Protestant receiving Communion?

[Nelka]

Hello, I will be going away for a weekend soon for work (I am a support worker), there will be a Protestant employee and two people with learning difficulties who are both Protestant.

I will be attending Mass, one of the service users went with me before, no problem but I feel the Protestant employee (former Catholic) may go up for Communion and maybe the other service user too.

What am I suppose to say and do in regards to Communion? How do I say to the employee that they shouldn’t receive and harder still to the service user who would not understand anyway?

Our service users in my opinion do not understand or even know the differences between Catholic and Protestant.

Thanks.

 

[z_0101]

In the USA many churches have the missalette in the pew, in the front of the missalette there usually is a short explanation about who can and cannot receive. This is where I would lead your “service” users. This takes the “bear” from your shoulders and places it squarely on theirs.

 

[ichabode]

What am I suppose to say and do in regards to Communion? How do I say to the employee that they shouldn’t receive and harder still to the service user who would not understand anyway?

You are an adult. You should simply tell them before entering the Church what the custom is for receiving the Eucharist. Let them also know that it is customary for them to follow the communion line and cross themselves to inform the Eucharistic minister that they are not to receive, and this is for Catholic’s and visitors alike. I used to tell them they can sit in the pew, but they are making pews smaller these days and having people climb over them is unsettling.

It is also customary to explain a bit of the mass beforehand as to what is going on, and a good reason for this is they might find it “cold” or “off putting” because of a lack of love bonding. This is because the Mass and an average evangelical service are quite different. You might let them know it is similar in structure to Lutheran or Anglican services, so that can know what to expect.

Always let them know how wonderful it was for them to attend with you, and that the door to the Church is always open, and if they like they can inquire further about what the Church teaches through special bible study like programs such as RCIA.

 

[Elizium23]

You are an adult. You should simply tell them before entering the Church what the custom is for receiving the Eucharist. Let them also know that it is customary for them to follow the communion line and cross themselves to inform the Eucharistic minister that they are not to receive, and this is for Catholic’s and visitors alike. I used to tell them they can sit in the pew, but they are making pews smaller these days and having people climb over them is unsettling.

I think you mean Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion. And frankly it is better for everyone if non-communicants just stay in their pew. EMHCs are actually incapable of bestowing blessings during Mass.

 

[mlz]

Communion can be difficult to understand as a Protestant. You must only ask that they respect the Catholic Church and let them know that yes although the Catholic Church respects them as brothers and sisters in Christ, then rephrase or tell them basically what is written in the missal about Communion. It could be shown but is better shared in my view. This was VERY hard for me to understand when I was Protestant so please be aware that this difficult to understand. (I totally understand now…but it was a somewhat problem for me before)

My love in Christ,
mlz

 

[EasterJoy]

I don’t think I’ve ever met a Protestant who was not quite aware of the difference between a Catholic and a Protestant–well, except that they may imagine that incorrect things are the differences instead of the true things. At any rate, you can say, “We believe that a Christian has to be prepared to receive Holy Communion in the Church, a preparation which ends in full reception into the Church. It isn’t that we do not want you, but that we want all of you. If you have not yet joined the Church, we ask that you wait to receive Holy Communion until you do.”

You can also explain what the Mass is, with your ability to do so. Who knows, if they attend Mass having been given an understanding of what happens at Mass, they may want to join the Church. (I believe this is what happened to Scott Hahn.)

*…The second thing that happened was when I quietly slipped into the basement chapel down at Marquette, Gesu. They were having a noon Mass and I had never gone to Mass before. I slipped in. I sat down in the back pew. I didn’t kneel. I didn’t genuflect, I wouldn’t stand. I was an observer; I was there to watch. But I was surprised when 40, 50, 60, 80, or 100 ordinary folk just walked in off the street for midday Mass, ordinary folk who just came in, genuflected, knelt and prayed. Then a bell rang and they all stood up and Mass began. I had never seen it before.

The Liturgy of the Word was so rich, not only the Scripture readings. They read more Scripture, I thought, in a weekday Mass than we read in a Sunday service. But their prayers were soaked with Biblical language and phrases from Isaiah and Ezekiel. I sat there saying, "Man, stop the show, let me explain your prayers. That’s Zechariah; that’s Ezekiel. Wow! It’s like the Bible coming to life and dancing out on the center stage and saying, “This is where I belong.”

Then the Liturgy of the Eucharist began. I watched and listened as the priest pronounced the words of consecration and elevated the host. And I confess, the last drop of doubt drained away at that moment. I looked and said, “My Lord and my God.” As the people began going forward to receive communion, I literally began to drool, “Lord, I want you. I want communion more fully with you. You’ve come into my heart. You’re my personal Savior and Lord, but now I think You want to come onto my tongue and into my stomach, and into my body as well as my soul until this communion is complete.”

And as soon as it began, it was over. People stuck around for a minute or two for thanksgiving and then left. And eventually, I just walked out and wondered, what have I done? But the next day I was back, and the next, and the next. I couldn’t tell a soul. I couldn’t tell my wife. But in two or three weeks I was hooked. I was head over heels in love with Christ and His Real Presence in the Blessed Sacrament. It became the source and the summit and the climax of each day, and I still couldn’t tell anybody. *

catholiceducation.org/en/religion-and-philosophy/apologetics/the-scott-hahn-conversion-story.html

 

[ProVobis]

Always let them know how wonderful it was for them to attend with you, and that the door to the Church is always open, and if they like they can inquire further about what the Church teaches through special bible study like programs such as RCIA.

I imagine this is more common in wedding and funeral Masses where non-Catholics are invited. They may even know the rules, but in the moment, they don’t want to be seen sitting alone in the pews during communion.

 

[ichabode]

I think you mean Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion. And frankly it is better for everyone if non-communicants just stay in their pew. EMHCs are actually incapable of bestowing blessings during Mass.

Yes, they cannot bless in the name of Church, but climbing over people is uncomfortable and uneasy for everyone. I cannot argue with what you stated because it would be the proper etiquette. Church’s that are older the pews are bigger and that is what I have counseled visitors in the past. That is to just stay in the pew. I would just be inclined to instruct at a later time about the role of EMHCs etc as too often in the past the neophyte is left with the impression that one is being petty. I realize what you posted, and only speak about why I would do. The OP should pray and decide how best to proceed.

 

[Tomdstone]

Hello, I will be going away for a weekend soon for work (I am a support worker), there will be a Protestant employee and two people with learning difficulties who are both Protestant.

I will be attending Mass, one of the service users went with me before, no problem but I feel the Protestant employee (former Catholic) may go up for Communion and maybe the other service user too.

What am I suppose to say and do in regards to Communion? How do I say to the employee that they shouldn’t receive and harder still to the service user who would not understand anyway?

Our service users in my opinion do not understand or even know the differences between Catholic and Protestant.

Thanks.

At a Mass I attended the Catholic priest announced the following: I don’t see any reason why anyone who is here today cannot receive Holy Communion.

 

[smead2942]

Hello, I will be going away for a weekend soon for work (I am a support worker), there will be a Protestant employee and two people with learning difficulties who are both Protestant.

I will be attending Mass, one of the service users went with me before, no problem but I feel the Protestant employee (former Catholic) may go up for Communion and maybe the other service user too.

What am I suppose to say and do in regards to Communion? How do I say to the employee that they shouldn’t receive and harder still to the service user who would not understand anyway?

Our service users in my opinion do not understand or even know the differences between Catholic and Protestant.

Thanks.

If I were you, I would kindly explain to them straight-up that they should not receive Communion and, if you are in the line to receive from a “Eucharistic Minister”, tell them not to go up at all. Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion have no authority to give “blessings” within the context of the liturgy.

 

[JimG]

If I were you, I would kindly explain to them straight-up that they should not receive Communion and, if you are in the line to receive from a “Eucharistic Minister”, tell them not to go up at all. Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion have no authority to give “blessings” within the context of the liturgy.

It might even be prudent in such a situation to refrain from receiving communion and stay in the pew with your guests.

 

[ProVobis]

It might even be prudent in such a situation to refrain from receiving communion and stay in the pew with your guests.

I agree. That would be “fair,” considering the alternatives.

 

[Brandon_Cal]

I imagine this is more common in wedding and funeral Masses where non-Catholics are invited. They may even know the rules, but in the moment, they don’t want to be seen sitting alone in the pews during communion.

I’m not Catholic, but when I first started assisting at Mass I ran into a neighbor unexpectedly (this parish was 20 mi. or so away from our neighborhood). Knowing that I was a practicing Mormon at the time he was delighted to see me. He sat with me and gave me a quick primer on the Mass (in a whisper), and informed me that I shouldn’t present myself for communion when the rest of the congregation does. When it came time for this he actually stayed in the pews with me even though I have no doubt he was very likely properly disposed to receive.

I asked him afterward why he didn’t receive and he said he just wanted to keep me company and not make me feel left out. He went on to explain that even Catholics who are properly disposed to receive are not obligated to do so except for the once-a-year-preferably-around-Easter rule. As a non-Catholic with (at the time) almost zero knowledge of Catholic practices this definitely helped me better understand the idea that lack of communion reception doesn’t mean lack of inclusion. As I started to study Catholicism on my own and developed an appreciation for my neighbor’s faith and how important the Eucharist is to him, I came to realize just how loving this action was. I offer this anecdote just as a possibility for the OP to diffuse any issues (s)he thinks may arise from a confrontation.

Yes, they cannot bless in the name of Church, but climbing over people is uncomfortable and uneasy for everyone. I cannot argue with what you stated because it would be the proper etiquette. Church’s that are older the pews are bigger and that is what I have counseled visitors in the past. That is to just stay in the pew. I would just be inclined to instruct at a later time about the role of EMHCs etc as too often in the past the neophyte is left with the impression that one is being petty. I realize what you posted, and only speak about why I would do. The OP should pray and decide how best to proceed.

After seeing how contentious an issue this is on these boards I’ve made it a point to never get in the communion line for a blessing. I’ve had weird practical issues pop up with this though, and I’ve always wondered if there’s an SOP for allowing those who desire to receive to get by your kneeling body that’s in the way. Is there a generally understood norm that I should be following? I’ve remained kneeling in which case those near me have to exit from the distal end of the pew; I’ve sat down and bended my hips to one side bringing my knees to the pew in order to make room for them to walk past; I’ve walked out of the pew as if I was also going to receive, indicated to those behind me that they may go in front of me, and once all people in the pew have existed I’ve reentered the pew and knelt. Are one of these more preferable to the others?

 

[smead2942]

I agree. That would be “fair,” considering the alternatives.

Good call!

 

[Phemie]

After seeing how contentious an issue this is on these boards I’ve made it a point to never get in the communion line for a blessing. I’ve had weird practical issues pop up with this though, and I’ve always wondered if there’s an SOP for allowing those who desire to receive to get by your kneeling body that’s in the way. Is there a generally understood norm that I should be following? I’ve remained kneeling in which case those near me have to exit from the distal end of the pew; I’ve sat down and bended my hips to one side bringing my knees to the pew in order to make room for them to walk past; I’ve walked out of the pew as if I was also going to receive, indicated to those behind me that they may go in front of me, and once all people in the pew have existed I’ve reentered the pew and knelt. Are one of these more preferable to the others?

When I’m not receiving I will step out of the pew if older, less mobile people have to get past me. Otherwise I just sit and turn as I would do in a theatre if someone had to get past me to reach their seat. If I’m kneeling when they return, I stand up and let them pass.

I find it interesting that I’ve never had anyone express any angst over how to let people past them to get in their seat at a concert venue. Everyone seems to know exactly how to do that.

 

[HelenRose]

Hello, I will be going away for a weekend soon for work (I am a support worker), there will be a Protestant employee and two people with learning difficulties who are both Protestant.

I will be attending Mass, one of the service users went with me before, no problem but I feel the Protestant employee (former Catholic) may go up for Communion and maybe the other service user too.

What am I suppose to say and do in regards to Communion? How do I say to the employee that they shouldn’t receive and harder still to the service user who would not understand anyway?

Our service users in my opinion do not understand or even know the differences between Catholic and Protestant.

Thanks.

Ask them if they truly believe that they are receiving the true body and blood of Christ. Ask them if they believe that communion is “just” a symbol.
If they answer that it is just a symbol explain to them gently that you believe that you are receiving the true body and blood of Jesus Christ and that to you this is the most important event in your life. Explain to them that the body and blood of Christ sustains and upholds your life. Explain to them that it bothers you when some one takes this gift lightly.

 

[HelenRose]

Discuss the differences before Mass. Be sure to let her know that she is more than welcome to be there and that many people in the Church, for all sorts of reasons, do not go forward to accept communion.

The differences in the Protestant’s perspective and that of Catholicism is so different. It is hard to explain why this is important.

It isn’t a matter of exclusion. It is a matter of understanding that this is not just a symbol to Catholics. It isn’t a matter of a family get-together for a meal but entering into the mystery of Christ’s death.

 

[Nelka]

Thank You for all the replies.