Question about Communion

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Delaine75

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My daughter’s cousin attended Mass with us not long ago and was really confused as to why I told her she probably shouldn’t take Communion since she wasn’t Catholic. She and her family are Methodists, and she said that they take Communion there and that anyone is welcome to take it, so she couldn’t understand why she couldn’t take it at Mass. Was I wrong in telling her not to take Communion at our church? My understanding was that only Catholics are allowed Communion at the Catholic church, but if I’m wrong, please let me know so I don’t repeat this in the future! 😉 Thank you!
 
You are correct. Communion in a Catholic Church are for Catholics only. Basically they are for people who believe that the Eucharist is truly the Body and Blood of Christ. That is sometimes we extend giving Communion to the Orthodox (whether they present themselves for Communion in a Catholic Church is another matter) because we share the same belief. However, in many Protestant communities, Communion is merely symbolic and thus they do not believe that the Eucharist is the true Body and Blood of Christ. To allow them to receive the Body and Blood of Christ would be committing sacrilege.
 
No, you’re not wrong. Only Catholics are allowed to receive at Mass. For her, communion isn’t receiving the Body of Christ, it’s a memorial service.

Scout :tiphat:
 
The Guidelines in the Missal (in the back or on the back…or at the USCCB to print out) can explain it in a good way for her.
 
Thank you all very much! This was really weighing on my heart the past couple of days and I feel a lot better knowing I made the right decision and can explain it better to her now! :yup:
 
Delaine75 said:
Thank you all very much! This was really weighing on my heart the past couple of days and I feel a lot better knowing I made the right decision and can explain it better to her now! :yup:
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To spin it as well in down-to-Earth language:

The Holy Eucharist is not a mere symbol. By taking it, you not only acknowledge that you believe it is the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Christ, but that you have taken oaths to that effect–that is, that you are a Catholic. We don’t want to ask our Protestant friends to lie by taking the Eucharist, for St. Paul warns others not to do so in this manner under grave consequences.
 
Receiving Communion at a Catholic Church you must be a Catholic or Orthodox who believes that the Bread and Wine are the actual Body and Blood of Jesus Christ.

Take Care and
God Bless.
 
SwissGuard25 said:
Receiving Communion at a Catholic Church you must be a Catholic or Orthodox who believes that the Bread and Wine are the actual Body and Blood of Jesus Christ.

Take Care and
God Bless.
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I’ve heard that it sometimes is extended to some Anglicans as Anglicans (perhaps the Traditional Anglicans who are now coming into communion with Rome) believe in the Real Presence, even though by virtue of an invalid priesthood they do not have it. They do, from their perspective, believe that they have the Real Presence, which I think satisfied the condition of faith in the Eucharist.
 
Delaine75 said:
My daughter’s cousin attended Mass with us not long ago and was really confused as to why I told her she probably shouldn’t take Communion since she wasn’t Catholic. She and her family are Methodists, and she said that they take Communion there and that anyone is welcome to take it, so she couldn’t understand why she couldn’t take it at Mass. Was I wrong in telling her not to take Communion at our church? My understanding was that only Catholics are allowed Communion at the Catholic church, but if I’m wrong, please let me know so I don’t repeat this in the future! 😉 Thank you!
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I am on your side. The only other times I have taken communion outside of the catholic church is when Pope John Paul II came to San Anthonio or I was in the Hospital but usually the deacon,sister ,priest or someone from the eucarisitc ministry gave me communion. Remember we are all here for you!
 
You are correct. Only those who belong to Rites in communion with the Roman Catholic Church can receive communion. Protestant Churches are excluded because they do not hold the Catholic belief regarding the Real Presence of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist. If someone wants to recieve the Eucharist, that is a wonderful thing. They should consider Catholicism.

Other than us Catholics, Orthodox Christians are welcome to recieve Communion as well. I believe however, that some of them may risk excommunication from their own churches if they do so.
 
Delaine75 said:
My daughter’s cousin attended Mass with us not long ago and was really confused as to why I told her she probably shouldn’t take Communion since she wasn’t Catholic. She and her family are Methodists, and she said that they take Communion there and that anyone is welcome to take it, so she couldn’t understand why she couldn’t take it at Mass. Was I wrong in telling her not to take Communion at our church? My understanding was that only Catholics are allowed Communion at the Catholic church, but if I’m wrong, please let me know so I don’t repeat this in the future! 😉 Thank you!
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Non-Catholics and Catholics in a state of mortal sin are not permitted to receive Communion in a Catholic Church.
 
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