Non-Catholics: Why do you WANT to receive the Eucharist?

[Apryl]

So often in Catholic churches, the discussion can get to the idea of how to remind Non-Catholics that they are not to receive the Holy Communion that we share in our Mass

If we have a guest, and they want to go up, are we being ‘offensive’ if we say ‘you can’t go’? Or should we try to invite others who may not be Catholic so that they may become in communion with us by way of the Eucharist.

(Let me clear something up:I am TOTALLY in in favor of Non-Catholics receiving the Holy Communion, no matter their age or religion. If you have not received the SACRAMENT of the FIRST HOLY COMMUNION, imo, you should not receive)

Some non-Catholics attend Catholic Mass on a regular basis - at least during the holidays when visiting Catholic relatives.

But why would a Non-Catholic, esp those who are aware that this is a problem for at least some Catholics, why would you want to receive Communion? Where is the benefit for you?

Why do you want to receive the Holy Communion, but yet, you are not open to receiving instruction in RCIA? Why do you go and say, ‘Oh no, I’m no Catholic. I have no desire to be’? What is the reason for “Playing Catholic”?

I’m do hope that this question will at least provoked some honest dialogue on this topic. My thing is I think that so often, Catholics, in the spirit of Charity and ecumenism, are either encouraging, or at least not discouraging, Non-Catholics from receiving, or in effortts to ‘not offend’ are not saying anything, but what is the perspective from the other side.

(If there is a similar discussion to this, plaese add this to the earlier one. I did a search, but was not patient enough to go through very many pages of search results)

 

[emeraldcoast]

Hi Apryl,

From my point of view as a Christian, I can’t ever imagine denying another Christian the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is Jesus’ invitation that we partake in the Lord’s Supper.

Do you not feel bad denying a friend/family member attending Mass with you the body and blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ??

God Bless!

 

[JimG]

I think that one should keep in mind St. Paul’s warning expressed in 1 Corinthians 11:26-30, about receiving the Eucharist unworthily, or receiving it without recognizing that it is the body and blood of Christ. One who does so, he says, eats and drinks judgment upon himself. That is not what we wish for our friends.

 

[heathernoel]

Hi Apryl,

From my point of view as a Christian, I can’t ever imagine denying another Christian the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is Jesus’ invitation that we partake in the Lord’s Supper.

Do you not feel bad denying a friend/family member attending Mass with you the body and blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ??

God Bless!

I am in the position of having to watch time after time (for years now) as my friends and daughter receive the Eucharist. I have seen friends, time after time, receive the rite of acceptance as I await for God’s plan to unfold. I am so jealous. I feel sorry for myself. I want to bawl!

But then, I remind myself that I’m not being denied anything. By not taking until His time, I have been blessed to be in His House, watching my brothers and sisters take part in a sacrament that was played out 2000 years ago. I’m not being denied anything…I have it better. Not only am I taking Spiritual Eucharist with my brothers and sisters, I am witnessing this seemingly intimate, but so Holy and Public, moment of affirmation of Christ’s love for my daughter, my friends…His body!

So, in answer: I want SO bad to feast at His Banquet table. But while I wait for God’s plan to work (Husband’s FINALLY going back to Church…He wanted me to wait to be confirmed with my husband!!), I get to be a witness to Christ’s love. I don’t have it so bad.

I would NEVER disrespect anyone’s beliefs and receive. I couldn’t imagine the moxy it would take!

 

[LDNCatholic]

Do you not feel bad denying a friend/family member attending Mass with you the body and blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ??

God Bless!

We believe, as well you know, that one cannot recieve the Eucharist without being in Communion with the Catholic Church. Further, one cannot recieve without having confessed all sins to a priest in the Sacrament of Confession.

As non Catholics are not in communion with the Catholic Church, and (most) cannot pursue the Sacrament of Confession, the Eucharist at a Catholic Mass is denied to them.

If they desire Jesus’ Body and Blood and they believe that He is there, truly present in the Eucharist of the Catholic Mass, then they should get themselves into RCIA post haste.

 

[Lutheranteach]

As I am part of a denomination that believes in the real presence, I want to receive the eucharist for the same reasons you do.

 

[TheosisM]

As I am part of a denomination that believes in the real presence, I want to receive the eucharist for the same reasons you do.

Would you want to receive Eucharist in a Catholic church? If so, would it be because you are in an area without a Lutheran church?

 

[Lutheranteach]

Would you want to receive Eucharist in a Catholic church? If so, would it be because you are in an area without a Lutheran church?

My wife is Catholic, as are many relatives. I enjoy going to mass with them, but I am very much a part of my denomination. I can’t always get to both. It is often an issue on Christmas Eve with the travel and timing.

 

[Xavierlives]

So often in Catholic churches, the discussion can get to the idea of how to remind Non-Catholics that they are not to receive the Holy Communion that we share in our Mass

But why would a Non-Catholic, esp those who are aware that this is a problem for at least some Catholics, why would you want to receive Communion? Where is the benefit for you?

Why do you want to receive the Holy Communion, but yet, you are not open to receiving instruction in RCIA? Why do you go and say, ‘Oh no, I’m no Catholic. I have no desire to be’? What is the reason for “Playing Catholic”?

I’ve been to a wide variety of services and I never participate in their communion. I’d rather offend my not participating than offend by participating.

 

[TheosisM]

My wife is Catholic, as are many relatives. I enjoy going to mass with them, but I am very much a part of my denomination. I can’t always get to both. It is often an issue on Christmas Eve with the travel and timing.

Ah okay, thanks for explaining.

 

[LDNCatholic]

My wife is Catholic, as are many relatives. I enjoy going to mass with them, but I am very much a part of my denomination. I can’t always get to both. It is often an issue on Christmas Eve with the travel and timing.

Then I hope you show the proper respect to the Catholic Church and do not recieve.

It is quite an unfortunate situation and I do understand where you’re coming from but Catholics practice closed communion, like some Lutheran and Anglican groups.

 

[ricko]

First, you must be in a state of grace. “Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of profaning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a man examine himself, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup” (1 Cor. 11:27–28).

Second, you must have been to confession since your last mortal sin. The Didache witnesses to this practice of the early Church. “But first make confession of your faults, so that your sacrifice may be a pure one” (Didache 14).

Third, you must believe in the doctrine of transubstantiation. “For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment upon himself” (1 Cor. 11:29).

Fourth, you must observe the Eucharistic fast. Canon law states, “One who is to receive the most Holy Eucharist is to abstain from any food or drink, with the exception only of water and medicine, for at least the period of one hour before Holy Communion” (CIC 919 §1).

Finally, one must not be under an ecclesiastical censure.

Scripture is clear that partaking of the Eucharist is among the highest signs of Christian unity: “Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread” (1 Cor. 10:17). For this reason, it is normally impossible for non-Catholic Christians to receive Holy Communion, for to do so would be to proclaim a unity to exist that, regrettably, does not.

To sum it up, unless you are a Catholic in good standing with the Church you cannot receive communion. If you are not a Catholic you cannot receive communion. It is not for the person to make up their own rules or come up with some excuse to receive communion that is against Catholic teaching.

 

[emeraldcoast]

First, you must be in a state of grace. “Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of profaning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a man examine himself, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup” (1 Cor. 11:27–28).

Second, you must have been to confession since your last mortal sin. The Didache witnesses to this practice of the early Church. “But first make confession of your faults, so that your sacrifice may be a pure one” (Didache 14).

Third, you must believe in the doctrine of transubstantiation. “For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment upon himself” (1 Cor. 11:29).

Fourth, you must observe the Eucharistic fast. Canon law states, “One who is to receive the most Holy Eucharist is to abstain from any food or drink, with the exception only of water and medicine, for at least the period of one hour before Holy Communion” (CIC 919 §1).

Finally, one must not be under an ecclesiastical censure.

Scripture is clear that partaking of the Eucharist is among the highest signs of Christian unity: “Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread” (1 Cor. 10:17). For this reason, it is normally impossible for non-Catholic Christians to receive Holy Communion, for to do so would be to proclaim a unity to exist that, regrettably, does not.

To sum it up, unless you are a Catholic in good standing with the Church you cannot receive communion. If you are not a Catholic you cannot receive communion. It is not for the person to make up their own rules or come up with some excuse to receive communion that is against Catholic teaching.

Rick,

Mortals sins? I don’t think that you will find me on “America’s Most Wanted”…

God Bless!

 

[LDNCatholic]

Mortals sins? I don’t think that you will find me on “America’s Most Wanted”…

And yet without the Sacrament of Confession you are not fully prepared to recieve the Eucharist, therefore if you ever attend Mass I hope you show the proper respect too and do not recieve.

 

[Usbek_de_Perse]

Several years ago, our the bishop, William Swing of California went on a pilgrimage with two other bishops from San Francisco, the RC archbishop, and the Greek Orthodox bishop. They went to Canterbury, Rome and Istanbul. They could not, by their own rules or by the rules of the host church all take communion together.

It is interesting to note that the RC archbishop of San Francisco was William Levada, now in charge of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in the Roman church.

I find it quite strange that there are such divides in churches. The Episcopal Church had closed communion until around 1960. I don’t know if the Missouri Synod Lutherans still do.

I have taken communion in a Roman Catholic church one time, with the full knowledge of the priest. Our Episcopal church had a ski retreat and the cabin was next to a RC church. The old priest was a bit overwhelmed to find more young Episcopalians than anyone else in his church, but we showed ourselves very respectful (as we were naturally) and he recognized that we understood what we were doing. I have also made confession in a Catholic church, again with full knowledge of the priest. He knew I knew what the sacrament is about.

I also note that according to reports, Brother Roger, of Taize, a Protestant, was first to receive communion from the hands of Cardinal Ratzinger at the funeral of John-Paul II. When Brother Roger himself died later that same year, his funeral was a mass presided over by Cardinal Walter Kasper and communion was distributed to congregants from all denominations.

 

[Usbek_de_Perse]

To sum it up, unless you are a Catholic in good standing with the Church you cannot receive communion. If you are not a Catholic you cannot receive communion. It is not for the person to make up their own rules or come up with some excuse to receive communion that is against Catholic teaching.

When attending Catholic churches, I do not present myself for communion. These are the rules of the Catholic church, and they have the right to make their rules, and I have the obligation and privilege to respect them. However, it is sad that who can and cannot take communion is based on membership in one church or another.

I have seen seminary trained Catholics (non-ordinands) take communion in the Episcopal church.

 

[O.S.Luke]

As I am part of a denomination that believes in the real presence, I want to receive the eucharist for the same reasons you do.

I too am a part of a communion that believes in the Real Presence, and want to receive the Eucharist because I want to receive Christ.

I am well aware of Catholic rules. For this reason, I have quit going to Catholic funerals and weddings, even of family and friends, if it is a Mass. It is just too painful.

I don’t care to be lectured or given the Catholic line that I am so painfully aware of. Non-Catholics were invited to respond to the original post - and that’s what I am doing.

 

[ralphinal]

Here is a question for everyone who is on the side of an open communion:

What is the cut-off for acceptable faith understandings? Must the person be Christian? Must they believe in the Real Presence? Where do you feel the appropriate level of “Christianity” is for someone to receive?

 

[2nd_Adam]

I think that one should keep in mind St. Paul’s warning expressed in 1 Corinthians 11:26-30, about receiving the Eucharist unworthily, or receiving it without recognizing that it is the body and blood of Christ. One who does so, he says, eats and drinks judgment upon himself. That is not what we wish for our friends.

That’s dangerous to apply that thinking to Protestants in general. Does 1 Cor 11 apply to all Protestants when we partake in communion in our Protestant churches, or just when we partake in communion in the Catholic Church? In a Catholic translation, is the word Eucharist actually used?

The Lord’s Supper

17 But in the following instructions I do not commend you, because when you come together it is not for the better but for the worse. 18 For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you. And I believe it in part, [4] 19 for there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized. 20 When you come together, it is not the Lord’s supper that you eat. 21 For in eating, each one goes ahead with his own meal. One goes hungry, another gets drunk. 22 What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I commend you in this? No, I will not.

23 For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body which is for [5] you. Do this in remembrance of me.” [6] 25 In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

27 Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. 28 Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. 30 That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died. [7] 31 But if we judged [8] ourselves truly, we would not be judged. 32 But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined [9] so that we may not be condemned along with the world.

33 So then, my brothers, [10] when you come together to eat, wait for [11] one another— 34 if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home—so that when you come together it will not be for judgment. About the other things I will give directions when I come.

 

[Wesley7]

Basically, receiving Holy Communion means you are in communion with that Church.