Eucharist
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Holy Communion
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The Sacrament of Holy Eucharist is the third of the Sacraments of Initiation. Even though we are required to receive Communion at least once per year (our Easter Duty), and the Church urges us to receive Communion frequently (even daily, if possible), it is called a Sacrament of Initiation because, like Baptism and Confirmation, it brings us into the fullness of our life in Christ.
In Holy Communion, we are eating the True Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, without which "you shall not have life in you" (John 6:53).
Preparing for the Sacrament of Holy Communion:
A fast of all food and drink except for water for one hour is required before reception of the Holy Eucharist. Because of the intimate connection of the Sacrament of Holy Communion to our life in Christ, we must be free of any grave or mortal sin before receiving it, as St. Paul explained in 1 Corinthians 11:27-29.
“Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the Body and Blood of the Lord. A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the Bread and drinks of the Cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the Body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself”.
If we are aware of having committed a mortal sin, we must participate in the Sacrament of Confession first. The Church sees the two sacraments as connected, and urges us, when we can, to join frequent Confession with frequent Communion.
Biblical references: Jn 6:35-71; Mt 26:26ff; 1 Cor 10:16; 1 Cor 11:23-29; Ex 12:8,46; Jn 1:29; 1 Cor 5:7; Jn 4:31-34; Matt 16:5-12; 1 Cor 2:14-3:4; Ps 27:2; Is 9:18-20; Is 49:26; Mic 3:3; 2 Sam 23:15-17; Rev 17:6,16
The Eucharist is the all and all of Christian life. The remaining sacraments are connected with the Eucharist. For in the Holy Eucharist is contained the total spiritual good of the Church, namely Christ.
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Receiving the Sacrament of the Eucharist
Sacrament of the Eucharist/Communion is first offered in the Parish of Mary Queen of Saints to both parochial school and CCD Faith Formation children in the 2nd grade during the Easter season. Students must complete first grade religious education and be active in 2nd grade religious education. Candidates must be baptized; if not, then baptized immediately before First Eucharist. Candidates must also receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation before First Holy Communion.
The Sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation are also celebrated at the Easter Vigil Mass for candidates in the RCIA and RCIC programs.
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The guidelines for receiving Communion are:
FOR CATHOLICS
As Catholics, we fully participate in the celebration of the Eucharist when we receive Holy Communion. We are encouraged to receive Communion devoutly and frequently. In order to be properly disposed to receive Communion, participants should not be conscious of grave sin and normally should have fasted for one hour. A person who is conscious of grave sin is not to receive the Body and Blood of the Lord without prior sacramental confession except for a grave reason where there is no opportunity for confession. In this case, the person is to be mindful of the obligation to make an act of perfect contrition, including the intention of confessing as soon as possible (Code of Canon Law, canon 916). A frequent reception of the Sacrament of Penance is encouraged for all.
FOR OUR FELLOW CHRISTIANS
We welcome our fellow Christians to this celebration of the Eucharist as our brothers and sisters. We pray that our common baptism and the action of the Holy Spirit in this Eucharist will draw us closer to one another and begin to dispel the sad divisions which separate us. We pray that these will lessen and finally disappear, in keeping with Christ's prayer for us "that they may all be one" (John 17:21). Because Catholics believe that the celebration of the Eucharist is a sign of the reality of the oneness of faith, life, and worship, members of those churches with whom we are not yet fully united are ordinarily not admitted to Holy Communion. Eucharistic sharing in exceptional circumstances by other Christians requires permission according to the directives of the diocesan bishop and the provisions of canon law (canon 844 ß 4). Members of the Orthodox Churches , the Assyrian Church of the East, and the Polish National Catholic Church are urged to respect the discipline of their own churches. According to Roman Catholic discipline, the Code of Canon Law does not object to the reception of communion by Christians of these Churches (canon 844 ß 3).
FOR THOSE NOT RECEIVING HOLY COMMUNION
All who are not receiving Holy Communion are encouraged to express in their hearts a prayerful desire for unity with the Lord Jesus and with one another.
FOR NON-CHRISTIANS
We also welcome to this celebration those who do not share our faith in Jesus Christ. While we cannot admit them to Holy Communion, we ask them to offer their prayers for the peace and the unity of the human family.Copyright © 1996 United States Catholic Conference. All rights reserved.
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The Eucharist
The mission of this video is to help deepen the viewers understanding of the Last Supper, Christ's claims and Commandments, as well as Eucharistic Typology and the Paschal Mystery.
(The video is part of a service from the Sophia Intstitute for Teachers.)
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