Not receiving communion?

[km112482]

alex_noel:

At Mass I notice quite a few people getting a blessing instead of communion. What are the reasons for them not receiving communion?

Are they re-married or something or are they in mortal sin and haven’t had a chance to go to confession?

If they are in mortal sin, why don’t they get it sorted and go to confession then?

I do not think it is any of our business as to why people go for a blessing rather than recieve the Eucharist. We are all son’s and daughters of God. We do not know what other peoples situations. Did not Jesus say that dont take the splinter out of your brother’s eye without takeing the giant beam out of your own. I am not trying to be mean. I just dont like when people judge others. I mean I know many people who will say oh so and so knows she shouldnt be recieving communion. We dont know what that person is doing or what is in their heart. That is between them and God. I also would rather see people go get the blessing if they are not able to recieve the sacrament rather than go to communion with mortal sin on their soul.

Kerri

 

[otm]

Sir Knight:

As I grow in my spiritual journey, I see myself more & more as being unworthy to come into the Lord’s presence. This belief has been re-enforced by various private revelations which I have read (and which HAVE BEEN approved by the church) where Jesus reveals how much it pains Him to be received by an unworthy soul.

I, therefore, usually receive communion only if I’ve had the opportunity to go to confession just prior to Mass. Or, at most, the previous day. Anything beyond that, and I am reminded of the scripture passage that even an upright and holy man sins seven times against God in a single day. If an upright & holy man can sin seven times against God, I don’t even want to specualte how many times I have offended our Lord in a single day and if more than a day has passed between confession and communion, I feel I have too many sins on my soul to worthily receive our Lord.

For these reasons, you’ll see me sitting in the pews more often than walking up to the altar.

Pope PiusX had much to say about this, as he was attempting to overcome several centuries of Jansenism, which promoted the idea that people were so unworthy that they should not be receiving the Sacraments (Eucharist included, and as their primary focus).

It is not possible from your post to determine whether you labor under particular issues that may result in repetitive mortal sin. However, it odes sound as if you should speak to a good confessor, as it sounds like issues of scrupulosity and borderline Jansenism.

None of us are worthy. But we do not receive because of our worthiness, but because this is the Gift that Christ gave us to strengthen us in our journey towards Heaven. Obviously Paul’s admonition of receiving unworthily (in a state of mortal sin) needs to be followed; he didn’t mince words about condemnation. But if the issue is not a clearly defined mortal sin, but rather an emphasis on unworthiness, please seek help. We all fall short. The Eucharist is there to strengthen us, not as something to be avoided.

 

[km112482]

otm:

Pope PiusX had much to say about this, as he was attempting to overcome several centuries of Jansenism, which promoted the idea that people were so unworthy that they should not be receiving the Sacraments (Eucharist included, and as their primary focus).

It is not possible from your post to determine whether you labor under particular issues that may result in repetitive mortal sin. However, it odes sound as if you should speak to a good confessor, as it sounds like issues of scrupulosity and borderline Jansenism.

None of us are worthy. But we do not receive because of our worthiness, but because this is the Gift that Christ gave us to strengthen us in our journey towards Heaven. Obviously Paul’s admonition of receiving unworthily (in a state of mortal sin) needs to be followed; he didn’t mince words about condemnation. But if the issue is not a clearly defined mortal sin, but rather an emphasis on unworthiness, please seek help. We all fall short. The Eucharist is there to strengthen us, not as something to be avoided.

I agree. Do we not say before communion, Lord I am not worthy to recieve you but only say the word and I shall be healed which is a phrase taken from the bible Matthew 8:8 when the centurion tells Jessus Lord, I am not worthy toh ave you enter under my roof; only say the word and my servant will be healed.

None of us or perfect, and if the case is you have mortal sin on your sould then I can see why you do not go without confession, but if you feel so strongley about this then go to confession every week that way you will feel more worthy of going to communion.

 

[Paris_Blues]

That’s what I do…I just started going up to get a blessing. I’m in RCIA and wont be recieved into the Church until next year, bummer. So that means I have to get blessings for the next year and couple months or so! Oh boy!

Speaking of blessings, what’s the point of them and what do they do since you can’t recieve the Body and Blood? Is the blessing like a spiritual communion?

 

[Teresita]

I had to ask for the blessing when I was going through RCIA: my youngest son, who sometimes comes with me rather than with my husband, isn’t a Catholic, so goes up for a blessing - there are all sorts of reasons. I didn’t know it was non-liturgical until very recently, so wasn’t bothered.

As for only going when you’ve just been to Confession: there were daily communicants before St Pius X (though admittedly not nearly so many - see newadvent.org/cathen/06278a.htm), and after his encouragement, many, many devout Catholics were such. What would happen, I gather, would be that one went to Confession once a week, and one’s confessor would give permission to go to daily Communion (Newman has something on this somewhere, but I can’t quickly find it).

I think, therefore, Sir Knight, you’re definitely being over-scrupulous. Oh yes, we’re mired deep in sin: but unless the sin is mortal (and if you’re semi-permanently in mortal sin, you need to discuss that with your confessor!) you are actually encouraged to receive our Blessed Lord at Mass, because the Blessed Sacrament is not only food, it unites us more intimately with His sacrifice for sin, and we can avail ourselves of His power to forgive and atone.

Sue

 

[maryprayforme]

Paris Blues:

Speaking of blessings, what’s the point of them and what do they do since you can’t recieve the Body and Blood? Is the blessing like a spiritual communion?

+JMJ+

The blessing is not the same as a Spiritual Communion. A Spiritual Communion is where you know (for whatever reason) you are not able to receive the Eucharist and yet you express your desire to receive Our Lord spiritually. It is "an ardent desire to receive Jesus in the Most Holy Sacrament and in lovingly embracing Him." *[Saint Thomas Aquinas]. *We humbly with contrition ask the Lord to enter us as He would in the Sacrament, either informally in your own words or using a traditonal prayer for this purpose (included below). We can do this as often as we like, even if we have already received Him in the Sacrament that day. The actual Sacrament is obviously better and cannot be substituted. However, you can receive tremendous value by making this act of love towards our Lord. As an RCIA candidate, I strongly encourage you to consider this, perhaps as you approach for your blessing, and then maybe a thnksgiving prayer after or vice-versa.

Here are some samples of Spiritual Communion Prayers and comments that I have from a photocopied sheet that was folded in my grandfather’s missal where the pages of Eucharsitic Adoration adn Visits to the Blessed Sacrament are. There is no source listed.

Act of Spiritual Communion
As I cannot this day enjoy the happiness of assisting at the holy Mysteries, O my God! I transport myself in spirit at the foot of Thine altar; I unite with the Church, which by the hands of the priest, offers Thee Thine adorable Son in the Holy Sacrifice; I offer myself with Him, by Him, and in His Name. I adore, I praise, and thank Thee, imploring Thy mercy, invoking Thine assistance, and presenting Thee the homage I owe Thee as my Creator, the love due to Thee as my Savior.

Apply to my soul, I beseech Thee, O merciful Jesus, Thine infinite merits; apply them also to those for whom I particularly wish to pray. I desire to communicate spiritually, that Thy Blood may purify, Thy Flesh strengthen, and Thy Spirit sanctify me. May I never forget that Thou, my divine Redeemer, hast died for me; may I die to all that is not Thee, that hereafter I may live eternally with Thee. Amen.

Act of Spiritual Communion
O Immaculate Queen of Heaven and Earth, Mother of God and Mediatrix of every grace: I believe that Thy dearly beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, is truly, really, and substantially contained in the Most Blessed Sacrament. I love Him above all things and I long to receive Him into my heart. Since I cannot now receive Him sacramentally, be so good as to place Him spiritually in my soul.

O my Jesus, I embrace Thee as One who has already come, and I unite myself entirely to Thee. Never permit me to be separated from Thee. Amen.

Act of Spiritual Communion by St. Alphonsus Liguori (A.D. 1696-1787)
My Jesus, I believe that Thou art present in the Blessed Sacrament. I love Thee above all things and I desire Thee in my soul. Since I cannot now receive Thee sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. As though thou wert already there, I embrace Thee and unite myself wholly to Thee; permit not that I should ever be separated from Thee.

I know that EWTN uses the St. Alphonsus prayer. I hope this helps you and may God bless you on your RCIA journey.