Should non-Catholics receive Communion at my wedding?

[Cynisca]

Sort of three questions:

I am getting married later this month. I am in RCIA (I just went through the rite of welcoming on Sunday), so I’m not that well versed in the ceremonies and traditions yet.

My mother asked me if she could take Communion at the ceremony. She is a practicing Christian who has been baptized and confirmed. I know that she’ll respect the tradition without question.

My other concern is that the other non-Catholics will take Communion without the respect to ask first. Does this affect the sanctity of the sacrament?

Lastly, I know that I will not be taking Communion (My bride will be.) How does it affect the marriage? Does it diminish the sacrament?

 

[Michelle_Arnold]

My mother asked me if she could take Communion at the ceremony. She is a practicing Christian who has been baptized and confirmed. I know that she’ll respect the tradition without question.

No, she should not receive Communion. Thank her for her courtesy in asking and explain that Catholics believe that Communion is a visible sign of unity with the Catholic Church and that is why non-Catholics ordinarily shouldn’t receive it.

Cynisca:

My other concern is that the other non-Catholics will take Communion without the respect to ask first. Does this affect the sanctity of the sacrament?

It doesn’t affect the sacrament itself, but you and your fiancee should let the non-Catholics know that they shouldn’t receive Communion. You can place a note in your wedding program and ask the celebrating priest to make an announcement right before distributing Communion directing guests to the note. (Have the celebrant “sign off” on the note you put in your program since you will basically be asking him to endorse it.)

Cynisca:

Lastly, I know that I will not be taking Communion. (My bride will be.) How does it affect the marriage? Does it diminish the sacrament?

It doesn’t affect either the marriage or the Eucharist at all.