looking bad on you if they take communion; God will have the final say, and the Church knows that. Plus, at a large special event, most people are not going to have any idea who is a church member and who is not. 🙂
 
grasscutter said:
Generally, at occasions like Easter, Christmas, weddings, funerals, etc. the Priest explains to the congregation about receiving Holy Communion. Maybe, because you’re concerned, it would be a good idea to double-check with your Priest ahead of time.

Welcome and I hope you have a wonderful experience! 🙂
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My priest did no such thing and I wouldn’t rely on this… in the moment he could end up forgetting just because of the stresses of the day. It’s best to talk to your guests personally.
 
nickybr38 said:
When this happened I took the non-Catholic guests aside (alone) and explained to them that the Catholic Church does not have open communion. Because of the beliefs of the Church only those who have been instructed in the faith should receive communion. And then I asked them to please not go up for communion.

If they had questions I pointed out that going for communion means being part of the CATHOLIC community… why would they want others to believe they’re Catholic when they’re not? And that usually nipped things in the bud.

Not sure if it’s the best approach but it’s the one I used and no one seemed offended.
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Nicky, I really like this!!! Of course this approach might not work so well with fallen away or “non-practicing” Catholics…

To the OP,
Perhaps, you can just make a follow-up on the facebook invitation and start out by saying…“It occurred to me after posting the invitation that I should explain a little about communion in the Catholic Church in order to avoid confusion…”
Then you can simply say something like, “In the Catholic Church, only those who are Catholic and in a state of grace may receive communion. This is the only restriction to participation so I hope that this will not deter anyone from joining us in celebrating this joyful occasion. If anyone has a question about this, feel free to ask.”

Is that gentle enough??

Peace
James
 
nickybr38 said:
My priest did no such thing and I wouldn’t rely on this… in the moment he could end up forgetting just because of the stresses of the day. It’s best to talk to your guests personally.
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I agree that the priest probably won’t say anything about communion at the Vigil as that Mass is usually mostly attended by practicing Catholics. It’s not like a wedding or funeral where there would be a lot of non Catholics. Most non Catholic or C&E Catholics don’t like sitting through a 2 1/2 hour Mass.
 
We had a guest staying with us this weekend.

Our Kids invited her to Mass - she’s not a believer.

We just said: during communion feel free to go up and receive a blessing. Just cross your arms across your chest like this.

That’s what she did.

So instead of denying we invited…👍
 
nickybr38 said:
My priest did no such thing and I wouldn’t rely on this… in the moment he could end up forgetting just because of the stresses of the day. It’s best to talk to your guests personally.
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I don’t know if your parish uses a Missalette but in the inside back cover there is a statement about Communion. You may be able to copy that into your Facebook invitation as it’s worded very nicely.

Welcome home!
 
The expectations of Communion in the Catholic Church were addressed by our priest before my daughter’s wedding. He made it all perfectly clear.
 
The priest should say something after the homily e.g. “If you are not Catholic and would like to receive a blessing when the parishoners come to the altar for Communion, please join the line but keep your hands together when you approch the Eucharistic minister or the priest.”

It is very difficult for a family member to say this because one wants to avoid a heated discussion.

All in attendance joined us for communion at a relative’s wedding and we were all aware there were many non-Catholics on both sides attending. The priest needs to handle this.
 
It’s simple enough to explain to a non-Catholic that they aren’t supposed to take communion. It shouldn’t offend anyone of another faith who is attending a Mass to tell them there are certain parts of the Mass that only Catholics can participate in.

As for Catholics, the plain and simple answer is that you* shouldn’t “*explain that they are not to receive communion” at all, because it isn’t for you to decide whether or not they are worthy of communion.

Whether a person is a baptized Catholic in an objective matter. Whether a baptized Catholic is unworthy of communion is between that Catholic and God. A priest may, depending on the situation, decline to give communion to a baptized Catholic. But you are in no position to judge whether another is in a state of mortal sin. So don’t do it.
 
stanczyk said:
It’s simple enough to explain to a non-Catholic that they aren’t supposed to take communion. It shouldn’t offend anyone of another faith who is attending a Mass to tell them there are certain parts of the Mass that only Catholics can participate in.

As for Catholics, the plain and simple answer is that you* shouldn’t “*explain that they are not to receive communion” at all, because it isn’t for you to decide whether or not they are worthy of communion.

Whether a person is a baptized Catholic in an objective matter. Whether a baptized Catholic is unworthy of communion is between that Catholic and God. A priest may, depending on the situation, decline to give communion to a baptized Catholic. But you are in no position to judge whether another is in a state of mortal sin. So don’t do it.
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Don’t think it is that simple. A non-Catholic friend has been telling a woman about to convert that everyone receives Catholic Communion. She knows this because everyone including herself receives at Catholic weddings. Oh, and she’s an agnostic.

Second woman is a non-practicing Catholic who told the same to-be Catholic that she can just go up to receive. Forget waiting for the priest accepting her into the Church and don’t worry about confession because she never believed in it and confesses her sins to God.

To-be Catholic’s head is spinning.
 
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