Was it wrong for me to take communion?

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Sublime_Prince

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Ok I am really confused. I visited my mom’s church twice that is catholic. The first time I did not take commmunion because I thought non-catholics were not allowed to do that. My mom told me their catholic church is very liberal on that and it was ok for me to do that she really wanted me the last time I went and didn’t. So I did and I think it made her feel better.

From my understand non-catholics can’t partake in communion because the majority don’t believe in the eucharist. However I do believe the bread and wine are the body and blood of christ. And from what I read online the catholic church seemed to say the reason why only catholics can partake in communion is because non-catholics don’t believe in the eucharist. However if I am a non-catholic and believe I am recieving the blood and body of Christ then it therefore must be ok?
 
Sublime_Prince said:
Ok I am really confused. I visited my mom’s church twice that is catholic. The first time I did not take commmunion because I thought non-catholics were not allowed to do that. My mom told me their catholic church is very liberal on that and it was ok for me to do that she really wanted me the last time I went and didn’t. So I did and I think it made her feel better.
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We need to abstract from your mom’s subjective feelings on the matter. What “makes us feel good” is not necessarily what is best for us. Consider the Israelites coming out of Egypt. They were hungry, and grumbling to Moses, “Were we not better off in Egypt? At least we had meat in our pots.” But was being in bondage really better for them?

No, of course not.

So then we must ask: Why does your mom want you to receive Holy Communion. What is the reason behind her desire? There are many possible answers here, and I suspect that finding out the actual reasons would lead to an excellent discussion.
Sublime_Prince said:
From my understand non-catholics can’t partake in communion because the majority don’t believe in the eucharist. However I do believe the bread and wine are the body and blood of christ. And from what I read online the catholic church seemed to say the reason why only catholics can partake in communion is because non-catholics don’t believe in the eucharist. However if I am a non-catholic and believe I am recieving the blood and body of Christ then it therefore must be ok?
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It is not OK, because more than belief in the elements is needed.

In ordinary circumstances, to receive Holy Communion, one must be a Catholic who is in a state of grace.

In extraordinary circumstances, according to our law, a Protestant Christian may receive Holy Communion, as well as the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Anointing of the SIck, provided that some conditions are met.

Manifesting a Catholic belief in the Sacrament is only one of the conditions. You may read the relevant legislation in the Code of Canon law here:

vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/__P2T.HTM
(Pay particular attention to Canon 844 Section 4)

I urge you to two actions: (1) Do not receive Holy Communion until such time as you may licitly do so, and (2) have that conversation with your mom.

Regards,
Joe
 
On second thought, I will go into all the conditions that must all be met for a non-Catholic Christian to receive Holy Communion (properly, for a Catholic minister to administer Holy Communion licitly to a non-Catholic Christian):

First, the canon:
Can844 §4. If the danger of death is present or if, in the judgment of the diocesan bishop or conference of bishops, some other grave necessity urges it, Catholic ministers administer these same sacraments licitly also to other Christians not having full communion with the Catholic Church, who cannot approach a minister of their own community and who seek such on their own accord, provided that they manifest Catholic faith in respect to these sacraments and are properly disposed.
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N.B. “these same sacraments” refers to the main body of canon 844, which refers to the sacraments of (a) Penance, (b) Holy Communion, and (c) Anointing of the Sick

So the conditions:
(1) Danger of death OR some other grave necessity
→ competant judge: diocesan bishop or the conference of bishops
(2) Recipient must be a Christian, i.e., baptized
(3) Recipient must be unable to approach a minister of his own community
→ this inability has been somewhat broadly interpreted; it does not require physical inability
(4) Recipient must seek the Sacrament himself
(5) Recipient must manifest (show) Catholic faith about the sacrament.
→ the OP did already stipulate to this requirement
(6) Recipient must be properly disposed…
→ generally, this refers to being in a state of grace. If the danger of death is present, perhaps the recipient would be able to receive Sacramental Absolution first, then receive Holy Communion.

So it is not just believing that the elements are the body and blood of Christ. There is more to it than that.

Regards,
Joe
 
jprioli said:
On second thought, I will go into all the conditions that must all be met for a non-Catholic Christian to receive Holy Communion (properly, for a Catholic minister to administer Holy Communion licitly to a non-Catholic Christian):

First, the canon:

N.B. “these same sacraments” refers to the main body of canon 844, which refers to the sacraments of (a) Penance, (b) Holy Communion, and (c) Anointing of the Sick

So the conditions:
(1) Danger of death OR some other grave necessity
→ competant judge: diocesan bishop or the conference of bishops
(2) Recipient must be a Christian, i.e., baptized
(3) Recipient must be unable to approach a minister of his own community
→ this inability has been somewhat broadly interpreted; it does not require physical inability
(4) Recipient must seek the Sacrament himself
(5) Recipient must manifest (show) Catholic faith about the sacrament.
→ the OP did already stipulate to this requirement
(6) Recipient must be properly disposed…
→ generally, this refers to being in a state of grace. If the danger of death is present, perhaps the recipient would be able to receive Sacramental Absolution first, then receive Holy Communion.

So it is not just believing that the elements are the body and blood of Christ. There is more to it than that.

Regards,
Joe
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good answers
 
Beautiful! Well said, jprioli.
And his mom would be very happy for him if he could tell her what he learned and hopefully he’d continue finding his way home to become one of us- Catholics.
May God bless you, Sublime Prince.🙂
 
Sublime_Prince said:
Ok I am really confused. I visited my mom’s church twice that is catholic. The first time I did not take commmunion because I thought non-catholics were not allowed to do that. My mom told me their catholic church is very liberal on that and it was ok for me to do that she really wanted me the last time I went and didn’t. So I did and I think it made her feel better.
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Prince,
Although I agree with the others that you should not have taken communion, I do applaud your desire to make your mom happy. That is a beautiful thing.

Paul
 
Seems like the mother needs some basic teaching in Catholic beliefs as does that particular parish.
 
Sublime_Prince said:
Ok I am really confused. I visited my mom’s church twice that is catholic. The first time I did not take commmunion because I thought non-catholics were not allowed to do that. My mom told me their catholic church is very liberal on that and it was ok for me to do that she really wanted me the last time I went and didn’t. So I did and I think it made her feel better.

From my understand non-catholics can’t partake in communion because the majority don’t believe in the eucharist. However I do believe the bread and wine are the body and blood of christ. And from what I read online the catholic church seemed to say the reason why only catholics can partake in communion is because non-catholics don’t believe in the eucharist. However if I am a non-catholic and believe I am recieving the blood and body of Christ then it therefore must be ok?
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The Catholic church has ingeniously made this a complicated mess designed to confuse most folks. Jesus shared his body and blood with his Apostles at the last supper. Most of them didn’t have a clue about what Jesus was talking about. They fell asleep in the garden of Gestemanie while he sweated blood praying to his father. Peter denied him three times, Judas sold him out for a bit of money. Do you think they should have received communion?
 
SIA said:
The Catholic church has ingeniously made this a complicated mess designed to confuse most folks. Jesus shared his body and blood with his Apostles at the last supper. Most of them didn’t have a clue about what Jesus was talking about. They fell asleep in the garden of Gestemanie while he sweated blood praying to his father. Peter denied him three times, Judas sold him out for a bit of money. Do you think they should have received communion?
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The norms were hardly made with the intention of confusion. In fact, the rules are extremely easy. With the exception of a couple of EXTREMELY rare circumstance, the rule is…

If you’re not Catholic, you can’t receive Communion.
 
SIA said:
The Catholic church has ingeniously made this a complicated mess designed to confuse most folks. Jesus shared his body and blood with his Apostles at the last supper. Most of them didn’t have a clue about what Jesus was talking about. They fell asleep in the garden of Gestemanie while he sweated blood praying to his father. Peter denied him three times, Judas sold him out for a bit of money. Do you think they should have received communion?
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The Catholic Church has made this “complicated mess” because we don’t want Jesus to be treated irreverently.

As to the Apostles,I know that you are a big fan of Jesus said so, so this is the scripture that came to mind first

“18 And the disciples of John and of the Pharisees used to fast: and they come and say unto him, Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but thy disciples fast not? 19 And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. 20 But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days.” Mark 21:8-20

The Apostle’s would have been sanctified solely by being in the presence of Jesus. And the Apostles were definitely worthy. They had extreme amounts of faith, able to heal, work miracles, and walk on water.
 
SIA said:
The Catholic church has ingeniously made this a complicated mess designed to confuse most folks. Jesus shared his body and blood with his Apostles at the last supper. Most of them didn’t have a clue about what Jesus was talking about. They fell asleep in the garden of Gestemanie while he sweated blood praying to his father. Peter denied him three times, Judas sold him out for a bit of money. Do you think they should have received communion?
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The apostles were weak and non-comprehending before Pentecost, but that is not the same thing as sinful and unworthy.

Jesus gave them communion and I am in no position to argue with Him about it.

Paul
 
Yeah you are really not supposed to receive communion until you have finished RCIA and made your sacraments of being baptised/christened in the Catholic faith and you confessed your butt off before your first communion, and be sure you are not under any venial or mortal sin. However, I have a very good idea why your mom wanted you to go and get communion. I think she really just wanted you to experience it and she wants you to “come home” to the faith. She would rather see you get communion than never at all. I am sure she knew better, sometimes what we want for our children overrides all of the rules in our minds. It makes her feel better. I think you both have veeery good intentions. I am glad to see that you recognize the eucharist and wine as such. Even though techincally you are not supposed to I dont think Jesus will hold it against you, but if you feel a calling to become Catholic then by all means go for it. Then provided the above you can have all the communion you want. Joe always gives very good advice, in an informed concise measure, so use that to begin.
 
SIA said:
The Catholic church has ingeniously made this a complicated mess designed to confuse most folks. Jesus shared his body and blood with his Apostles at the last supper. Most of them didn’t have a clue about what Jesus was talking about. They fell asleep in the garden of Gestemanie while he sweated blood praying to his father. Peter denied him three times, Judas sold him out for a bit of money. Do you think they should have received communion?
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I don’t agree that the Catholic church made this a complicated mess. All are invited to become Catholic Christians and received the sacraments of the Catholic church. All Catholics may receive communion if they are in the state of grace. The confusion came because followers of people who have separated from the Catholic church want to receive the Catholic sacraments. The Church says no. Not because they are unworthy. Simply because you need to belong to the Church to receive the sacraments of the Church.

Talking about the unworthiness of the apostles isn’t relevant to the issue.
 
Sometimes, I think the CC’s requirements of who is allowed to receive communion just baffles me.

John 6 is used by catholics as a pre-cursor to the institution of the Eucharist. One must eat the flesh and blood of Jesus to gain eternal life.

Jesus states this simply.

The CC church teaches they are the only ones who have the valid “Eucharist”.

Why on earth, then, would the CC deny the “living bread and blood of Christ” to anyone who came forward to receive Him?

It is like having a baby, saying, “oh no you are not worthy” and denying him/her food.
 
No it’s not right for you to do this…Your mother is mistaken
 
MsOKing said:
Sometimes, I think the CC’s requirements of who is allowed to receive communion just baffles me.

John 6 is used by catholics as a pre-cursor to the institution of the Eucharist. One must eat the flesh and blood of Jesus to gain eternal life.

Jesus states this simply.

The CC church teaches they are the only ones who have the valid “Eucharist”.

Why on earth, then, would the CC deny the “living bread and blood of Christ” to anyone who came forward to receive Him?

It is like having a baby, saying, “oh no you are not worthy” and denying him/her food.
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This is off-topic, yet some non-Catholic Christians will not baptize their babies therefore denying them adoption as a child of God, and will make their children do the work of proclaiming their desire to become one of God’s adopted children. To me this is like a family that adopts a baby but does not give them the family name until the child grows old enough to say she wants to carry the name and demands her right to do so. Doesn’t seem very loving or trusting to me.

On topic, as to receiving the Eucharist in the Catholic Church, one is not only stating that he believes in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist, but also believes in all that the Catholic Church teaches and recognizes the Pope as the Vicar of Christ to the universal church here on earth.
 
Why on earth, then, would the CC deny the “living bread and blood of Christ” to anyone who came forward to receive Him?
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It is like having a baby, saying, “oh no you are not worthy” and denying him/her food
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But the Catholic Church isn’t ‘denying’ the Eucharist to people. . .it is the people who refuse to be ‘in communion’ with the Church who deny themselves the Eucharist.

Did Jesus ever say, “Your sins are forgiven. . .now go, and keep on sinning?”

Every time a person was forgiven, the corollary was "and sin no more.’

A Christian who does not ‘believe’ in the eucharist would be sinning in ‘taking it’ (Scripture tells us of the perils of 'eating and drinking the Body and Blood of the Lord unworthily). Likewise, a person ‘cut off’ by mortal sin who takes the Eucharist is 'eating and drinking unworthily.

So it isn’t 'just every Catholic" who can receive. It isn’t just ‘every Christian’ who can receive.

In receiving communion in the Catholic Church, one is saying, "I agree to all the teachings of the Catholic Church. ** I am ‘in union with’ --which is what ‘communion’ is–all the teachings of the Church. I** am not in grave sin, I eat and drink worthily.’

For a non-Catholic to come in and take ‘communion’ while NOT being in union is to eat and drink unworthily–to commit sin, and grave sin at that.

Do you truly want us to say, “Go, take communion with us even though you deny our teachings and refuse to be a part of our Church. Even though in taking communion you are falsely swearing that you do agree with us and are one with us, and thus are eating and drinking the Body and Blood of Christ --which you don’t even believe is the case, but hey, Catholics claim it so you’re darned well going to take it just in case they’re right, because you’re entitled to have whatever you want–we cannot ‘deny’ you what you want, and your right to ‘take’ it without any sort of belief, just for the sake of 'having it???”

That would be so. . .unChristian of us. . .to assist you to sin mortally. It would be the most unloving act we could possibly do.
 
Al_Masetti said:
Have you considered studying what the Catholic Church teaches and believes?

On-line edition of “Pillar of Fire”:

catholic.com/library/Pillar.asp

Book Store edition of “Pillar of Fire”

shop.catholic.com/cgi-local/SoftCart.exe/online-store/scstore/p-CB021.html?L+scstore+ypng9615ffb58bb5+1278538892

Catholic Answers set of tracts:

shop.catholic.com/cgi-local/SoftCart.exe/online-store/scstore/p-CT400.html?L+scstore+ypng9615ffb58bb5+1286145450
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Sorry … I got timed out.

If you go to the Catholic Answers Home Page … up on the top left side, there is a box called “Library”. If you click on any of the topics, what will come up is also the Catholic Answers tracts for that topic. So it’s not necessary to purchase the tracts; all of them are available for free on-line.
 
MsOKing said:
Sometimes, I think the CC’s requirements of who is allowed to receive communion just baffles me.

John 6 is used by catholics as a pre-cursor to the institution of the Eucharist. One must eat the flesh and blood of Jesus to gain eternal life.

Jesus states this simply.

The CC church teaches they are the only ones who have the valid “Eucharist”.

Why on earth, then, would the CC deny the “living bread and blood of Christ” to anyone who came forward to receive Him?

It is like having a baby, saying, “oh no you are not worthy” and denying him/her food.
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Well it like this.
  1. The Catholic church does recognize that the Orthodox have a valid Eucharist as well as as one or to others It is also valid for ( from the Catholic side ) for those whom we hold as having valid sacraments to receive in the Catholic church.
  2. Because the Eucharist is the Blood and body of the lord it would not be proper to give it to those who reject this and or those whom are not spiritual disposed to receive .
  3. To be able to receive the Eucharist all one has to do is come home to the Church lay aside your Protestant ways.
I mean if you agree with Catholic on the sacraments then why would you not become Catholic? If you don’t then why would you want to partake in them?
 
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