Question about receiving Communion

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tracky8

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Hello -
I am relatively new to the Catholic faith, and have not “officially” joined the Church yet. I am planning to go through RCIA this year and to convert, but since I have not been baptized in the Church yet I am obviously not able to receive Communion during Mass.
Sometimes it seems that I am the only person that does not go forward during this part of the Mass, and I was wondering if other people (those receiving Communion) consider that strange or look down upon me for that? I guess I almost feel like I am intruding or that I am not supposed to be there since I can’t participate in the Eucharist.
Can anyone shed some light on how you feel as Catholics about that particular situation?
Thanks!
 
Most people have no problem with people not receiving communion. People will either think that you are entering the church or that you feel you cannot receive due to sin. Both of which are admirable reasons for not receiving. Especially in today’s world where many people do receive the Eucharist in a state of sin or before they have officially entered the church, which they are not supposed to do.

You really shouldn’t worry about what others are thinking of you. Honestly most people probably don’t even notice, except for the ones that may have to climb over you to get to communion.
 
tracky8 said:
Hello -
I am relatively new to the Catholic faith, and have not “officially” joined the Church yet. I am planning to go through RCIA this year and to convert, but since I have not been baptized in the Church yet I am obviously not able to receive Communion during Mass.
Sometimes it seems that I am the only person that does not go forward during this part of the Mass, and I was wondering if other people (those receiving Communion) consider that strange or look down upon me for that? I guess I almost feel like I am intruding or that I am not supposed to be there since I can’t participate in the Eucharist.
Can anyone shed some light on how you feel as Catholics about that particular situation?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Frankly, many more Catholics should also be remaining in the pew, IMHO. No: there is no “strangeness” about not going forward. Whenever I see someone remaining in the pew, I respect them for their integrity. Who knows why they are there? Ate breakfast? Irregular marriage? Grave sin on their conscience? None of my business. Sometimes there is a devotional component, and people refrain from Communion as a way of re-setting their thermostat. Many reasons. A man in my parish went without communon for FOUR years while he got his marriage straightened out. COOL! But none of these reasons is ANY of my business.

If it is known that you are still a candidate, people expect you to refrain from receiving.
 
I think we tend to notice ourselves and what we’re doing and think that everyone else notices too, but that’s not the case. Honestly, I don’t think people pay much attention to someone who stays in the pew at communion. So come to Mass and know that the church is your home too.
 
SuscipeMeDomine said:
I think we tend to notice ourselves and what we’re doing and think that everyone else notices too, but that’s not the case. Honestly, I don’t think people pay much attention to someone who stays in the pew at communion. So come to Mass and know that the church is your home too.
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Ain’t that the truth! We are SO conscious of ourSELVES.
 
Thank you all for your responses. I just wanted to make sure I wasn’t offending anyone or somehow intruding upon people or anything like that…
I very much enjoy attending Mass, and from my research, the only thing I am not supposed to participate in is the Eucharist. I was just curious about other’s thoughts on the matter, and was a bit embarassed to come right out and ask anyone.
Thanks!
 
Good MOrning! Why don’t you go up for a blessing if you feel uncomfortable with staying in the pew? You just go up like everybody else, except you cross your arms, you don’t even have to do that until you are almost up to the priest. God Bless and Welcome Home. 🙂
 
tracky8 said:
Hello -
I am relatively new to the Catholic faith, and have not “officially” joined the Church yet. I am planning to go through RCIA this year and to convert, but since I have not been baptized in the Church yet I am obviously not able to receive Communion during Mass.
Sometimes it seems that I am the only person that does not go forward during this part of the Mass, and I was wondering if other people (those receiving Communion) consider that strange or look down upon me for that? I guess I almost feel like I am intruding or that I am not supposed to be there since I can’t participate in the Eucharist.
Can anyone shed some light on how you feel as Catholics about that particular situation?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Oh dear, God bless you! Your questions are quite natural and I often hear the same concern from others who have yet to complete the RCIA program.

I do not even notice who is in a pew and who is not. For that matter, there are tons of reasons to remain in the pew. Let me list just the ones off the top of my head:
  • Spouses of Catholics who are not Catholic themselves (lots of those)
  • Friends/relatives who accompany Catholics to Mass who are not Catholic
  • People who have been baptized in the Church yet have not made their First Communion yet (typically children)
  • People who have already attended Mass that day for various reasons and have already received Communion and/or will be attending another Mass later that day
  • People who feel that they should abstain from the Eucharist until they can confess their sins
  • People who are visiting the church and like to attend Mass yet are not at the time planning on becoming Catholic
  • People who are there in order to assist with some sort of ministry following the Mass and have already attended Mass at another time or location
  • Folks who are curious about the Mass
  • People who are in the RCIA program or are discerning entering the program
    It is not for us to judge why someone remains in his/her seat. Frankly, I never even give it a thought. Receiving the Eucharist is a very intensely spiritual time, one where we are to be talking to Jesus and thanking Him for His most Holy Sacrifice for all of us.
God bless you on your journey, and please do keep us updated. As always, those seeking to enter the Church are in my prayers every day.

Kelly 🙂
 
CatholicCajun said:
Good MOrning! Why don’t you go up for a blessing if you feel uncomfortable with staying in the pew? You just go up like everybody else, except you cross your arms, you don’t even have to do that until you are almost up to the priest. God Bless and Welcome Home. 🙂
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Hello CatholicCajun! 🙂

You have to be sure that you discuss this with the priest beforehand. Not all parishes do this, and it is really done at the discretion of the priest. It is actually not the norm.
In our parish this is not done.

Peace be with you!

Kelly
 
tracky8 said:
Hello -
I am relatively new to the Catholic faith, and have not “officially” joined the Church yet. I am planning to go through RCIA this year and to convert, but since I have not been baptized in the Church yet I am obviously not able to receive Communion during Mass.
Sometimes it seems that I am the only person that does not go forward during this part of the Mass, and I was wondering if other people (those receiving Communion) consider that strange or look down upon me for that? I guess I almost feel like I am intruding or that I am not supposed to be there since I can’t participate in the Eucharist.
Can anyone shed some light on how you feel as Catholics about that particular situation?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Not at all tracky, I do believe those who receive Communion I don’t think they think of you that way. From my experience with my husband(former Baptist - he used to be uncomfortable himself) I know very well the reason why they did not recieve the Communion and people in the Church knows it too because they know the Church’s teaching that if you are not fully Union with the Church you are not suppose to receive the Eucharist and definitely you are welcome always welcome and advice to join the MASS from start to the end. NO you are not intruding and it is good that you be able to attend MASS though you cannot receive the Eucharist yet. It is a beautiful thing to see someone on their journey to the Catholic Church attend the MASS. Never never think that way okay. Doesn’t mean that you cannot receive the bread you cannot participate in the whole process. You are part of the family okay. And oh ya you can go up there instead of the Eucharist get a blessing from the Priest if you want to like CatholicCajun said cross you arm when you get to the Priest. My husband before became Catholic he did that it is just he did not cross his arm where he should have 🙂 God Bless you and continue to guide you.
 
kell0618 said:
Oh dear, God bless you! Your questions are quite natural and I often hear the same concern from others who have yet to complete the RCIA program.

I do not even notice who is in a pew and who is not. For that matter, there are tons of reasons to remain in the pew. Let me list just the ones off the top of my head:
  • Spouses of Catholics who are not Catholic themselves (lots of those)
  • Friends/relatives who accompany Catholics to Mass who are not Catholic
  • People who have been baptized in the Church yet have not made their First Communion yet (typically children)
  • People who have already attended Mass that day for various reasons and have already received Communion and/or will be attending another Mass later that day
  • People who feel that they should abstain from the Eucharist until they can confess their sins
  • People who are visiting the church and like to attend Mass yet are not at the time planning on becoming Catholic
  • People who are there in order to assist with some sort of ministry following the Mass and have already attended Mass at another time or location
  • Folks who are curious about the Mass
  • People who are in the RCIA program or are discerning entering the program
    It is not for us to judge why someone remains in his/her seat. Frankly, I never even give it a thought. Receiving the Eucharist is a very intensely spiritual time, one where we are to be talking to Jesus and thanking Him for His most Holy Sacrifice for all of us.
God bless you on your journey, and please do keep us updated. As always, those seeking to enter the Church are in my prayers every day.

Kelly 🙂
Click to expand...
This is a very good reason Kelly!
 
tracky8 said:
Hello -
I am relatively new to the Catholic faith, and have not “officially” joined the Church yet. I am planning to go through RCIA this year and to convert, but since I have not been baptized in the Church yet I am obviously not able to receive Communion during Mass.
Sometimes it seems that I am the only person that does not go forward during this part of the Mass, and I was wondering if other people (those receiving Communion) consider that strange or look down upon me for that? I guess I almost feel like I am intruding or that I am not supposed to be there since I can’t participate in the Eucharist.
Can anyone shed some light on how you feel as Catholics about that particular situation?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
‘Tracky’, I’d like you to meet my new friend Julie.

She just had her first RCIA meeting. 🙂
 
kell0618 said:
Hello CatholicCajun! 🙂

You have to be sure that you discuss this with the priest beforehand. Not all parishes do this, and it is really done at the discretion of the priest. It is actually not the norm.
In our parish this is not done.

Peace be with you!

Kelly
Click to expand...
Really? I guess I have not been to a parish that does not do this, so I thought it was the norm. Sorry if I gave wrong advice. Have a blessed day.😊
 
I used to feel the same way. I just became Catholic this past Easter. I often felt uncomfortable and conspicuous sitting in the pew when my family went up for communion. When our new parish priest instituted the practice of going up for a blessing, I joined them, but still felt a little odd. Now that I am able to receive, and thinking about what my feelings about people not going up, I realize that I am so involved in the joy of receiving that I am mostly unaware of others around me. I haven’t noticed anybody not going up to receive. I think it is natural to feel self-conscious in a situation like this, but most likely nobody is noticeing.

Good luck and God Bless
 
Why don’t you go up and cross your arms on your chest, and receive a blessing. That is what those awaiting the time until they can receive do.🙂
 
Joe_Frank said:
Why don’t you go up and cross your arms on your chest, and receive a blessing. That is what those awaiting the time until they can receive do.🙂
Click to expand...
As was mentioned earlier in the thread, the receiving of blessings during communion is an innovation where there is a debate about whether it is appropriate or not. No matter what, before doing it the person should check with the local priest to make sure it is appropriate in that parish. If it is allowed in that parish, the person should only be in the priest or deacons line, since EMHCs are not supposed to give blessings reserved to priests and deacons.
 
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