Why can't a non-Catholic Christian recieve the Eucharist?

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A good friend is a strong christian. She feels excluded at a Catholic Mass, because she can not recieve Christ in the Eucharist. She sees others go up, but she does not want to break the Catholic rules. How do I explain this to her?
 
shartings said:
A good friend is a strong christian. She feels excluded at a Catholic Mass, because she can not recieve Christ in the Eucharist. She sees others go up, but she does not want to break the Catholic rules. How do I explain this to her?
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Catechism (No.1396), is that the holy Eucharist makes the Church: ''Those who receive the Eucharist are united more closely to Christ. Through it, Christ unites them to all the faithful in one body — the Church. Communion renews, strengthens and deepens this incorporation into the Church, already achieved by baptism." Therefore, the reception of holy Communion truly unites in communion the Catholic faithful who share the same faith, doctrinal teachings, traditions, sacraments and leadership.
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Communion comes from the word community. We as Catholics are united in our Faith and Holy Communion is a symbol of that unity.

For non-Catholics to receive, would show a sign of unity which unfortunately, does not exist.

If your friend does believe in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist and feels a call to receive, then invite her to become a member of the Church.

for a more complete explanation go here;

catholic.com/library/Who_Can_Receive_Communion.asp

Jim
 
shartings said:
A good friend is a strong christian. She feels excluded at a Catholic Mass, because she can not recieve Christ in the Eucharist. She sees others go up, but she does not want to break the Catholic rules. How do I explain this to her?
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Dear shartings,

May God be with you!

If she really believes it is Christ, then she should come into FULL communion with His Church and become Catholic. To do otherwise blasphemes the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Christ.

God bless you!
 
I agree with the replies. My prayer is that she may someday. I was hoping to explain further to her this mystery. It is hard to do, only God knows the full answer.
 
shartings said:
A good friend is a strong christian. She feels excluded at a Catholic Mass, because she can not recieve Christ in the Eucharist. She sees others go up, but she does not want to break the Catholic rules. How do I explain this to her?
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She is not fully united to His Mystical Body the Church, so she cannot be fully united to Him in Holy Communion either.
 
According to canon 844 of the C.I.C., to receive a sacrament in the Catholic Church as a protestant, you must have the Catholic faith about that sacrament, and it has to be gravely necessary. The Catholic faith about the Eucharist includes the fact that it has to be consecrated by a validly ordained priest, that is, a Catholic or Orthodox priest. So in order to receive the Catholic Eucharist as a protestant, you must also believe that the Eucharist in the protestant Churches are not valid. And if you believe that, why would you still be protestant?

My question is what the exceptions could be. How could you have the Catholic faith about the Eucharist without wanting to be a Catholic?
 
The above answers are correct. But also remind your friend that Generally in order for Catholics to Recieve the Eucharist they must follow the precepts of the Church.One of the precepts is going to confession Once per year…(I believe it is the second precept).

There is a host of reasons but not being able to go to confession is one of them.
 
You might try explaining that in many Protestant communities, Communion is a means of building unity. To us, the Eucharist is the fruit of that hoped-for unity. And since she is (presumably) not in communion with all that Holy Mother Church teaches, her receiving Eucharist would be presenting an untruth to the parish, and Our Lord.

She is, in a way, prevented from receiving Our Lord in the Eucharist for her own good- so she isn’t standing before Him, saying things that she doesn’t mean. To lie to Jesus’ face would be a terrible thing indeed.
 
Ask her if she believes that the Eucharist is the body and blood of Christ. If she says no, tell her receiving would be a lie.

If she says yes, tell her about RCIA. --KCT
 
KCT said:
Ask her if she believes that the Eucharist is the body and blood of Christ. If she says no, tell her receiving would be a lie.

If she says yes, tell her about RCIA. --KCT
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I am actually embarrassed I didn’t think of saying this very thing. KCT is dead on:thumbsup:
 
Here are a couple of relevant passages from scripture:

1.) From the institution of the ordinance of the passover…“And when a stranger shall sojourn with you and would keep the passover to the Lord, let all his males be circumcised, then he may come near and keep it; he shall be as a native of the land. But no uncircumcised person shall eat of it. There shall be one law for the native and for the stranger who sojourns among you.” (Ex. 12:48-49)

2.) A more obvious warning from Paul…“Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of profaning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a man examine himself, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For any one who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment upon himself.” (1 Cor 11: 27-29)

As can be seen in these scripture passages, the Catholic Church is in fact maintaining the ordinances handed down by God in this manner. The Church is not trying to deny anyone this sacrament, but rather wants the participant to be adequately educated and prepared for what they are truly receiving.

rocketrob
 
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