People who don't receive communion during mass

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pure_angel said:
Just wondering, why do some people not want to receive communion during mass?
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There are many reasons why people don’t up. Common ones include that their not Catholic (notably those in RCIA), they’re waiting for a convalidition, or there is a private reason. Personally, I don’t even bother thinking about why others don’t go up. It’s none of anyone’s business, except maybe the priest’s.
 
I went to Mass with my friend because she was away from the church for so long and wanted to go back but was a little anxious about it, so I went with her in support and ease her anxiety. I am not Catholic but she is neither of us received communion, me because i’m not Catholic, her because she hadn’t been to confession in a long time. I think there are a lot of reasons why people don’t receive.
 
tee_eff_em said:
When is the second time…?

tee
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I was wondering the exact same thing.:confused:

To the OP, receiving Holy Communion at every Mass you attend is a great idea, but is not in any way required. There are a thousand reasons one may choose not to receive at any particular Mass. Perhaps someone is in or believes himself to be in a state of mortal sin. Perhaps someone does not feel properly disposed to receive. For example, they may have let their mind wander during Mass thinking about how much they would love to strangle the person who cut them off in traffic on the way to Mass. Maybe they had some impure thoughts or maybe just doesn’t feel worthy on that day. Perhaps he is old school and believes that confession goes hand in hand with Holy Communion and he has not confessed. Etc etc etc.

While I applaud your intentions and concern for you Dad, we as humans have unique and very personal relatuionships with God, that others may have a hard time understanding…
 
As someone who hasn’t received communion for a little bit (private reason), there are many reasons people do not receive communion.

It is not that I do not want to receive, but that I should not receive as I am in mortal sin. Until I have the opportunity to go to confession, I cannot receive the Holy Eucharist. And believe me, I am working on getting to the point when I will receive Christ in the Eucharist again, but that is between God and me.

But as stated above, there are many reasons why people do not receive communion. I have an uncle who, as far as I can tell, has not received communion for a long time. Why? I haven’t asked because I believe that is between him and God.
 
Looking at some of the posts, I think we should keep in mind that you don’t NEED to receive Communion when you go to Mass. In fact, I think the priest has the option to skip Communion of the faithful for whatever pastoral reason he might have.

Just because someone isn’t receiving doesn’t mean he hasn’t been to Confession, or he hasn’t done the appropriate 1 hour fast, or they aren’t Catholic, etc. They can be in a state of grace, be totally disposed to receive and still choose not to. I actually read somewhere that some used to deny themselves communion, even if they could receive, as a form of penance

I think the only thing you need to worry and to ask would be if he has been going to Confession, if he says yes, then let it be.
 
You are supposed to try not to notice when someone does not go to Communion. Obviously, sometimes you can’t help but notice, but you should try not ever to ponder why any individual does not go.

I know some people who were not Catholic but went to Mass, and they were pushed further away from joining because people kept looking at them when they didn’t receive, and they felt the people were judging them and speculating as to why they didn’t go.

Others have said that they have received Communion unworthily because they were so uncomfortable with people noticing whether they went.

By all means, pray for your father. But you shouldn’t do anything to indicate that you have been keeping track of whether he goes to Communion or not. As for Confession, why don’t you say something like, “I’m going to Confession [now/this Saturday/whenever]. Would you like to come with me?” Other than that, I would stick to prayer.

–Jen
 
I too have personal reasons why I cannot receive communion even though I desire it so very badly when I go to Mass. I also do not attend Mass regularly, that for which I feel ashamed. Personal reasons also… It’s not that I disagree with the Church or anything like that as I believe whole heartedly in what the Church teaches. I also noticed growing up, that my father did not receive communion, but never questioned why, I’ve wondered but all speculation. I personally have to get things straightened out before I can receive communion again. 😦
 
revert_jen said:
As for Confession, why don’t you say something like, “I’m going to Confession [now/this Saturday/whenever]. Would you like to come with me?” Other than that, I would stick to prayer.

–Jen
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Thank you all so much for posting! From reading some of the posts I will definitely not buy that book by Perry Stone (now knowing that he is not a Catholic). Next time I will double check and see if the author is Catholic or not. And I came up with a gift for my dad: organic, fair trade coffee (he likes to drink coffee). It was kind of hard because my dad has everything (almost everything).

I will try the suggestion above and if he says “no” then I’ll leave it at that. And know that he has his own personal relationship with God just like everyone else does. I will continue praying for him too. And thank you all for offering your prayers.

Regarding books. I do have a few books in mind to buy for myself though. Please let me know if any of these authors are Catholic or not. I don’t want to receive the wrong message.

A Mirror of Shalott by Robert Hugh Benson
amazon.com/Islam-At-The-Gates-Christendom/dp/1933184256/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_S_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=3T1A84H599N56&coliid=IYT8A6YQUIQXZ

Seven Lies About Catholic History by Diane Moczar
amazon.com/Seven-Lies-About-Catholic-History/dp/0895559064/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=3T1A84H599N56&coliid=I2FS4XRQZOR2DR

Islam at the Gates: How the Christendom Defeated the Ottoman Turks
amazon.com/Mirror-Shalott-Robert-Hugh-Benson/dp/0972982183/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_S_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=3T1A84H599N56&coliid=I3TNUTNW23X619

😃
 
mab23 said:
I agree with Francie

maybe you could point out the Catholics are required to receive the Eucharist at least twice a year and that you plan on going to confess on so and so time and if he would like to join you…

don’t be too abrasive or it could make it awkard
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Catholics are only required to receive communion once a year, during the Easter season, and only if they are in the state of sanctifying grace.

To the OP: It’s your dad’s business on whether or not he wants to receive communion. Maybe he has good reason for not doing so that he doesn’t wish to make known.
 
I take communion, not for myself but for my dear mother, father and brother who have passed to be with The Lord. I sin but I take it for my relatives. Mass is for them, my Eucharistic ministry is for them.

Even if I were divorced I would still take communion but offer it up for my dear relatives.
 
koolpc said:
I take communion, not for myself but for my dear mother, father and brother who have passed to be with The Lord. I sin but I take it for my relatives. Mass is for them, my Eucharistic ministry is for them.

Even if I were divorced I would still take communion but offer it up for my dear relatives.
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If you’re in the state of mortal sin, you’re still committing a sacrilege. Please stop doing this, if such is the case.
 
revert_jen said:
Others have said that they have received Communion unworthily because they were so uncomfortable with people noticing whether they went.
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I used to feel this way and, to be honest, would receive Communion even though I wasn’t worthy of doing so (have since confessed that and no longer do it). But in an area like mine, it’s easy to notice when someone doesn’t go to communion. But despite my reservations with not going to communion because of people noticing it, I have just learned to ignore it and focus instead on my prayers during that time.

I know one day, by God’s grace and mercy, I’ll be able to receive communion worthily soon. 🙂
 
pure_angel said:
Thank you all so much for posting! From reading some of the posts I will definitely not buy that book by Perry Stone (now knowing that he is not a Catholic). Next time I will double check and see if the author is Catholic or not. And I came up with a gift for my dad: organic, fair trade coffee (he likes to drink coffee). It was kind of hard because my dad has everything (almost everything).

I will try the suggestion above and if he says “no” then I’ll leave it at that. And know that he has his own personal relationship with God just like everyone else does. I will continue praying for him too. And thank you all for offering your prayers.

Regarding books. I do have a few books in mind to buy for myself though. Please let me know if any of these authors are Catholic or not. I don’t want to receive the wrong message.

A Mirror of Shalott by Robert Hugh Benson
amazon.com/Islam-At-The-Gates-Christendom/dp/1933184256/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_S_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=3T1A84H599N56&coliid=IYT8A6YQUIQXZ

Seven Lies About Catholic History by Diane Moczar
amazon.com/Seven-Lies-About-Catholic-History/dp/0895559064/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=3T1A84H599N56&coliid=I2FS4XRQZOR2DR

Islam at the Gates: How the Christendom Defeated the Ottoman Turks
amazon.com/Mirror-Shalott-Robert-Hugh-Benson/dp/0972982183/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_S_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=3T1A84H599N56&coliid=I3TNUTNW23X619

😃
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I don’t know if those authors are Catholic or not, but an author I would suggest is Peter Kreeft, a Catholic philosopher. His books are very easy to read and very informative. I plan on asking for some of his books for Christmas 🙂
 
pure_angel said:
And I came up with a gift for my dad: organic, fair trade coffee (he likes to drink coffee). It was kind of hard because my dad has everything (almost everything).

I will try the suggestion above and if he says “no” then I’ll leave it at that. And know that he has his own personal relationship with God just like everyone else does. I will continue praying for him too. And thank you all for offering your prayers.

😃
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That is very thoughtful and kind.
God bless you and you Dad!
 
mab23 said:
I agree with Francie

maybe you could point out the Catholics are required to receive the Eucharist at least twice a year and that you plan on going to confess on so and so time and if he would like to join you…

don’t be too abrasive or it could make it awkard
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Catholics are usually required to confess and recieve communion once a year ‘at Easter or thereabouts’
 
I am glad that you are concerned about your fathers spirit and happiness. Many people who sin do not feel worthy of taking the eucharist. Many others who do not sin on a regular basis still do not feel worthy, but it wouldn’t hurt to just ask your father why he doesn’t participate in the eucharist. In the meantime continue to pray for him and know that the bible already tells us that the purpose of receiving the eucharist is to remember Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and for our cleansing. He also tells us that if we have a problem with someone else, if we hold bitterness, resentment, anger, etc. towards another we have to make peace with that person before receiving the eucharist. I am somewhat similar to your dad in that I attend catholic church but I do not participate in the penance aspect of it simply because no one except Jesus himself can absolve me of my sins. I can forgive someone for hurting me personally but for ALL of my sins I feel I must go before Jesus himself and ask for forgiveness. Sorry if this angers anyone on the panel.
 
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