Participating in Eucharist

[osc]

I was married in the Catholic church because our whole family was Catholic. In College, my husband and I both had a full what protestants call “born again experience” My relationship grew with the Lord. AS a cradle catholic my relationship with Jesus was more historical. I believed in him but there was no prayer life, bible study etc. Most of my catholic friends did not have a bible or go to church. So, I resent the one person’s comment that I was no longer in fellowship with God. If anything, our whole life has been about serving God and doing for others. Jesus Christ is Lord of our lives! I have continued to go occassionally to mass because we have many family members that are Catholic.

 

[benedictgal]

I was married in the Catholic church because our whole family was Catholic. In College, my husband and I both had a full what protestants call “born again experience” My relationship grew with the Lord. AS a cradle catholic my relationship with Jesus was more historical. I believed in him but there was no prayer life, bible study etc. Most of my catholic friends did not have a bible or go to church. So, I resent the one person’s comment that I was no longer in fellowship with God. If anything, our whole life has been about serving God and doing for others. Jesus Christ is Lord of our lives! I have continued to go occassionally to mass because we have many family members that are Catholic.

However, it’s not about “me and Jesus in a corner.” Jesus established His Church, the One, True, Holy, Apostolic and Catholic Church, as the means of salvation, with St. Peter and his successors as the head. What you did, as I read your posts, is to formally reject the Church by going off to a Protestant ecclesial community.

You cannot blame the Church concerning your “relationship with Jesus”. A good deal of it involves learning and studying on our part. It takes two people to have a relationship. If you do not bother to learn anything more about the Church, then, you are partly to blame. The Church is the Body of Christ, with Christ as its Head.

Because of your present situation, I do not think it is possible for you to receive Holy Communion because you need to go to confession and have a firm purpose of amendment. You cannot be straddling both sides of the fence. Either you are Catholic or you choose to reject the Church. You cannot have it both ways.

 

[archangel04]

However, it’s not about “me and Jesus in a corner.” Jesus established His Church, the One, True, Holy, Apostolic and Catholic Church, as the means of salvation, with St. Peter and his successors as the head. What you did, as I read your posts, is to formally reject the Church by going off to a Protestant ecclesial community.

You cannot blame the Church concerning your “relationship with Jesus”. A good deal of it involves learning and studying on our part. It takes two people to have a relationship. If you do not bother to learn anything more about the Church, then, you are partly to blame. The Church is the Body of Christ, with Christ as its Head.

Because of your present situation, I do not think it is possible for you to receive Holy Communion because you need to go to confession and have a firm purpose of amendment. You cannot be straddling both sides of the fence. Either you are Catholic or you choose to reject the Church. You cannot have it both ways.

I agree. The Lord may be in her life, but not fully, when she CHOOSEs not to paticipate in the One True Faith.

 

[PJM]

=chrisa7;6378848]I hope that I am posting this in the correct forum. I am Protestant, but attend a Catholic Church because my wife is Catholic. It did not matter much when we were first married (10 years ago), but has caused some issues over the last year and a half as I have become more religious. I started reading a book about the Catholic Faith to try to get a better understanding of what it teaches. One of the things that it mentioned is that non-Catholics are not suppose to participate in the sacraments. I never realized this. This is upsetting to me because I want to participate in the Eucharist. I dont know what to do. What if I decide to participate anyway? Am I sinning against God, disrespecting the church, causing the Priest to sin? Any help would be appreciated.

Thank you,
Christ

Knowing what you do; it could well be a serious sin against God, His Church and it would seem your conscience?

I pray that you will not do it.

Love and prayers,
Pat

 

[ProVobis]

Like you, I am a non-Catholic with a Catholic wife. I attend mass with my wife every Sunday and I do not receive communion.

Good for you. You’ve earned my respect. Your wife is lucky to have you.

 

[rick43235]

Good for you. You’ve earned my respect. Your wife is lucky to have you.

Believe me when I tell you, I’m the lucky one.

 

[BC1125]

I too am a non-denominational christian (for over 30 years) by choice. I have been receiving the the Holy Eucharist weekly for over three years. My husband is catholic, and I by association of “joining a denomination” am not. I went to mass with my husband for over a year without receiving the Eucharist, chose to go through RCIA for purposes of a greater understanding of the catholic church, not for joining a denomination. I then met privately with the deacon of our parish to explain my concerns about receiving the Eucharist without joining the a denomination, he welcomed me but told me I would also have to talk to the priest. I then met with our priest and I express the same concerns to him and what my beliefs were regarding the Eucharist. He granted me permission to receive the Eucharist at any mass I attend. I understand that not everyone feels the same as I do or even understands, but it is God who judges and knows the individual persons heart and not just the outward appearance of their obligations and actions.

 

[mswood]

I too am a non-denominational christian (for over 30 years) by choice. I have been receiving the the Holy Eucharist weekly for over three years. My husband is catholic, and I by association of “joining a denomination” am not. I went to mass with my husband for over a year without receiving the Eucharist, chose to go through RCIA for purposes of a greater understanding of the catholic church, not for joining a denomination. I then met privately with the deacon of our parish to explain my concerns about receiving the Eucharist without joining the a denomination, he welcomed me but told me I would also have to talk to the priest. I then met with our priest and I express the same concerns to him and what my beliefs were regarding the Eucharist. He granted me permission to receive the Eucharist at any mass I attend. I understand that not everyone feels the same as I do or even understands, but it is God who judges and knows the individual persons heart and not just the outward appearance of their obligations and actions.

I am sure someone with more knowledge will correct me if I am wrong, but I don’t think your priest has the authority to allow you to receive communion if you are not in full Communion with the Catholic church.

I also don’t view the Catholic church as just a denomenation (like Baptist, Methodist, etc…) …it is THE Church, the Universal Church.

 

[Sherry_G]

I too am a non-denominational christian (for over 30 years) by choice. I have been receiving the the Holy Eucharist weekly for over three years. My husband is catholic, and I by association of “joining a denomination” am not. I went to mass with my husband for over a year without receiving the Eucharist, chose to go through RCIA for purposes of a greater understanding of the catholic church, not for joining a denomination. I then met privately with the deacon of our parish to explain my concerns about receiving the Eucharist without joining the a denomination, he welcomed me but told me I would also have to talk to the priest. I then met with our priest and I express the same concerns to him and what my beliefs were regarding the Eucharist. He granted me permission to receive the Eucharist at any mass I attend. I understand that not everyone feels the same as I do or even understands, but it is God who judges and knows the individual persons heart and not just the outward appearance of their obligations and actions.

There are unfortunately some priests and deacons who are not following the teachings of the Catholic Church. You are committing a grave sin in your actions but your priest is even worse. May God have mercy on your soul. As for the priest and deacon, they should be removed.

 

[PJM]

=Sherry G;6435292]There are unfortunately some priests and deacons who are not following the teachings of the Catholic Church. You are committing a grave sin in your actions but your priest is even worse. May God have mercy on your soul. As for the priest and deacon, they should be removed.

The non-catholic received “vaid permission” and therefore is NOT SINNING AT ALL. However the priest and deacon are both wrong and the guilt is entirely theres.

The non-Catholic ought NOT to continue to receive Catholic Holy Communion; doing so now; while being aware of this fact would make the act sinful.

Catechism: 1417 The Church warmly recommends that **the faithful receive **Holy Communion when they participate in the celebration of the Eucharist; she obliges them to do so at least once a year.

Catechism: 1457 According to the Church’s command, “after having attained the age of discretion, each of the faithful is bound by an obligation faithfully to confess serious sins at least once a year.” Anyone who is aware of having committed a mortal sin must not receive Holy Communion, even if he experiences deep contrition, without having first received sacramental absolution, unless he has a grave reason for receiving Communion and there is no possibility of going to confession. Children must go to the sacrament of Penance before receiving Holy Communion for the first time

1327 In brief, the Eucharist is the sum and summary of our faith: “Our way of thinking is attuned to the Eucharist, and the Eucharist in turn confirms our way of thinking.”

**1322 **The holy Eucharist completes[Catholic] Christian initiation. Those who have been raised to the dignity of the royal priesthood by **Baptism **and configured more deeply to Christ by Confirmation participate with the whole community in the Lord’s own sacrifice by means of the Eucharist.

This is saying these other two Sacraments are absolutely necessary before one can or should receive Catholic Holy Communion.

Love and prayers,
Pat