During the October 23rd meeting of the parish’s extraordinary Eucharistic ministers, the ministers surfaced to me questions, concerns, and areas of confusion regarding reception of Holy Communion at Mass. As a result of our discussion, we felt that it would be good to do a bulletin article to clarify many of these issues for parishioners. In that light, the following are important points to keep in mind when receiving communion.

While all people are welcome at the Eucharistic celebration or Mass, only Catholics may receive Holy Communion. Receiving Holy Communion signifies oneness of faith, which unfortunately we do not completely possess with our brothers and sisters in Christ of other Christian traditions or with good people of other faiths. We must continue to pray for the day when religious beliefs will no longer divide us—for that day when we will all be one in Christ Jesus.

A Catholic who intends to receive communion should fast one hour before communion from all food and drink with the exception of water and medication.

One should examine one’s conscience before Mass. Anyone in the state of mortal sin must receive the sacrament of reconciliation before receiving Holy Communion. On the other hand, one should not allow one’s venial sins to prevent one from receiving communion. Holy communion "wipes away venial sins" (Catechism of the Catholic Church [CCC] par. no. 1394).

Divorced Catholics who are not remarried and are otherwise in the state of grace may receive communion. Catholics who were divorced, had their marriage annulled, and are remarried in the Church may receive communion. Catholics who are married only once yet married outside the Church should not receive communion until they have had their marriage validated by the Church.

"The faithful, if they have the required dispositions, [may and, in fact, should] receive communion each time they participate in the Mass" (CCC 1388). The Archdiocesan Policies book states, "A person may receive the Eucharist daily. The Eucharist may be received a second (but not third) time on the same day during the celebration of the Mass" (p. I-1).

The following are important points to keep in mind when receiving Holy Communion.

If one intends to receive Communion in the hand, one should make sure one’s hands are washed before Mass. Parents should insure that their children’s hands are washed. If at Communion time one’s hands are dirty or marred (for instance, with dried paint or ink stains), one should receive Communion on the tongue.

In receiving Communion, "bodily demeanor (gestures, clothing) ought to convey the respect, solemnity, and joy of this moment when Christ becomes our guest" (CCC 1387). Please dress appropriately for Mass, and please process reverently to and from Communion.

When you face the presider, deacon, concelebrant, or Extraordinary Eucharistic minister, indicate clearly how you wish to receive the host—whether on the tongue or in the hand.

To receive a blessing instead of Communion, cross your arms over your chest and bow your head.

To receive the host on the tongue, keep your hands folded, respond "Amen!" to "The Body of Christ," and then open your mouth and stick out your tongue all the way, so that the Communion minister can easily place the host on your tongue.

To receive Communion in the hand, open your hands until they are nearly flat with one hand underneath the other and raise your hands until they are at chest level. Respond "Amen!" to the "Body of Christ." The Communion minister will then place the host on the palm of your hand (do not take it). Step to the side and place the host in your mouth in view of the minister.

A pyx, the receptacle used for carrying the Eucharist to the sick, should never be filled in Communion line, but placed on the altar before Mass begins and picked up immediately after Mass. Only extraordinary Eucharistic ministers approved by the pastor of St. Dominic Parish may carry Communion to the sick. If you know a parishioner who is homebound or hospitalized and wishes to receive Holy Communion, please contact the home/hospital visitors coordinator, whose name and telephone number are listed on the inside of the bulletin’s front cover.

To receive the Precious Blood from the cup, respond "Amen!" to the "Blood of Christ," and then accept the cup with both hands. Take a sip of the consecrated wine, and then return the cup, being sure the minister has a good grip on the cup before you let go.

Go with the Communion traffic, not against it. After receiving the Body of Christ and whether or not you wish to receive the Blood of Christ (when it is offered), cross in front of the pews nearest you to return to your seat. Do not return the same way you came. This helps the Communion procession to flow smoothly.

Thank you in advance for your thoughtful preparation to receive Communion and for your careful execution of the Communion rite. Watch to see how beautiful our Communion rite becomes!

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