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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT CATHOLIC COMMUNION
Abbreviations for Catholic sources:
CCC Catechism of the Catholic Church. Numbers refer to paragraph numbers.
CCL Code of Canon Law. Numbers refer to canon numbers.
FCD Fundamentals of Catholic Dogma, Ludwig Ott. 2nd Edition, 1957. Numbers refer to page numbers.
Questions:
What is the definition of Communion?
Communion refers to two things.
First it refers to the unity of faith of Catholics. If someone is in "communion" with the Catholic Church, that means they are baptized in the Church, or have been received into the Church, uphold all the doctrines of the faith, and are not separated from her through schism (i.e. outward rejection of church authority, such as her bishops).(CCC. 949).
Secondly, and more commonly, it refers to the sacrament of the Eucharist. (CCC 1331).
Yes. The Eucharist is the sacrament of Catholic unity. The Church teaches that unity consists of:
As well as visible signs such as:
Examples of each:
Schismatics: those who follow bishops who were not licitly ordained, e.g. Lefebvrists.
Apostates: Catholics who convert from Catholicism to another religion, e.g. Judaism, Islam.
Heretics: Catholics who consciously deny defined dogmas such as those on Mary, the Eucharist, the Church, Christ, etc.
The Incredulous: Catholics who deny teachings which are not dogmas, but which the faithful are bound to assent to. e.g. Catholics who consciously reject the teachings on homosexuality and contraception. Since Communion is the sacrament of unity of faith, it would be illogical for a Catholic who persistently sins in accepting the faith to accept Communion. (CCL 915)
What does Communion, as a sacrament, consist of?
Communion consists of the consecration of bread and wine into the body and blood of Jesus Christ for consumption by the faithful. (CCC 1333) For a valid and licit performance of the sacrament, a validly ordained priest (FCD 397) must consecrate wheaten bread and grape wine (CCL 924, #2, 3) with the words "this is my body" and "this is my blood" (FCD 392-393).This occurs during the celebration of Mass.
The bread and the wine each become the body and blood of Jesus Christ. (CCC 1333) Since Christ is completely present in each of the species (FCD 385) it is not necessary for the faithful to receive both the wine and the host.
What do Catholics believe about the nature of the Eucharist?
It is a dogma of the faith that the bread and the wine become the body and blood of Jesus Christ.
Catholics are also bound to believe in transubstantiation, which differs slightly from the beliefs of the Orthodox and other churches with apostolic succession. Transubstantiation is the belief that the host and wine retain the "accidents" of their substance (FCD 379-382).. An accident is a quality that is not essential to the object in order for it to be what it is. For example, it is not necessary for a dog to be a specific color in order for it to be a dog. A dog is still a dog whether it is black or white. An orange does not have to taste sweet in order for it to be an orange. It can be under-ripe and sour. And so forth. Catholics believe that the host and the wine retain their accidents while transforming by nature into the body and blood of Christ (FCD 383). So the host is not longer really a host, but the body of Christ, and the wine is no longer the wine but the blood of Christ. They look the same but have a different reality.
Since the bread is truly converted into the body of Christ, the host must be revered and adored as Christ himself. (CCC 1378)
The Church teaches that the Eucharist is necessary for salvation. But as Ludwig Ott says "it is not necessary by an absolute necessity of means (necessitas medii), but by a relative or moral necessity. A Christian who freely neglects for a long time the reception of the Blessed Sacrament, is morally unable to preserve himself in the state of grace for any long time. Cf. John 6,53. It follows from the definition of the purpose of the Eucharist as nourishment for the soul, that without it supernatural life cannot be permanently maintained. " (FCD 397)
What are some of the effect of receiving Communion?
Only Catholics who are initiated into the sacrament (i.e. have performed their "First Communion") and who are in a state of grace may receive Communion. (CCC 1385). As mentioned above, apostates, schismatics, heretics or those obstinate in their errors may not receive Communion.
May non-Catholics receive Communion?
Non-Christians and Christians who belong to churches without valid apostolic succession or valid sacraments (i.e. Protestants) may not receive Communion. This is because they do not meet the requirements for ecclesiastical community stated above. They do not have validly ordained ministers, nor valid sacraments, nor do they profess substantially the same faith as Catholics. (CCC 1400).
Eastern Orthodox may receive Communion in special circumstances, provided that the local bishops approves (CCC 1399).
Isn't it unfair for the Church to refuse Protestants Communion?
No it is not unfair. Communion may only be received according to certain divine requirements. If a Protestant met these requirement, and the Church denied them communion, that would be unfair. These requirements are not Church rules, but divine obligations.
The Eucharist is not merely a symbol for Catholics; it's not just a celebration of charity; it's a sacrament of union with Christ and other faithful. If the faithful who receive communion are not of one mind and body, then the sacrament loses its Catholic meaning.
The only exception is if a non-Catholic is in danger of death and professes his Catholic faith. In this case, he may receive communion without further ado.
Is it obligatory for a Catholic to receive Communion?
Yes. At the very least, Catholics must receive Communion once a year during Easter time (CCL 920). This canon is intended for Catholics who live very far away from their parishes and cannot attend Sunday Mass on a regular basis.
Catholics are also obligated under pain of mortal sin to attend Sunday Mass and receive the Eucharist unless a serious reason excuses them, such as illness or the care of infants.(CCC 2181)
The Eucharist is normally required for salvation. A person who foregoes his Sunday obligation without a valid and serious reason commits a mortal sin.
A Catholic may only receive Communion once a day, unless he is in danger of death (CCL 917; CCL. 921, #2).
What is the Eucharistic Sacrifice?
The Eucharistic Sacrifice is, in essence, the sacrifice of Christ on the cross (CCC 1366-1367). When Jesus offered his body and blood at the last Supper, he had not yet offered himself on the cross, but he was in essence offering the same sacrifice as on the cross. Since Christ's sacrifice on the cross transcends time and is present in every age, that one and same sacrifice can be offered up on behalf of the people by the priest. Catholics, in essence, offer up Jesus all the while being united to him. (FCD 468).
What is the proper etiquette for a non-Catholic who attends Mass?
Non-Catholics should sit and stand when Catholics do the same. If their convictions do not allow them to stand, then they may remain seated. Non-Catholics do not have to kneel, although it would be more fitting if they did.
When it is time for Communion, Non-Catholics should remain seated while Catholics line up. It is highly inappropriate for a non-Catholic to attempt to receive the Eucharist.
At what age do Catholics begin to receive Communion?
In the Western world, the normal age for reception is 7-9 years of age. In Eastern rites, communion is often given to babies right after baptism.
What are some appropriate gifts for a child for a First Communion?
Any Catholic religious item is appropriate.
Some examples:
Rosary
Statuettes
Prie-Dieu (kneeler with a place to rest your hands)
Ikons or images
Prayer cards
Religious medals
Rosary ring
Crucifix or Cross
A Bible (preferably a Catholic version)
Catholic books and Videos on saints, the Mass, Bible stories etc (check with a faithful Catholic to make certain that they are consistent with the faith). Especially pertinent are themes associated with the Eucharist, e.g. saints who had a special love for the Eucharist, the Last Supper, Old Testament stories that foreshadow the Eucharist, e.g. Moses and the Manna from heaven, etc.
Can I give non-Catholic religious items such as Dream Catchers, Buddhas, crystals, etc?
They are totally inappropriate.
Other than that, there are no hard and fast rules about First Communion gifts. Ideally, it should be a gift that does not distract from the meaning of the day. Cold hard cash is a perennial favourite among children, but it's not terribly meaningful. A toy for a child is enjoyable, but it has nothing to do with this important step in his life. Try to find items that bear some relation to the meaning of the day. For instance, a journal or diary might be a good idea for an adult, who could then use it as a means to meditate and reflect.
May a divorced and remarried Catholic receive Communion?
A Catholic who was first married in the Catholic Church, then divorces and re-marries in civil ceremony, without obtaining an annulment for his first union, is committing a mortal sin (CCC 2384).
In order to receive communion, a Catholic in this situation must renounce sexual relations except those with his first spouse and then confess his sin to a priest. The penitent may investigate the possibility of obtaining an annulment for his first union, but until that annulment is obtained, he may not have sexual relations with his second partner.
Such difficult situations always require discussion with a priest because he may or may not require you to move out of the home entirely.
May a person engaging in homosexual relations receive Communion?
Homosexual acts are mortal sins. (2357). Those in a state of mortal sin cannot receive Communion (CCC 1385).
Gays who do not engage in homosexual activity and who accept the teaching of the Church may receive communion in good conscience.
Can a Catholic living in concubinage (aka "living in sin") receive Communion?
No. "Free unions" are mortal sins, and the catechism specifically states that living in such a condition excludes one from sacramental communion. (CCC 2390)
Can a pro-choice Catholic receive Communion?
A Catholic who obstinately rejects Church teaching on abortion has no moral right to receive Communion. Pope John Paul II in Evangelium Vitae declared the Church teaching on abortion to be binding on the faithful.
Can potential converts receive Communion?
No. Only those who were baptized into the Catholic faith, or who were formally received into the Church may receive Communion. The only exception is if the potential convert is in danger of death and professes the Catholic faith.
Can a woman who has obtained an abortion receive Communion?
If the woman has not confessed her sin, no she may not. Abortion is considered among the gravest sins, and one of the few sins that incur automatic excommunication (CCL 1398). Such a sin is reserved to the bishop, although many bishops choose to allow women to confess to parish priests. Consult your local priest for more information on local requirements.
The same is true of those who assisted in the abortion, and helped a woman obtain an abortion, including those who knowingly drive the woman to the abortuary and those who pay for it. Consult your local priest for more information.
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