Non Practicing Catholics Receiving Communion

[Brooklyn]

I have been seeing this way too much lately, and I’d like get people’s thoughts on this and if there is anything we can do about it.

Recently I went to a funeral Mass in which I know for a fact that the majority of the family there, although baptized Catholics, have not darkened a Church door in many years. Yet, when it came time for Communion, all of them got up and received. Yesterday I was at a Mass in which the family of the intention of the Mass was there. They sat in front, and were completely ignorant of when to stand or sit or kneel during the Mass, and didn’t know how to bring up the gifts. Now I know we can’t judge one another, but it would seem logical to assume that since they don’t know what they’re doing at Mass, they probably don’t go too often. Yet, of course, they received communion. I also posted a few weeks ago about an 8th grade class at a Mass where only a few raised their hands when asked by the priest if they had attended Mass the previous Sunday, yet they all received communion.

I heard a priest say once that someone who receives communion but is not in a state of grace is like trying to feed a corpse.

Don’t you think that priests should say on a regular basis that only Catholics in good standing with the Church and in a state of grace should receive Communion, and the reason for this? Would that really destroy our PC sensibilities that much?

 

[doanli]

Too many do not go enough, if at all, to Confession either but will accept Holy Communion nevertheless.

However, I think a lot of this is because of poor upbringing in the Faith. I remember my Mom complaining about Dad (a convert from the Southern Baptist faith) hardly knowing anything about the Church’s teaching. (He became a Catholic in 1977.)

 

[Spencerian]

Hi.

As we have seen often with public figures in obvious situations of scandal regarding their political support of abortion and other non-negotiables of the Catholic faith, often the bishops are silent on this. Why?

While a Catholic in mortal sin may or may not speak with their priest, it is not up to us, others of the laity, to make judgment on them. These wayward brothers in Christ may not be so wayward as we believe, despite what we think we know personally about them. The person could have attended the Sacrament of Reconciliation elsewhere, or have made a suitable act of contrition.

Likewise, it is very uncommon for the ordinary ministers to withhold communion. Although they have this right, the priests know that, as we should remind ourselves, that judgment is reserved for God on that’s person’s worthiness to receive the Body and Blood. For a minister to withhold the Eucharist without clear and undeniable unrepentance (or knowledge that the person is not Catholic) may be just as sinful as receiving unworthily.

And remember that, even as a Catholic receiving the Eucharist in a state of grace, we still pray, “Lord, I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word and I will be healed.”

 

[ttk5972]

I would love to hear a homily on 1 Corinthians 11:27, “Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner, shall be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord.”

Unfortunately, I’m not sure even that would help since I’m sure that most who receive believe themselves “worthy.” I handle it by knowing that the Eucharist is the true body and blood of Christ. Whoever truly believes and receives, even if unworthily, may be healed by it. If anyone receives who does not believe or receives purposefully and sinfully, he will be considered guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.

Basically what I mean by this is that if they are just clueless, Jesus may use that opportunity to fill them with gifts of the Holy Spirit and it can be beneficial to the person. Otherwise, God will take care of it and there’s probably nothing we could say to change their minds anyway.

 

[Brooklyn]

Hi.

As we have seen often with public figures in obvious situations of scandal regarding their political support of abortion and other non-negotiables of the Catholic faith, often the bishops are silent on this. Why?

While a Catholic in mortal sin may or may not speak with their priest, it is not up to us, others of the laity, to make judgment on them. These wayward brothers in Christ may not be so wayward as we believe, despite what we think we know personally about them. The person could have attended the Sacrament of Reconciliation elsewhere, or have made a suitable act of contrition.

Likewise, it is very uncommon for the ordinary ministers to withhold communion. Although they have this right, the priests know that, as we should remind ourselves, that judgment is reserved for God on that’s person’s worthiness to receive the Body and Blood. For a minister to withhold the Eucharist without clear and undeniable unrepentance (or knowledge that the person is not Catholic) may be just as sinful as receiving unworthily.

And remember that, even as a Catholic receiving the Eucharist in a state of grace, we still pray, “Lord, I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word and I will be healed.”

I’m not talking about judging anyone here. Certainly we are never in a position to judge the state of someone’s soul. And no, when someone presents him or herself for communion, they can’t be refused, unless their sin in a public one, and to give them communion would cause a scandal. I am talking about the priest making it very clear that unless you are in good standing in the Church and in a state of grace (and that would probably have to be explained), you should not receive communion. I can remember as a kid that there would always be those who did not receive at Mass. Now everyone receives. There is definitely something wrong here.

Why don’t priests ever explain the requirements necessary to receive Communion? I think it’s because nothing is ever said that everyone assumes receiving the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ is no big deal.

 

[Returning_Home]

Brooklyn: I guess I agree in part, but what do you feel is ‘practicing Catholicism?’ Going to church once or twice a month? That would often leave me out because of my family’s work schedule. I go as often as I can.

 

[NewsTheMan]

This touches on something biiiiiig, for me at least. I don’t want to sound high-horsey, judgemental, or anything. However, it irks me to the core when I see people getting communion when I know their soul isn’t in a state of grace. And it isn’t above me being too nosey and digging, you just “know”.

Lets not forget that we are recieving the BODY and BLOOD of our Lord. Have some reverence. For the most part though… this isn’t something that Priests ever bring up, or something that is taught or highlighted. Which I guess isn’t the fault of the people. In my 3 years at my parish I have seen very small numbers go to confession. Either I live amongst saints or… And yet everybody takes communion. I guess in some ways its good, people hunger for the Eucharist! Their Catholic upbringing has let them down though.

 

[Moscati]

I’m not talking about judging anyone here. Certainly we are never in a position to judge the state of someone’s soul. And no, when someone presents him or herself for communion, they can’t be refused, unless their sin in a public one, and to give them communion would cause a scandal. I am talking about the priest making it very clear that unless you are in good standing in the Church and in a state of grace (and that would probably have to be explained), you should not receive communion. I can remember as a kid that there would always be those who did not receive at Mass. Now everyone receives. There is definitely something wrong here.

Why don’t priests ever explain the requirements necessary to receive Communion? I think it’s because nothing is ever said that everyone assumes receiving the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ is no big deal.

I was received into the Church at a Catholic Student Center on a the campus of a Christian university of another denomination. We had A LOT of issues with people who were simply curious about Catholicism coming to Mass and receiving communion because they didn’t know any better. What our priest did was add an announcement, right before the beginning of Mass. An usher, or a cantor, or someone would say “Welcome to St. ___, please turn off all cell phones so as not to disturb the prayer of those around you, and please remember that to receive communion in the Catholic church, you must be a baptized Catholic who has received First Communion and be in a state of grace.” It had the pleasant side effect of seriously increasing the numbers of people asking for Reconciliation–Fr. added another day of the week for confessions.

I’ve heard similar announcements in large or historic churches that tend to get a lot of visitors. I’ve never heard a homily on it (which would be nice), but many places do explain the requirements regularly.

 

[baltobetsy]

This touches on something biiiiiig, for me at least. I don’t want to sound high-horsey, judgemental, or anything. However, it irks me to the core when I see people getting communion when I know their soul isn’t in a state of grace. And it isn’t above me being too nosey and digging, you just “know”.

Lets not forget that we are recieving the BODY and BLOOD of our Lord. Have some reverence. For the most part though… this isn’t something that Priests ever bring up, or something that is taught or highlighted. Which I guess isn’t the fault of the people. In my 3 years at my parish I have seen very small numbers go to confession. Either I live amongst saints or… And yet everybody takes communion. I guess in some ways its good, people hunger for the Eucharist! Their Catholic upbringing has let them down though.

No, you don’t just “know.” And even if you thought you did, Christian charity demands that you assume the best about people, their actions and their motives. To do otherwise opens up the possibility of the sin of rash judgement.

I am very tired of hearing about how many receive Communion and how few go to Confession. You don’t know that, either. If you were in my parish, you would see me (the cantor) receive Communion at almost every Mass I sing, but you would almost never see me go to Confession, because I go on another day, somewhere else, every couple of weeks. I have no idea what the other parishioners do, but the charitable thing is to assume they are taking care of it.

If we are truly concerned about people going to Confession, we can ask the priest to preach about it now and again. We can pray for the people - whoever they may be - who need to go to Confession. We can invite our family and friends to accompany us to Confession and tell them how happy it makes us to go. We can answer any questions that may come up with truth and clarity.

Betsy

 

[Newbie2]

This touches on something biiiiiig, for me at least. I don’t want to sound high-horsey, judgemental, or anything. However, it irks me to the core when I see people getting communion when I know their soul isn’t in a state of grace. And it isn’t above me being too nosey and digging, you just “know”.

Lets not forget that we are recieving the BODY and BLOOD of our Lord. Have some reverence. For the most part though… this isn’t something that Priests ever bring up, or something that is taught or highlighted. Which I guess isn’t the fault of the people. In my 3 years at my parish I have seen very small numbers go to confession. Either I live amongst saints or… And yet everybody takes communion. I guess in some ways its good, people hunger for the Eucharist! Their Catholic upbringing has let them down though.

Sorry, but this to me IS high-horsey and judgmental. You have no idea if a person may have sought Reconciliation at another parish, with another priest. You have no way of “just knowing”. And frankly, it’s none of your business, except if you would decide to ask your parish priest to give a homily on this topic.

 

[puzzleannie]

I Don’t you think that priests should say on a regular basis that only Catholics in good standing with the Church and in a state of grace should receive Communion, and the reason for this? Would that really destroy our PC sensibilities that much?

I think it was up to those priests at those masses you attended to make any announcement they saw fit, and the discern if anyone was receiving unworthily. Quite frankly that involves matter for confession which makes it beyong the competence of any layperson present. I can think of no spiritual benefit whatever to the average good practicing Catholic in the pew to speculate on the worthiness or disposition of others in the congregation.

 

[Malkin71]

No, you don’t just “know.” And even if you thought you did, Christian charity demands that you assume the best about people, their actions and their motives. To do otherwise opens up the possibility of the sin of rash judgement.

I am very tired of hearing about how many receive Communion and how few go to Confession. You don’t know that, either. If you were in my parish, you would see me (the cantor) receive Communion at almost every Mass I sing, but you would almost never see me go to Confession, because I go on another day, somewhere else, every couple of weeks. I have no idea what the other parishioners do, but the charitable thing is to assume they are taking care of it.

If we are truly concerned about people going to Confession, we can ask the priest to preach about it now and again. We can pray for the people - whoever they may be - who need to go to Confession. We can invite our family and friends to accompany us to Confession and tell them how happy it makes us to go. We can answer any questions that may come up with truth and clarity.

Betsy

If you come to my Parish just about everybody goes. The problem we have is Confession is after the weekday Communion service or on Saturday afternoon for a half hour. The only other way is asking Fr. to hear Confession after Sunday Mass. The problem is asking him after the 9:00 a.m. Mass then go 12 blocks to the 11:00 a.m. Mass to recieve communion. He won’t hear Confession before Mass. I go to the Oratory After work or to the Cathredral.

The fruits of Confession need to be spoken from the pulpit. There was a good point brought up about to remind everyone to recieve Holy Communionyou need to be in a state of Grace during the Announcements. I am going to bring that up with Fr. this Sunday. It is a way to plant the idea in the heads of the laity. It might have them ask Fr. what does the state of Grace mean?

 

[Brooklyn]

I think it was up to those priests at those masses you attended to make any announcement they saw fit, and the discern if anyone was receiving unworthily. Quite frankly that involves matter for confession which makes it beyong the competence of any layperson present. I can think of no spiritual benefit whatever to the average good practicing Catholic in the pew to speculate on the worthiness or disposition of others in the congregation.

I agree it is up to the priests to make an announcement, and that we aren’t to judge anyone else. But my problem is that we are talking about the Body and Blood of our Saviour, the one who hung on the cross for us, the one who created the world, the God of the Universe!!! Doesn’t it bother you that people take this so lightly as to not even think about whether they might be worthy or not? Doesn’t it bother you to see the irreverance with which our Lord is being treated? I’m not talking about judging people - I’m talking about showing reverence for the greatest gift in the universe - the actual Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of our Lord!! It amazes me that so few people are bothered by the fact that this is taken so lightly. To give this most precious gift, a gift beyond our imagining, to someone who has so little understanding and reverence for it as to not care whether they have done what he has asked, which is to examine ourselves and determine whether we are in a worthy state, is no better than if we just took the consecrated hosts and stepped on them, smashing them into the dirt. In fact, receiving in a state of sin, forcing the Great God of Love to be a part of someone who is in such defiance, is actually a worse sacrilege.

Please stop all this “don’t judge” nonsense, and think about what you are saying! Think about what we are discussing here. This is not just a Protestant service where people pass bread and wine around. We are talking about the actual Lord of the Universe, the one who walked the hills of Calvary, the one who created us. This is not just a symbol - this is the real deal.

 

[Malkin71]

I agree it is up to the priests to make an announcement, and that we aren’t to judge anyone else. But my problem is that we are talking about the Body and Blood of our Saviour, the one who hung on the cross for us, the one who created the world, the God of the Universe!!! Doesn’t it bother you that people take this so lightly as to not even think about whether they might be worthy or not? Doesn’t it bother you to see the irreverance with which our Lord is being treated? I’m not talking about judging people - I’m talking about showing reverence for the greatest gift in the universe - the actual Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of our Lord!! It amazes me that so few people are bothered by the fact that this is taken so lightly. To give this most precious gift, a gift beyond our imagining, to someone who has so little understanding and reverence for it as to not care whether they have done what he has asked, which is to examine ourselves and determine whether we are in a worthy state, is no better than if we just took the consecrated hosts and stepped on them, smashing them into the dirt. In fact, receiving in a state of sin, forcing the Great God of Love to be a part of someone who is in such defiance, is actually a worse sacrilege.

Please stop all this “don’t judge” nonsense, and think about what you are saying! Think about what we are discussing here. This is not just a Protestant service where people pass bread and wine around. We are talking about the actual Lord of the Universe, the one who walked the hills of Calvary, the one who created us. This is not just a symbol - this is the real deal.

You are correct!

 

[puzzleannie]

I agree it is up to the priests to make an announcement, and that we aren’t to judge anyone else. But my problem is that we are talking about the Body and Blood of our Saviour, the one who hung on the cross for us, the one who created the world, the God of the Universe!!! Doesn’t it bother you that people take this so lightly as to not even think about whether they might be worthy or not? .

yes of course it does, but my own sins bother me a lot more. I am not the priest, if you have a beef with the priest in question, talk to him. Unless you have knowledge of souls as Padre Pio did you do not know anything whatever about the condition of the soul of persons you observe receiving communion. Every moment I spend thinking about another person’s sins and failing, especially at the moment I should be focusing on my own communion, is a victory of the Enemy because it detracts from my worship of the Lord in this sacrament, and makes me assume the rule of judge, which my Lord warned me not to do.

 

[Cathryn]

Don’t you think that priests should say on a regular basis that only Catholics in good standing with the Church and in a state of grace should receive Communion, and the reason for this? Would that really destroy our PC sensibilities that much?

My pastor makes this anouncement at all funerals and weddings.

 

[Brooklyn]

yes of course it does, but my own sins bother me a lot more. I am not the priest, if you have a beef with the priest in question, talk to him. Unless you have knowledge of souls as Padre Pio did you do not know anything whatever about the condition of the soul of persons you observe receiving communion. Every moment I spend thinking about another person’s sins and failing, especially at the moment I should be focusing on my own communion, is a victory of the Enemy because it detracts from my worship of the Lord in this sacrament, and makes me assume the rule of judge, which my Lord warned me not to do.

Why is it a problem for priests to emphasize the fact that we are talking about the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, and that people should approach this with the utmost reverence, and only after a thorough self examination, just as the Apostle Paul told us to do? He said that if we don’t receive worthily, we are eating and drinking damnation to ourselves. Don’t you think this is an important matter? I’m not thinking about other people’s sins, per se. I am think about the sacrilege being committed against our Lord, and I am thinking about the fact that people may be damning themselves.

I think this needs to be shouted from every Catholic pulpit in the land, and to just say, well, I can’t worry about anything else, I just have to worry about myself, I think is a very selfish thing to say.

I was at a Mass one time when a mentally disturbed young man ran up to the altar and ate a handful of consecrated hosts. He, of course, was not cupable because he didn’t understand. Still, to see our Lord treated in such a manner literally brought tears to my eyes. To see people receive him with no thought as to what it means is a sacrilege beyond words. I don’t see how it cannot affect you and how you cannot be more concerned about it, instead of just pushing it off as someone else’s problem.

 

[Agape_Thom]

I believe this post will be on topic, but may take a slightly different direction. I am not a “non-practicing Catholic”. I am a former Catholic. Let me state that there are a number of reasons for this condition, none of which need to be addressed in this post. I am a Christian. I also admit that the foundation of my faith was laid down by the good nuns and priests I had through 12 years of parochial school.
Now the part that is germaine to this thread.
A number of years ago the young teen-aged son of friends was killed in a motorcycle accident. We arrived at their house, along with many others, shortly after the accident. Among those present was the parish priest of the family. He was a man a few years younger than myself. At one point we found ourselves alone on the back stoop of the house engaged in conversation. I related to him, briefly, my spiritual journey, giving him some of the details and my reasons for leaving the Catholic Church. I told him, honestly, that although I disagreed with some of the teachings of the Catholic Church, I held no animosity toward it or any of its members. Indeed, many of my best friends are practicing Catholics. I did tell this priest that the one thing that bothered me about my departure from the Catholic Church was that I was no longer welcome at the Communion table. I explained that although my view of Communion was not the same as the Catholic teaching, I still found the Lord’s Supper to be very meaningful and a means of God’s grace.
Imagine my surprise when this young priest placed his hand on my shoulder and told me that at the funeral Mass in a few days, at Communion time, I should come to him and he would serve me Communion! In light of the Catholic Church’s teaching on the subject, I asked him how this was possible. His explanation was that it was important for Christian brothers and sisters to feel at home with each other and that this action would facilitate that.
Now, having read these forum messages for over a year, I know that most of you will probably jump all over this priest and condem his action. So be it. I fully expect that. But let me just say that taking Communion that day was special for me, almost healing in nature, helping me to remember that although, officially the catholic Church and i may have our differences, I still have brothers and sisters within it.

 

[NewsTheMan]

No, you don’t just “know.” And even if you thought you did, Christian charity demands that you assume the best about people, their actions and their motives. To do otherwise opens up the possibility of the sin of rash judgement.

I am very tired of hearing about how many receive Communion and how few go to Confession. You don’t know that, either. If you were in my parish, you would see me (the cantor) receive Communion at almost every Mass I sing, but you would almost never see me go to Confession, because I go on another day, somewhere else, every couple of weeks. I have no idea what the other parishioners do, but the charitable thing is to assume they are taking care of it.

If we are truly concerned about people going to Confession, we can ask the priest to preach about it now and again. We can pray for the people - whoever they may be - who need to go to Confession. We can invite our family and friends to accompany us to Confession and tell them how happy it makes us to go. We can answer any questions that may come up with truth and clarity.

Betsy

Yes, you can just know. Think about when a close friend or relative possibly gets involved with the wrong person. You just have a feeling - but for all you know they are actually really wonderful people. But usually you are right. Almost the same kinda thing.

In any case, everyone keeps going on about how they might be going to a different parish to confess etc. Well, not in my case. Here, confession is either 30 minutes before mass or by appointment. And we are the only Parish within about 2 hours drive. And I hardly ever see anybody before mass. And by appointment - yeah, right, you telling me everybody else just makes an appointment? They care that much that they’d rather make an appointment than just easily go before mass? Sorry, and this will sound un-PC, but that just isn’t the truth. People just do not go to confession. If they did we wouldnt be on this thread would we.

The charitable thing might be to assume they do go to confession, sure. But if its clear that they do not, then the correct thing to do is to make a deal out of it. Charitable goes out the window for me if our Lord is being recieved when he shouldnt be. I am more tired of people not having confessed in over ten years - a reality - and yet still getting communion. More tired than you are of people who rightfully complain that its happening.

I agree with your last paragraph though. One hundred percent. But the simple fact is that we are told to admonish those who sin. And I will keep telling people they can’t take our Lord until they confess. Until there is a teaching that says I should do otherwise. Too many people take it so lightly, or say things like “be concerned for your own soul instead of looking at others”. Rubbish. Jesus didn’t preach that we should just turn a blind eye. He came to divide, remember. I am not saying one should jump up and shout in the pews or have a boxing match with someone over it. But charitably and nicely tell them that the teaching is that unless you are in a state of grace you should not recieve communion. And in the meantime sure pray for people, set an example.

 

[doanli]

I agree it is up to the priests to make an announcement, and that we aren’t to judge anyone else. But my problem is that we are talking about the Body and Blood of our Saviour, the one who hung on the cross for us, the one who created the world, the God of the Universe!!! Doesn’t it bother you that people take this so lightly as to not even think about whether they might be worthy or not? Doesn’t it bother you to see the irreverance with which our Lord is being treated? I’m not talking about judging people - I’m talking about showing reverence for the greatest gift in the universe - the actual Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of our Lord!! It amazes me that so few people are bothered by the fact that this is taken so lightly. To give this most precious gift, a gift beyond our imagining, to someone who has so little understanding and reverence for it as to not care whether they have done what he has asked, which is to examine ourselves and determine whether we are in a worthy state, is no better than if we just took the consecrated hosts and stepped on them, smashing them into the dirt. In fact, receiving in a state of sin, forcing the Great God of Love to be a part of someone who is in such defiance, is actually a worse sacrilege.

Please stop all this “don’t judge” nonsense, and think about what you are saying! Think about what we are discussing here. This is not just a Protestant service where people pass bread and wine around. We are talking about the actual Lord of the Universe, the one who walked the hills of Calvary, the one who created us. This is not just a symbol - this is the real deal.

Amen to what you said.