4Real Forums: non-catholic receiving communion??

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Topic: non-catholic receiving communion??

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tovlo4801
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Joined: Feb 28 2005
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Posted: Oct 09 2005 at 2:09pm \| IP Logged

I know there are so many wise apologists on this site. I need some help. I have developed a relationship with a very nice couple who recently moved nearby. I discovered early on that they were church-shopping. I shared my dh and my own faith walk that involved a period of church shopping before joining the Catholic Church. I invited her family to join us at mass if they were interested. I subsequently learned that they are not married, but they live together and are now pregnant.

Well, she took me up on coming to mass with us and honestly I am pleased. I know that their life is not perfect, but I sense that their desire for church is real. They have recently been attending a large seeker friendly evangelical church. I wanted to make sure that they understood that while very welcome to come to church with us they would not be able to receive communion there. It's always very touchy and I struggled to decide how to approach it with them. I ended up writing a brief note about the situation for their 5yrold at mass and then tagged on some information about the fact that they should not receive communion. I simply stated that by receiving communion you are saying that you accept all the Church teaches and added that they probably aren't there yet. I went on to describe their choices to either remain in the pew or to come up to the priest for a blessing. I should add that the female of this couple had attended a Catholic school for two years in her youth so I approached it a bit as if this was probably already somewhat familiar to her.

So today at mass when communion time came I leaned over and asked if they were just going to stay in the pew then. She nodded and we continued to kneel until it was time to go up. A bit before it was time she tapped me again and said that her companion didn't understand. They do this at their church she said and he doesn't understand why he can't receive. I tried to briefly explain that we as Catholics believe that it is actually Jesus' body and blood and unless you believe this you shouldn't receive. When it came time to go up they went up and received communion. I didn't know what to do.

We invited them over for coffee and rolls after and she mentioned again that they have communion at the evangelical church they currently attend. I apologized to her for not preparing them well enough and added that I understand that other churches have a different understanding of communion, but that we believe it is actually Body and Blood and not just a symbol. I told her that I would try to find some information that explained it better.

So here's my question. Where can I find information that will explain this more fully?

We like this couple and would like to continue to invite them to experience the love and welcome of the wonderful Catholics in our community. I truly believe that they are open (though perhaps not anymore.

) and if they want to experience mass, I want to help them. I just need to make sure that they do not harm themselves or dishonor Jesus in that process. Help!

MicheleQ
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Posted: Oct 09 2005 at 2:14pm \| IP Logged

tovlo4801 wrote:

So here's my question. Where can I find information that will explain this more fully?

Richelle,

Here are some links to check out:
Who Can Receive Communion?

Non-Catholics and Holy Communion

Should Non-Catholics Receive Communion?

God bless!

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Michele Quigley
wife to my prince charming and mom of 10 in Lancaster County, PA USA
http://michelequigley.com

tovlo4801
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Posted: Oct 10 2005 at 4:09pm \| IP Logged

Michele,

Thank you for the resources. I'm going to print them out for this couple and hopefully it will help explain the situation better.

God Bless!

MaryM
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Posted: Oct 10 2005 at 4:31pm \| IP Logged

tovlo4801 wrote:

I truly believe that they are open (though perhaps not anymore.

) and if they want to experience mass, I want to help them.

Hi Richelle,
Michelle posted the links I had been thinking of - they are very good explanations. I know you are worried that this couple might be upset by how this played out. Maybe one way to smooth that over is to also discuss that not all Catholics can even receive the Eucharist. If you mention that in order for a Catholic even to recieve he or she must be in a state of grace, have been to confession since last mortal sin, believe in the doctrine of transubstantiation, abstain from any food or drink for an hour, and not be under an ecclesiastical censure.

It hopefully will help thim realize that the Church isn't "picking on" non-catholics - rather all of this just emphasizes the utmost devotion we have for the Eucharist because of the Real Presence of Christ - that it is not taken lightly. I would stress the communion aspect - to receive Communion we must all be in communion - literally of a common belief and unity of faith.

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Mary M. in Denver

Our Domestic Church

juliecinci
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Posted: Oct 10 2005 at 7:50pm \| IP Logged

It might help to mention that everyone can still go to the altar to receive a blessing from the priest even without taking communion. Sometimes the feeling of being left behind in the seats feels awkward. Novitiates and non-Catholics can simply cross their arms, get in line and receive a benediction.

One of the difficulties for non-Catholics is that they have been taught that the church universal means that everyone can partake in communion in any church. There is not much teaching about how Catholics see things in Protestant churches. My family of origin that is now evangelical all go to communion when they visit Catholic churches with Catholic relatives. I think it's difficult for them to think any other way because they grew up Catholic and feel a sense of entitlement on both the nostaligic level as well as the "we're Christians too" level. I don't take communion when I visit Catholic churches because I've been taught by my Catholic homeschooling friends what communion means to Catholics (even though I'm baptized and confirmed!). I realize that it is important for me to settle what I am affirming when I receive communion before taking it again.

While I'm still sorting out my beliefs, I simply go to the front, cross my arms and receive a blessing.

Thought that might help a bit.

Julie

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Julie
Homeschooling five for fourteen years

tovlo4801
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Posted: Oct 11 2005 at 6:01am \| IP Logged

Thank you guys for your insight. I agree that it is good to point out that many attend, but do not receive. There was not time at mass Sunday to point it out, but in our tiny little church I think there were 4-5 people who remained in the pew that day. I did offer them the option of going to the priest to recieve a blessing though it might not have been clear to them. I will certainly reinforce that option.

I'm going to mention to them also that my dh and I attended this little church for almost a year before we received communion. I was not Catholic and my dh, though baptized and receiving first communion, had not been confirmed. He wanted, like you Julie, to be sure that he really understood the Church before returning in fullness. Hopefully it will help them to understand not only that they are not alone, but that their hosts were in the same boat at one point.

God Bless, and thank you!

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