Receiving Couple Communion, instead of Individual Communion

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Miraluna

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:shrug:I have noticed a small (but increasing) trend in our Church. Married couples approach communion in unison. They stand side-by-side and receive together. I am not sure what to make of this? Have you seen this? I appreciate anything that shows unity in the marriage. Coming together to receive Christ is a good thing. But on the other hand, receiving God is such an awesome thing that it should be individual. I have problems focusing and approching with total reverance. If I had to synchornize with my spouse, then forget it…I would not be able to totally focused on receiving with total reverance and understanding. Any thoughts?
 
I believe this is an idea that was encouraged by Marriage Encounter retreats. This trend has been happening on and off in our parish for many years. I’m not distracted by it - it reminds me that just like our Holy Family, we, too, share in Christ as a couple and as a family. Personally, I don’t know if my husband and I would do that - if our faith journeys are similar, and if the gesture is significant, than, I wouldn’t discount it.
 
Miraluna said:
:shrug:I have noticed a small (but increasing) trend in our Church. Married couples approach communion in unison. They stand side-by-side and receive together. I am not sure what to make of this? Have you seen this? I appreciate anything that shows unity in the marriage. Coming together to receive Christ is a good thing. But on the other hand, receiving God is such an awesome thing that it should be individual. I have problems focusing and approching with total reverance. If I had to synchornize with my spouse, then forget it…I would not be able to totally focused on receiving with total reverance and understanding. Any thoughts?
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Doing this is an incorrect and improper way to receive Holy Communion. Your pastor should put a stop to this before it grows any more.
 
My wife and I did this for a bit but it didnt seem quite “right”. I got more focused on making sure we were standing next to each other than i did about WHO I was about to receive. It alos struck me as being a bit “prideful”
 
Br.Rich_SFO said:
Doing this is an incorrect and improper way to receive Holy Communion. Your pastor should put a stop to this before it grows any more.
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In our parish, no one is prevented from having another communicant standing next to them instead of behind them when they receive, assuming there is sufficient room. (It is not different than lining up at the communion rail, in previous times.) It is absolutely not allowed that communicants give Holy Communion to each other, or self-communicate. The extraordinary ministers (if any) approved by the celebrant when Mass starts are all that are allowed to distribute Holy Communion, and the number used is decided after the number of ordinary ministers present are accounted for.
 
I agree with the direction of these responses so far. We had a great homily today in which our pastor discussed the two sacraments of marriage and the Eucharist and how they are similar.

My question, if you don’t mind, is how does a bride and groom receive the Eucharist at a Nuptial Mass?
 
I would say to each their own. Many people’s faith lives are enhanced by their marriages and for them this may be a beautiful way of expressing that. If it’s not for you then by all means you’re not obligated, but I see no reason why people can’t receive communion side-by-side.
 
graceandglory said:
I agree with the direction of these responses so far. We had a great homily today in which our pastor discussed the two sacraments of marriage and the Eucharist and how they are similar.

My question, if you don’t mind, is how does a bride and groom receive the Eucharist at a Nuptial Mass?
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When I’ve seen it each was given the Host then the Chalice was offered to each in turn. They are not to offer each other the Chalice, as has been done.

The scenario offered by the OP strikes me as too contrived and cute.
 
It would be awkard at our church since we have two lines in each aisle, receiving from 2 priests (or EMHC) standing side-by-side. So in essence there would be 3 communicants lined up if a couple wanted to do that. There wouldn’t really be room for that. And there would be no easy way for the couple to process exactly side-by-side in the 2 lines–and then they would need to circle back to their pew from 2 different directions which would mar the symbolism of the whole event. Needless to say, I’ve never seen it done at this parish.
 
My wife generally kneels next to me at the Communion rail, does that count? 😉
 
Brendan said:
My wife generally kneels next to me at the Communion rail, does that count? 😉
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I knelt next to Mom & Dad & my brothers but that was usually due to getting to the rail around the same time and certainly not seen as a ‘togetherness’ thing.😃
 
EasterJoy said:
In our parish, no one is prevented from having another communicant standing next to them instead of behind them when they receive, assuming there is sufficient room. (It is not different than lining up at the communion rail, in previous times.) It is absolutely not allowed that communicants give Holy Communion to each other, or self-communicate. The extraordinary ministers (if any) approved by the celebrant when Mass starts are all that are allowed to distribute Holy Communion, and the number used is decided after the number of ordinary ministers present are accounted for.
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As long as they give Holy Communion to each person in turn, after one receives (consumes) then the next person receives, and so on.
 
Sr_Sally said:
It would be awkard at our church since we have two lines in each aisle, receiving from 2 priests (or EMHC) standing side-by-side. So in essence there would be 3 communicants lined up if a couple wanted to do that. There wouldn’t really be room for that. And there would be no easy way for the couple to process exactly side-by-side in the 2 lines–and then they would need to circle back to their pew from 2 different directions which would mar the symbolism of the whole event. Needless to say, I’ve never seen it done at this parish.
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It’s the same in my parish, 2 lines even when the priest distributes alone. I think if a couple did this the first person in the other line would be miffed and feel that they were queue jumping.
 
In the past we have done so with a little bit of a twist.

My wife being in a wheelchair at the left front side pew and I standing by her side & are the last to receive, usually the priest or deacon will come over to us.

Lately I have been going up in the line and the wife will receive last as above. Either way I feel very uncomfortable.😊
 
My wife and I have received this way on and off for 20+ years. We only do it where space and logistics do not create an issue for anyone else. First one of us receives and then the other - we do not give communion to each other nor do we stand holding the host and consume at the same time. I have never had a Priest take issue with this (but of course, if our Pastor were to ask us to stop I would abide by his wishes).

I don’t usually watch other folks receive, but in case this thread dies down, I have seen a couple of families with small kids who receive side by side as well…
 
At one of the parishes I attend, even though one priest distributes alone, he will have everyone form two lines. Not too sure of the rationale, since at another local parish the priests distribute equally successfully alone with a single line. Still, he seems pretty insistent on the two lines for some reason 🤷

In any case, as long as neither spouse is being irreverent in any way, or inconveniencing anyone else, or breaching the rubrics, I have no issue with it.
 
graceandglory said:
I agree with the direction of these responses so far. We had a great homily today in which our pastor discussed the two sacraments of marriage and the Eucharist and how they are similar.

My question, if you don’t mind, is how does a bride and groom receive the Eucharist at a Nuptial Mass?
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The bride and groom either kneel or stand together, laterally. However, each receives Holy Communion as an individual. They also do not give Holy Communion to each other, as this would be ilicit. One receives, then the other.

However, we need to realize that there is a huge difference between the Nuptial Mass and the regular Mass scenario that the OP described.
 
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