What do unbaptised people do during communion?

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I am unbaptised and I know that I can’t take communion but I don’t know what I am supposed to do instead. I usually have to work on Sundays so I’ve never had to face that problem, but I can go to church through the week according to my church’s schedule, so I need to know what the appropriate action is.

Do I just stay seated while everyone else goes and gets communion? That’s what my dad made me do once when I was 16 and the stares from others were so hard to handle.

I have a friend who is in the process of conversion who says that she just goes and gets communion anyway, even though she’s not supposed to yet, but I am pretty sure I would feel quite bad about that.

I’m just not entirely sure what the appropriate thing to do is.

Thanks!
 
Your Dad was correct. Until you are a Baptised Catholic you cannot recieve Holy Communion. To do so would be a Mortal Sin.

No one is required to recieve every time they go to Mass. You did the right thing. I would advise you to kneel while communion is going on and pray for a “spiritual communion”.
Ask Jesus to come into your heart. Another good prayer is the prayer before a crucifix. Not sure which pew missal your church provides but most have a few prayers near the back for just such times.

Are you planning on coming into the church soon?
 
WokeUp said:
I am unbaptised and I know that I can’t take communion but I don’t know what I am supposed to do instead. I usually have to work on Sundays so I’ve never had to face that problem, but I can go to church through the week according to my church’s schedule, so I need to know what the appropriate action is.

Do I just stay seated while everyone else goes and gets communion? That’s what my dad made me do once when I was 16 and the stares from others were so hard to handle.

I have a friend who is in the process of conversion who says that she just goes and gets communion anyway, even though she’s not supposed to yet, but I am pretty sure I would feel quite bad about that.

I’m just not entirely sure what the appropriate thing to do is.

Thanks!
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If this woman is truly a friend, I would kindly inform her to not receive Communion and why. Otherwise, I agree with corsair’s assessment for yourself.
 
you can line up and receive a blessing from the priest, just fold your arms across your chest so that the priest knows not to give you the host.🙂
 
christosdavid said:
you can line up and receive a blessing from the priest, just fold your arms across your chest so that the priest knows not to give you the host.🙂
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No. The going up for a blessing thing is a recent innovation that has no basis in either the traditions of the Church or in her law.

The correct and traditional thing to do is to stay kneeling in your pew and pray and meditate on Act of Spiritual Communion. This has been the traditional thing for people who cannot receive communion (for whatever reason) to do.

Here is one version of the Act of Spiritual Communion:

My Jesus,
I believe that You
are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.
I love You above all things,
and I desire to receive You into my soul.
Since I cannot at this moment
receive You sacramentally,
come at least spiritually into my heart.
I embrace You as if You were already there
and unite myself wholly to You.
Never permit me to be separated from You.
Amen.
 
PacoG said:
No. The going up for a blessing thing is a recent innovation that has no basis in either the traditions of the Church or in her law.

The correct and traditional thing to do is to stay kneeling in your pew and pray and meditate on Act of Spiritual Communion. This has been the traditional thing for people who cannot receive communion (for whatever reason) to do.

Here is one version of the Act of Spiritual Communion:

My Jesus,
I believe that You
are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.
I love You above all things,
and I desire to receive You into my soul.
Since I cannot at this moment
receive You sacramentally,
come at least spiritually into my heart.
I embrace You as if You were already there
and unite myself wholly to You.
Never permit me to be separated from You.
Amen.
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Obviously a “recent innovation” that is condoned and practiced by the CC
 
christosdavid said:
Obviously a “recent innovation” that is condoned and practiced by the CC
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No. It is tolerated in a few jurisdictions of the Church.

It isn’t condoned. It is nowhere in any of the liturgical books or documents of the Latin Rite. It is nowhere in the liturgical traditions of the Latin Rite.

Show me where it is approved or recommended in the GIRM or any other document.
 
PacoG said:
No. It is tolerated in a few jurisdictions of the Church.

It isn’t condoned. It is nowhere in any of the liturgical books or documents of the Latin Rite. It is nowhere in the liturgical traditions of the Latin Rite.

Show me where it is approved or recommended in the GIRM or any other document.
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the local priests all observe the practise when I bring my daughter up to communion with me, this has been with several priests and even different countries.

The practise was probably started so that people didnt have to sit or kneel in pews and feel uncomfortable.

Is there something wrong with the priest blessing someone? What is your objection?
 
christosdavid said:
the local priests all observe the practise when I bring my daughter up to communion with me, this has been with several priests and even different countries.

The practise was probably started so that people didnt have to sit or kneel in pews and feel uncomfortable.

Is there something wrong with the priest blessing someone? What is your objection?
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This is why it is an objection: forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=543513

Of course, that is not law (yet), but still.

I just can’t, for the life of me, understand how discomfort is a justified feeling for not being able to receive Holy Communion. I believe it is another problem of our cultural disease.
 
YoungTradCath said:
This is why it is an objection: forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=543513

Of course, that is not law (yet), but still.

I just can’t, for the life of me, understand how discomfort is a justified feeling for not being able to receive Holy Communion. I believe it is another problem of our cultural disease.
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and also the reason for this thread, but instead of a non-communicant taking the host he/she receives a blessing from God…via his representative in the church…
 
I skipped over some posts but the “readers digest version” of the letter youngtrad linked to is the church has made no pronouncement on the practice of going up to receive a blessing, but an extraordinary minister could give no such blessing anyway, as blessings in the mass are reserved exclusively to the ordained. Further it is customary to give a proper blessing to all present shortly after communion so the point is moot anyhow. IMHO, seeing as how you will receive a blessing anyway, the time would be better spent making a spiritual communion. the version I have memorized is to make an act of contrition followed by this prayer:

O Lord, I am unable now to receive thee in the most Blessed Sacrament of the Altar, therefore I beseech thee, if you will it, to come spiritually into my heart and make it thy own forever.

I pray God bless you and grant you his spirit WokeUp.
Sincerely,
Iggy.
 
Inego_de_Loyola said:
I skipped over some posts but the “readers digest version” of the letter youngtrad linked to is the church has made no pronouncement on the practice of going up to receive a blessing, but an extraordinary minister could give no such blessing anyway, as blessings in the mass are reserved exclusively to the ordained. Further it is customary to give a proper blessing to all present shortly after communion so the point is moot anyhow. IMHO, seeing as how you will receive a blessing anyway, the time would be better spent making a spiritual communion. the version I have memorized is to make an act of contrition followed by this prayer:

O Lord, I am unable now to receive thee in the most Blessed Sacrament of the Altar, therefore I beseech thee, if you will it, to come spiritually into my heart and make it thy own forever.

I pray God bless you and grant you his spirit WokeUp.
Sincerely,
Iggy.
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getting a general blessing is IMHO similar to receiving general absolution, there is no substitute for personal confession and absolution just as receiving a blessing with the whole congregation while edifying is not the same as a personal blessing by the priest.
 
corsair said:
Are you planning on coming into the church soon?
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Yes! 🙂 Building a life of faith is incredibly important to me. I’ve spent too long trying to build my life around all the wrong things.🙂 I figure it’s about time I did something right.
 
Inego_de_Loyola said:
I skipped over some posts but the “readers digest version” of the letter youngtrad linked to is the church has made no pronouncement on the practice of going up to receive a blessing, but an extraordinary minister could give no such blessing anyway, as blessings in the mass are reserved exclusively to the ordained. Further it is customary to give a proper blessing to all present shortly after communion so the point is moot anyhow. IMHO, seeing as how you will receive a blessing anyway, the time would be better spent making a spiritual communion. the version I have memorized is to make an act of contrition followed by this prayer:

O Lord, I am unable now to receive thee in the most Blessed Sacrament of the Altar, therefore I beseech thee, if you will it, to come spiritually into my heart and make it thy own forever.

I pray God bless you and grant you his spirit WokeUp.
Sincerely,
Iggy.
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Thank you so much for your support, here and in another thread! 🙂 It means a lot.
 
WokeUp said:
I am unbaptised and I know that I can’t take communion but I don’t know what I am supposed to do instead. I usually have to work on Sundays so I’ve never had to face that problem, but I can go to church through the week according to my church’s schedule, so I need to know what the appropriate action is.

Do I just stay seated while everyone else goes and gets communion? That’s what my dad made me do once when I was 16 and the stares from others were so hard to handle.

I have a friend who is in the process of conversion who says that she just goes and gets communion anyway, even though she’s not supposed to yet, but I am pretty sure I would feel quite bad about that.

I’m just not entirely sure what the appropriate thing to do is.

Thanks!
Click to expand...
You MUST be baptised as a Catholic or go through RCIA if you were already baptised in the name of the trinity…such as I was babptised Lutheran. If you are baptised for example “In the name of Jesus” that is not a trinitarian baptism. Part of the beauty of RCIA is the wait…that call to move forward to be actually in communion with the Church. she needs to NOT be going to Communion. As was stated. it is NOT a requirement to receive communion. what is required once you are actually Catholc is to go to confession at least once a year (unless you have committed a mortal sin between that time), go to Mass on Sundays, and holy days of obligation (some people like nurses and police officers depending on where they live may not always have that option but they are not just chosing NOT to go. it’s their job requirement) AND receive communion once a year. I feel bad that your friend in RCIA is telling you to go to communion. Stay seated as suggested…maybe go up for a blessing, although some parishes are against it as it is a communion line, not a blessing line. then spend some time with the Lord in your heart as what was also suggested. Remeber even Paul wrote about being worthy to receive the body and blood of Christ. It’s not just for EVERYONE…Also, don’t worry about people staring at you…if they were concentrating on what they were doing (receiving the body of christ), then they should have no time to be wondering what your situation is. You want to stay out of mortal sin vs. avoiding stares from a few busy bodies. hope I was able to help. God bless.
 
Pope Benedict stated in his Apostolic Exhortation Sacramentum Caritatis #55:

"In their consideration of the actuosa participatio of the faithful in the liturgy… Clearly, full participation in the Eucharist takes place when the faithful approach the altar in person to receive communion. Yet true as this is, care must be taken lest they conclude that the mere fact of their being present in church during the liturgy gives them a right or even an obligation to approach the table of the Eucharist. Even in cases where it is not possible to receive sacramental communion, participation at Mass remains necessary, important, meaningful and fruitful.** In such circumstances it is beneficial to cultivate a desire for full union with Christ through the practice of spiritual communion, praised by Pope John Paul II and recommended by saints who were masters of the spiritual life.**.

One can recieve a plenary indulgence for making a Spiritual Communion.
A blessing is given to everyone at the end of Mass.

‘Spiritual Communion’: Youths learn a traditional concept the hard way
catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1103366.htm
 
christosdavid said:
and also the reason for this thread, but instead of a non-communicant taking the host he/she receives a blessing from God…via his representative in the church…
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You are quite right to confirm that blessings at mass are allowed, where Bishops have agreed that they may be given in their areas. In England and Wales, it is not only permitted but actively encouraged. I understand that the Vatican is looking at this issue now and is likely to confirm that this practice will continue. It is prudent to check what practice exists in particular areas before presenting oneself, though.
 
WokeUp said:
…
Do I just stay seated while everyone else goes and gets communion? That’s what my dad made me do once when I was 16 and the stares from others were so hard to handle.
…
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That’s sad that people stare at you. They should respect you for not going up. Are you sure that you are not imagining this though? I’m just wondering. You may be correct.

In most parishes and dioceses you are free to go up to the priest at communion time with your arms crossed and receive a blessing. If you have any doubt, then ask the priest before Mass.

This issue comes up quite frequently here in CAF and the same people keep saying that blessings at communion are not allowed, and always cite the private letter posted here as if it were the official opinion of the Church, when it is isn’t. They have been informed, over and over, of the commentary on this letter Blessings at Holy Communion, ROME, 24 MARCH 2009 (ZENIT) but ignore it. I wish these people would not interfere in something which is between you and your parish priest. It really is none of their business to tell anyone else to stay in their seat, or to go forward for a blessing. In general, either is allowed.
 
liturgyluver said:
You are quite right to confirm that blessings at mass are allowed, where Bishops have agreed that they may be given in their areas. In England and Wales, it is not only permitted but actively encouraged. I understand that the Vatican is looking at this issue now and is likely to confirm that this practice will continue. It is prudent to check what practice exists in particular areas before presenting oneself, though.
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I am with you and ChristoDavid, I think it is up to the individual Bishops on what they want to do. I personally don’t see it as a big deal, there is nothing wrong with recieving a blesssing just as there is nothing wrong with staying in the pew kneeling in prayer.

Personally, I think people who don’t take communion make a bigger deal of about what they think people are thinking of them then what others are actually thinking about them. For example, if someone in my Parish doesn’t take communion I figure they have their reasons and leave it at that. I don’t look down on them or wonder “what they did wrong,” I just figure they have their reasons and is between them and God. It has happened to me before that on some HD’s of Obligation, I would be at work and forget that it was an HD and start to eat my lunch then realize what the day was and run to Mass. Of course, since I didn’t fast I don’t take communion and I never feel judged for it. I just confess it and try to do better the next time.
 
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