Yearning for the Eucharist

[ivory]

As I have said before, I’m in the process of converting to Catholicism. I have not been baptized, and I have not received any Sacraments thus far. Therefore, I cannot yet receive the Eucharist. I very much wish that I could.

I don’t know how to describe it besides an intense desire. I seriously want to receive the Eucharist. When at Mass, I watch everyone else receive it, and I can’t help but feel left out. These people are receiving the Body and Blood of Christ, and I’m just receiving a blessing. I know that I have to be patient, but sometimes it really gets to me. Just this past Sunday, I was at several points on the verge of tears because of my desire to partake in something so beautiful. It sounds juvenile, I know, but those are my feelings.

Is there anything I can do besides wait for my classes and my baptism? I suppose that I can channel this desire and use it to motivate myself, but I’m not sure.

 

[Nigel7]

Understand that you are not alone. I will pray for you, Ivory, that God gives you the strength to endure to the day that you may receive communion with our Lord Jesus Christ. Pray the same for me, please.
I pray this prayer every day, and will remember you in this prayer.

Keep strong. Pray the Rosary every day, and pray for patience.

 

[underacloud]

It’s not juvenile at all. It is the great desire of the bride (us) to be united with the bridegroom (God). Your desire is wonderful!

You can offer your suffering to God and ask for it to be united to Christ’s sufferings. Your great desire, and endurance with patience, will be pleasing to God.

 

[on_eagles_wingz]

I see no reason why you can’t receive it now. There is no scripture that requires anything but believing in Christ. I understand that the church says one must confess first but the bible does not say that. Jesus implored us to partake in communion in his memory. In fact he requires it for salvation.

“Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you.” - John 6:53 NIV

 

[Phaedra777]

Can you not get baptized asap and then get the eucharist? do you need to wait for classes?

Converts to the Catholic faith do have to take the RCIA classes. The classes explain what Catholicism is. There is no ASAP baptism for potential converts. Why would one be baptized into a faith before learning about it?

 

[asd72]

I see no reason why you can’t receive it now. There is no scripture that requires anything but believing in Christ. I understand that the church says one must confess first but the bible does not say that. Jesus implored us to partake in communion in his memory. In fact he requires it for salvation.

“Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you.” - John 6:53 NIV

Jesus gave authority to the church. I live in a large city and could very easily go up and receive without anyone knowing I was not confirmed. It is obedience to the church which is obedience to God which leads me to know it would be eating and drinking judgement on myself.

 

[Phaedra777]

I see no reason why you can’t receive it now.

The OP is going through appropriate Catholic channels to join the Catholic Church. What you suggest is not at all in keeping with the Catholic protocol. In fact, if the OP took your advice, it would be a sin.

 

[guestseeking]

i want to recieve it too, i stopped taking it cause i found out you arent soposed to as a non confirmed person. it makes me upset sometimes. i dont want to say i didnt ever recieve it. but i want so much for others to know that i know who it is and the miracle and how precious that is that Christ offers himself as the sacrificial lamb and gives us Himself to take into our body and eat and drink that is Him and Holy without breaking laws on canibalism cause of his Miracle. but i have a hard time saying that it feels ok that i am not taking it now. i dont know why i cant. i dont understand why i cant when i know what it is. i dont know why the church wants to be sure i am not taking it in sacriledge. that i am in my heart part of the miracle with Christ. in Faith and Reality. I am not taking it and i am a bit upset about it. cause i dont know if i will ever join any body of believers in Christ on earth. or if i am just a misfit believer. I dont understand why i cant have the body and blood of Christ when i want to and know what it is like they do. I dont know what the rules are exactly except someone said not to. so i stopped and i havent participated in it for two years. i have moved arround alot. i dont live up there where they said not to. but the catholic church here is for sale and moving to the town next door. it takes two alteast hours to walk there. not thrilled but obeying now the ruls. but i dont understand. i dont even know what i have to beleive to be confirmed as a catholic. i agrree faith everything in the thing we confess at mass together about our faith. someone who wants to talk about the rules and things you have to aggree with so i can understand why it takes nine month to confirm please do so. i dont know.

 

[guestseeking]

all im saying is why can’t the appolgetictics give me a list of things i need to aggre with and submit to as a member aggreeing the catholic church as authority on earth? i’m not gonna go to a nine months class to make a person giving the class angry or have that pressure to say what wont offend. I dont understand why i have to learn the history of Jesus through the cathloic church when i know Jesus already. and the Bible says that Jesus said the things done in His people there isnt enough paper possilble to record them. so i can know Jesus without being Catholic but you put me in a troublesome possition when no one writes anything that are the things exact things i must promise i believe to be catholic. i’m not always good at knowing what “God told my heart” like people i grew up arround say. i need some help. but i am not goin to nine month classes without knowing is taught there. when all you need to do is atleast email me the ones that i have to whole heartedly aggree. i want to have Christ in Communion, I am not gonna lie to get it. but if i have no home but jesus and no church will take me in without harrassment cause of what we have in common now, then why wont anyone just tell me what i need to know? do you not believe i can be saved by the Blood and Body of Jesus Christ? is this lack of replys to my post cause you think like my father towards me? really i want to be wrong alittle, but if why cant someone tell me what they believe and promised and all? Cause i feel like i am being denied a church by humans. and this isnt how God wants it to be. Jesus saved me us that the problem? is that why no replies? no help? Not on earth but in heaven, that’s what you would like for me? in Heaven will i have a church with Christ, all thisis unessacary God did not make me sad. if I could hear him he would tell me plainly and he wouldnt take ninemonths. i am sure. that is a great suffering that God didnt make us to bear, that is unnessacary…and no one will take me if they know what i believe that isnt catholic, so seeing your the last church that follows Christ please inform me what i must absolutely believe to be catholic so i can decide if i will take the classes contrary to what i dont intend. if you cant see jesus in me, see the sinner in me who needs Jesus and do not Deny Me Jesus. please. it may of been longer than two years. but i never know how long i will live in one place and i am poor. and it would not be wise to go into those classes un prepared. why i cant post on a apologetics where they can help me theyre trained to right? am i too unworthy of the grace and mercy in the fathers sacrifice and in jesus the sacrifice to be given answers? by people who care if i am part of them or not?

 

[guestseeking]

that’s it i just read a post where a knowledgable person told someone if op took your advice it would be a sin…if Jesus says take the eucharist i will take the eucharist in a church that i visit that isnt catholic with my heart knowing what it is and who it is and why it is the body and blood and all, if Jesus says so who on earth has authority to tell me or anyone else no wait till you go through PROTOCOL. i am angry and i know the tears will come. but i am not bowing down to no man. why i didnt tkae it for about two years or more? and Jesus does require it i remember, but i dont think i can handle this. some one thinking that they understand pentecost because of what i gained that was truth about Mary before it, if they dont know that God all in history ever wanted what for his people to let God be there every need. and that was passover, and that his spirit is for us the comforter within us after penecost. well point i am deeply hurt by this more i read. on me not taking it and other like me and rules that are made by GOD or man? cause i wont challenge God like i would challenge a man who wronged me. any ways this is silly you cant keep Jesus from me he wont. what is serious is that i dont want to trust you as a church now.

 

[guestseeking]

that’s it i just read a post where a knowledgable person told someone if op took your advice it would be a sin…if Jesus says take the eucharist i will take the eucharist in a church that i visit that isnt catholic with my heart knowing what it is and who it is and why it is the body and blood and all, if Jesus says so who on earth has authority to tell me or anyone else no wait till you go through PROTOCOL. i am angry and i know the tears will come. but i am not bowing down to no man. why i didnt tkae it for about two years or more? and Jesus does require it i remember, but i dont think i can handle this. some one thinking that they understand pentecost because of what i gained that was truth about Mary before it, if they dont know that God all in history ever wanted what for his people to let God be there every need. and that was passover, and that his spirit is for us the comforter within us after penecost. well point i am deeply hurt by this more i read. on me not taking it and other like me and rules that are made by GOD or man? cause i wont challenge God like i would challenge a man who wronged me. any ways this is silly you cant keep Jesus from me he wont. what is serious is that i dont want to trust you as a church now.

and the sad part is there is no other church i can join. i have to just visit. and i never got to know the catechism rules i was soposed to learn to decide. because you broke my heart with the Eucharist which when it is Holy it is for me too!!!

 

[JRKH]

Guestseeking,

I did not read all through your posts but I suggest you contact your local pastor and discuss this with him. He is the one who will be able to answer your questions.

Please don’t continue to deny yourself the Gift of the Eucharist. If, as you say, you already know, then the priest might simply ask you some questions to see if what you “know” is, indeed, proper understanding. If you have, or can get, your Baptismal certificate that demonstrates you were baptized Catholic that would be of great help too.

But please do contact your local priest.

peace
James

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

As I have said before, I’m in the process of converting to Catholicism. I have not been baptized, and I have not received any Sacraments thus far. Therefore, I cannot yet receive the Eucharist. I very much wish that I could.

This yearning is a grace from God. Cherish it. And use it to motivate you when the process starts to seem long.

Have you heard of a spiritual communion? This is a way of uniting yourself with the Eucharist even though you are not yet able to receive it. You might say a prayer like this one:

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.

Can you not get baptized asap and then get the eucharist? do you need to wait for classes?

As Catholics, we don’t make up our own rules but follow the process the Church has set down for us. The process the Church has given us is called the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. The stages of RCIA include instruction, formation, and prayer as well as rites such as the Rite of Acceptance where one becomes a catechumen and the Rite of Election with the bishop. The Church says that adults are baptized, confirmed, and receive their First Communion at the Easter Vigil unless they are in danger of death.

 

[chipeto]

I am in the same situation as the OP, except that I was baptized non-Catholic, so I only have to wait until the end of January.

I too have a great desire for the Eucharist, and for Reconciliation. I am still locked into a habit of sin, though, and this worries me greatly.

 

[chipeto]

Haven’t people joined the catholic church in the past without classes, tho?

Yes, but nowadays the Church more-or-less requires RCIA for the unbaptized, provided it is available in the area.

forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=12160
forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=556509
forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=458485

 

[guestseeking]

Guestseeking,

I did not read all through your posts but I suggest you contact your local pastor and discuss this with him. He is the one who will be able to answer your questions.

Please don’t continue to deny yourself the Gift of the Eucharist. If, as you say, you already know, then the priest might simply ask you some questions to see if what you “know” is, indeed, proper understanding. If you have, or can get, your Baptismal certificate that demonstrates you were baptized Catholic that would be of great help too.

But please do contact your local priest.

peace
James

i’m sorry i was bieng a bit of a baby and a drama queen. i reacted based on emotion i didnt think it out. i am not goin to a pastor. they dont know who Mary is they hardly understand how not to judge me on things they cant see i know by faith in Jesus. i am not givin up exactly, i know who baptised me and i can find out where cause it was in lowell mass so it had to be St. Mary’s or St. Joseph’s unless it were St. Micheals. definitely St. Mary’s or one of the other two. and Father Manning Baptised me before he retired long before. that much i know. i dont know anything about certificates of baptism, you think my parents would even have those things when they didnt even tell me i was baptised catholic til i was an adult?

 

[guestseeking]

i’m copying and pasting that prayer thank you for the sharing the prayer.

This yearning is a grace from God. Cherish it. And use it to motivate you when the process starts to seem long.

Have you heard of a spiritual communion? This is a way of uniting yourself with the Eucharist even though you are not yet able to receive it. You might say a prayer like this one:

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.

As Catholics, we don’t make up our own rules but follow the process the Church has set down for us. The process the Church has given us is called the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. The stages of RCIA include instruction, formation, and prayer as well as rites such as the Rite of Acceptance where one becomes a catechumen and the Rite of Election with the bishop. The Church says that adults are baptized, confirmed, and receive their First Communion at the Easter Vigil unless they are in danger of death.

 

[JRKH]

i’m sorry i was bieng a bit of a baby and a drama queen. i reacted based on emotion i didnt think it out. i am not goin to a pastor. they dont know who Mary is they hardly understand how not to judge me on things they cant see i know by faith in Jesus. i am not givin up exactly, i know who baptised me and i can find out where cause it was in lowell mass so it had to be St. Mary’s or St. Joseph’s unless it were St. Micheals. definitely St. Mary’s or one of the other two. and Father Manning Baptised me before he retired long before. that much i know. i dont know anything about certificates of baptism, you think my parents would even have those things when they didnt even tell me i was baptised catholic til i was an adult?

You can ask your parents and if they do not have the certificate they can likely tell which of the three Churches it was. Then you only need contact the parish and they can send you a copy.
We had to do this a few years ago for my wife who was 69 at the time and we had to send out of state - to Iowa - for hers…

As for the other matters…I suggest you just calm down, stop painting things with such a broad brush, and do what you need to do to get properly to the sacrament. If that means a simple sit down with a priest? Great. If it means taking some prep classes? demonstrate your obedience to Christ and attend. In either case, by this time next year you will be in full communion able to receive regularly.

Good Luck

Peace
James

 

[TrueLight]

Hello Ivory,

I know exactly how you’re feeling because I went through the same thing. You can see my ramblings and frustrations in this thread. Hopefully, it will bring you some comfort to know you are not alone.

Not Being Able to Take Communion is Killing me

What helped me was to pray some of the communion prayers found in my missal while everyone went up to receive.

One of my favorite prayers is the Prayer of St Bonaventure

Pierce, O most sweet Lord Jesus, my inmost soul with the most joyous and healthful wound of Thy love, and with true, calm and most holy apostolic charity, that my soul may ever languish and melt with entire love and longing for Thee, may yearn for Thee and for thy courts, may long to be dissolved and to be with Thee.
Grant that my soul may hunger after Thee, the Bread of Angels, the refreshment of holy souls, our daily and super substantial bread, having all sweetness and savor and every delightful taste.

May my heart ever hunger after and feed upon Thee, Whom the angels desire to look upon, and may my inmost soul be filled with the sweetness of Thy savor; may it ever thirst for Thee, the fountain of life, the fountain of wisdom and knowledge, the fountain of eternal light, the torrent of pleasure, the fullness of the house of God; may it ever compass Thee, seek Thee, find Thee, run to Thee, come up to Thee, meditate on Thee, speak of Thee, and do all for the praise and glory of Thy name, with humility and discretion, with love and delight, with ease and affection, with perseverance to the end; and be Thou alone ever my hope, my entire confidence, my riches, my delight, my pleasure, my joy, my rest and tranquility, my peace, my sweetness, my food, my refreshment, my refuge, my help, my wisdom, my portion, my possession, my treasure; in Whom may my mind and my heart be ever fixed and firm and rooted immovably. Amen.

 

[ivory]

Thanks for the advice, everyone. I hope to become baptized as soon as I can. My plans were delayed for a while due to distance and the fact I didn’t have a car, but they’re back on track. I’m going to be submitting the required paperwork shortly and formally begin my quest to join the Church.

And TrueLight, I hope I will have half the enthusiasm and solidity of faith that you do, if your description is of any indication. I’m struggling every inch of the way, and I feel truly blessed that I’ve held on to it like I have.