Protestant taking Catholic mass

[Dlee]

I’m curious how you came to this conclusion - how do you know they are seeking counseling and advice rather than confessing? The Priests at my parish always volunteer some words of advice pertaining to my confession.

 

[Augustinian]

Having grown up prior to Vatican 2, the lines were not all that much longer; and confession did not go on for hours. I remember many times going to confession and the line had maybe 4 or 5 people ahead of me.

Of course, when you were a kid in Catholic school or CCD classes, they sent the children to confession en masse as part of the program. That means a line as all the kids in the class would be there simultaneously.

 

[guanophore]

these Christians just take Catholic mass like lining up for coffee (everyone’s invited). Is this ok?

I think what you are saying is that a non-Catholic who denies the Real Presence received the Holy Eucharist during Mass. This is considered a sacrilege, and no, it is not ok.

Catholic Mass is open to anyone, and non-Catholics are encouraged to attend to learn about the Catholic faith. Communion is not “open” or “symbolic” and generally a person must be received into the Church prior to receiving.

At the consecration, we believe that the elements of bread and wine are replaced with the Body and Blood of the Lord. For that reason, during communion there is no “bread and wine” anymore, but only the Body and Blood. We also do not “take” communion, we receive it.

 

[De_Maria]

Early this month I was confirmed and received into the Catholic Church and I was so looking forwards to going to midnight mass at a Catholic Church at a different church that I normally go to. Unfortunately two non Catholic Christians told me afterwards that one crossed their hands for the bread but then went on to drink the wine whilst the other deliberately took both bread and wine as he says it’s just symbolic and he is a Christian and can take it. Obviously at Christmas mass with so many strangers and visitors it’s hard to tell, but it took me 3 years to get through RCIA and journey through being ex communicated etc by Pentecostal friends and suffer whilst these Christians just take Catholic mass like lining up for coffee (everyone’s invited). Is this ok?

If you speak to them, read them this verse in Scripture:

1 Corinthians 11:28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. 29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. 30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.

You see, that rule is not imposed simply to protect the Eucharist from sacrilege. It is also there to protect the unbeliever from the results of his sinful behaviour.

God is not mocked.

 

[Spyridon]

First of all, after the consecration we refer to the elements as the Body and Blood of the Lord. They have been changed/transubstantiated and only retain the appearance of bread and wine.

Second, communion is received, not “taken”.

Third, receiving communion as your two friends did is a sacrilige. You were right to wait as long as you did, and the fact that their behavior bothered you demonstrates how much respect you have for the Eucharist.

Fourth, pray for them, that their minds and hearts may be converted from the heresy that it is"just symbolic" and they will join RCIA! You can sponsor them.

Amen, amen, amen.

Wisdom.

Let us attend.

 

[joeybaggz]

Have written this before on a similar thread. When a person is presented the unleavened wafer, the minister intones “the body of Christ.” When a person is presented the cup (if it so offered), the minister says, “the blood of Christ.” To which the recipient is to reply, “Amen” - so be it - I truly believe it is the body and blood of Christ.
To say Amen and not believe is to bear false witness to the entire community at Mass. To bear false witness is (if we all remember) the subject of one of the Ten Commandments. One of the commandments Christ told the young rich man who asked “what must I have to do to have eternal life” to obey. To be knowledgeable of this and to then go ahead and continue bearing false witness by receiving communion under any species, is sinful and scandalous to all present. You might offer this idea to your friends.
And one other thing to the OP. Christ said that he came to divide mankind, a father will be against his son, a mother against her daughter, etc. I think that might also extend to a friend against friend. I don’t need friends who defile my most sacred beliefs, and insult me by doing so. Do you ??

 

[otjm]

I went to catholic grade school, but we didn’t get marched over from school. Saturday confessions, in the adult lines.

 

[Maximilian75]

Where is your source for this?

 

[lilypadrees]

This is printed on the inside of my Missal and should be clear to anyone who reads it.

Guidelines for the Reception of Communion

FOR CATHOLICS
As Catholics, we fully participate in the celebration of the Eucharist when we receive Holy Communion. We are encouraged to receive Communion devoutly and frequently. In order to be properly disposed to receive Communion, participants should not be conscious of grave sin and normally should have fasted for one hour. A person who is conscious of grave sin is not to receive the Body and Blood of the Lord without prior sacramental confession except for a grave reason where there is no opportunity for confession. In this case, the person is to be mindful of the obligation to make an act of perfect contrition, including the intention of confessing as soon as possible (canon 916). A frequent reception of the Sacrament of Penance is encouraged for all.

FOR OUR FELLOW CHRISTIANS
We welcome our fellow Christians to this celebration of the Eucharist as our brothers and sisters. We pray that our common baptism and the action of the Holy Spirit in this Eucharist will draw us closer to one another and begin to dispel the sad divisions which separate us. We pray that these will lessen and finally disappear, in keeping with Christ’s prayer for us “that they may all be one” (Jn 17:21).

Because Catholics believe that the celebration of the Eucharist is a sign of the reality of the oneness of faith, life, and worship, members of those churches with whom we are not yet fully united are ordinarily not admitted to Holy Communion. Eucharistic sharing in exceptional circumstances by other Christians requires permission according to the directives of the diocesan bishop and the provisions of canon law (canon 844 §4). Members of the Orthodox Churches, the Assyrian Church of the East, and the Polish National Catholic Church are urged to respect the discipline of their own Churches. According to Roman Catholic discipline, the Code of Canon Law does not object to the reception of Communion by Christians of these Churches (canon 844 §3).

FOR THOSE NOT RECEIVING HOLY COMMUNION
All who are not receiving Holy Communion are encouraged to express in their hearts a prayerful desire for unity with the Lord Jesus and with one another.

FOR NON-CHRISTIANS
We also welcome to this celebration those who do not share our faith in Jesus Christ. While we cannot admit them to Holy Communion, we ask them to offer their prayers for the peace and the unity of the human family.

Copyright 1996 United States Catholic Conference

 

[JonNC]

Early this month I was confirmed and received into the Catholic Church and I was so looking forwards to going to midnight mass at a Catholic Church at a different church that I normally go to. Unfortunately two non Catholic Christians told me afterwards that one crossed their hands for the bread but then went on to drink the wine whilst the other deliberately took both bread and wine as he says it’s just symbolic and he is a Christian and can take it. Obviously at Christmas mass with so many strangers and visitors it’s hard to tell, but it took me 3 years to get through RCIA and journey through being ex communicated etc by Pentecostal friends and suffer whilst these Christians just take Catholic mass like lining up for coffee (everyone’s invited). Is this ok?

From the perspective of this Anglican, going into someone’s “house” and violating their wishes is, at the least, rude and disrespectful.
But beyond that, receiving Christ’s body and blood (or even if you believe it is only a symbol of these), under such a deception undermines the reverence all Christians should have for His Supper.
It is wrong on many levels.

 

[Dhc8_Type]

You all refer to us having crackers and juice. But when I go to church with my wife I observed on more then one occasion 2/3rds to 3/4ths if you guys don’t take the wine. Isn’t that a little disingenuous.

 

[Gedackt]

No this is not okay. The Eucharist is the most sacred gift that Christ has given us. Only Catholics in a state of grace can receive it.

 

[JonNC]

You all refer to us having crackers and juice. But when I go to church with my wife I observed on more then one occasion 2/3rds to 3/4ths if you guys don’t take the wine. Isn’t that a little disingenuous.

not disingenuous. Concomitance, or the belief that one receives the full Christ in either the body or the blood.
Catholics have been taught this for centuries, and while Lutherans condemn the practice of withholding the chalice from the laity, it is because Christ didn’t.

They are not being disingenuous if that is their doctrine