Eucharist
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Review of Reception of Holy Communion - by Fr. Tim 01/31/21
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MY CONCERNS ABOUT THE RECEPTION OF HOLY COMMUNION Over the past months I have become increasingly concerned about the lack of care and reverence regarding the reception of Holy Communion in the hand by some. I felt that it was time for me to address my concerns and seek correction to this serious matter. I do not believe that anyone is intentionally trying to be careless or irreverent in how they receive Holy Communion, but nonetheless it has been happening.
PRIOR TO COMING FORWARD TO RECEIVE HOLY COMMUNION
The reception of Holy Communion is not an automatic part of the Mass that all participate in, like the sign of the cross. A person must examine their conscience prior to coming forward to receive Holy Communion to make certain that they are not in a state of serious sin. If a person is in serious or mortal sin, they must confess that sin(s) to a priest in the sacrament of Penance before receiving Holy Communion. If a person does not confess mortal sin and receives Holy Communion, they are, as St. Paul states, bringing a condemnation upon themselves. If we receive Holy Communion while in a state of mortal sin were are eating and drinking our spiritual death. Also, it is not for us to make a judgment as to why a person does not receive Holy Communion at Mass. Another reason why a person might not receive Holy Communion at Mass is if they have violated the hour fast prior to receiving Holy Communion. The Eucharistic fast means to abstain from any food or drink (including coffee or tea), with the exception of water one hour prior to receiving the sacrament.
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COMMUNION ON THE TONGUE OR IN THE HAND In the Latin Rite Church, the norm for reception of Holy Communion is on the tongue. This means that the Church prefers this. Rome has given permission for Catholics in the United States to receive Holy Communion in the hand provided they observe the proper protocol.
HOW TO RECEIVE HOLY COMMUNION IN THE HAND When coming forward to receive Holy Communion our focus should be on who it is that we are about to receive. Our hands should be folded.
A bow of reverence is to be made to the Blessed Sacrament prior to reception of Holy Communion.
The communicant is to use both hands to form a throne by which to receive the Blessed Sacrament.
When the priest or deacon presents to us the sacrament and says: “the body of Christ”, the communicant responds: “Amen”.
The priest or deacon reverently places Holy Communion in the hands of the communicant.
The communicant standing before the priest or deacon then places Holy Communion into their mouth before they begin to walk. This lessens the chances of dropping the sacrament on the floor.
They may make the sign of the cross and return to their seat and offer a prayer of thanksgiving.
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TWO HANDS MUST BE USED TO RECEIVE HOLY COMMUNION If you do not have two hands available to use, you should not receive Holy Communion in the hand. The reason being it violates the directives given to us by the Church, and it highly increases the probability of dropping the Blessed Sacrament on the floor. Also the communicant is not to grab the Holy Eucharist; it is to be given to them by the priest or deacon
WHAT TO DO IF THE HOLY EUCHARIST IS DROPPED ON THE FLOOR For me these are always shocking moments. Everything should stop. The priest or the deacon should pick up the sacrament, not the communicant. He will then re-present the communicant with the sacrament.
FACE MASKS Face masks must be removed prior to receiving Holy Communion. If not, it creates another potential risk of the communicant dropping the Blessed Sacrament on the floor while trying to maneuver their mask.
SLOW DOWN There should be no rush to receive Holy Communion. I encourage you to slow down and take your time. Please remember what you are receiving is Jesus, our Savior, our Redeemer, the King of Heaven and earth who has humbled himself to become our food and drink for eternal life.Thank you for taking the time to read this important article.
Fr. Tim
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The Sunday Eucharistic Fast
Are you aware that in our preparations to receive Holy Communion at Mass that there is a period of fasting required in order to worthily receive the Sacrament? This is what Church Law (Canon Law) states:
Canon 919 paragraph 1
“One who is to receive the Most Holy Eucharist is to abstain from any food or drink, with the exception of water and medicine, for at least the period of one hour before Holy Communion.”
The Eucharistic fast reminds us that what we are about to receive is Jesus himself and not bread and wine and that we must hunger for him who alone can satisfy our deepest hunger.
In the not so distant past, the Eucharistic fast began from midnight on. The current required one hour fast is not a hardship. If we break the Eucharistic fast, then we should refrain from receiving Holy Communion.
There is another obstacle to receiving Holy Communion worthily as is noted in Canon Law.
Canon 916
A person who is conscious of grave sin is not to celebrate Mass or to receive the Body of the Lord without prior sacramental confession unless a grave reason is present and there is no opportunity of confession; in this case the person is to be mindful of the obligation to make an act of perfect contrition, including the intention of confession as soon as possible.”
To receive the Most Holy Eucharist in a state of grave sin is to inflict great personal pain to Jesus. To receive Holy Communion in Mass is not an automatic part of the ritual. If one is afraid not to go get in the Communion line for fear of what others might think is to forget the grave harm that we are imposing upon Jesus. Which is more important: to worry about what others think, or to fear hurting Jesus? I think that we know the answer to this question.
To receive the Most Holy Eucharist is not a right, it is the supreme gift of Jesus given to his Church in order to feed and sustain her on her earthly journey towards eternity. The very first sin committed against Jesus in the Holy Eucharist was at the first Mass on Holy Thursday by one of his apostles: Judas. Let us not follow in his footsteps. And let us not take the Most Holy Eucharist for granted.
Fr. Tim
Click HERE to Read: The Worthy Reception of Holy Communion
by Fr. Tim Krzyzaniak
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Watch Bishop Wack's video on the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist
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With the Eucharist, therefore, heaven comes down to earth, the tomorrow of God descends into the present and it is as if time remains embraced by divine eternity –Pope Benedict XVI
First Holy Eucharist – this Sacrament normally takes place the month of May for children who are in 2nd Grade. See Faith Formation - 2nd Grade for full information on St. Catherine’s 2nd grade class.Adults who have never received their first Holy Eucharist would typically prepare for this Sacrament through RCIA.
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