Questions of Faith

At several recent family funerals, a number of my family members who are not Catholic insisted on receiving Communion despite my explaining they should not and the priest inviting only practicing Catholics to come forward. How can I better explain our practice of limiting Communion and are there dangers with them receiving?

Funerals and weddings are often liturgies where non-Catholics are in attendance to support family and friends during these important moments. The rituals can be inspiring for non-Catholics who may be unfamiliar with them, but participating in the liturgies can also make for awkward moments, especially when it comes to the reception of Communion. In explaining our practice, we should know the official guidelines on the reception of Communion given by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Just because I am Catholic does not necessarily mean that I am able to receive. “In order to be properly disposed to receive Communion, (Catholics) should not be conscious of grave sin and normally should have fasted for one hour (before receiving Communion). 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.”

For non-Catholic Christians, they are welcomed to the celebration of the Eucharist; however, “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 §4).” However, the guidelines do permit members of certain non-Catholic Orthodox and Eastern Churches to receive Communion.

Canon 844 §4 allows, “if there is a danger of death or if, in the judgment of the diocesan bishop or of the episcopal conference, there is some other grave and pressing need, Catholic ministers may lawfully administer these same sacraments (penance, Eucharist, and anointing of the sick) to other Christians not in full communion with the Catholic Church, who cannot approach a minister of their own community and who spontaneously ask for them, provided that they demonstrate the Catholic faith in respect of these sacraments and are properly disposed.”

Other Christian denominations hold various beliefs regarding the Eucharist. In 1 Corinthians 10:16, St. Paul reaffirms Jesus’s teaching at the Last Supper, “The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ?” As Catholics, we believe in transubstantiation, that the Eucharist is the true Body and Blood of Christ; however, other denominations may not believe this.

As the guidelines propose, the reception of holy Communion is not just an expression of belief in the real presence of Christ but also an indication of membership or “communion” in a particular church that shares “oneness of faith, life and worship.” The Catholic Church holds that to receive Communion we must believe all that she officially teaches as coming from Christ through the apostles. In Matthew 28:20, Jesus himself commissions the 11 disciples to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing and “teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.”

In the Catechism of the Catholic Church 1355, St. Justin Martyr reminds us, “No one may take part in (the Eucharist) unless he believes that what we teach is true, has received baptism for the forgiveness of sins and new birth, and lives in keeping with what Christ taught.” Does the non-Catholic believe the faith stated in the Creed we pray at Mass on Sunday and the teachings that have been handed down throughout the ages?

At Masses where non-Catholics are present, it is beneficial for the priest to give instructions for receiving the Eucharist before Mass begins or at Communion. If he does not, you can find the official guidelines in the inside cover of the missalettes located in the church pews. It would be helpful to show this to any friends or family members attending before Mass begins. Consideration should also be given to include these guidelines in programs printed for funeral or wedding Masses.

Nevertheless, we can only do so much to inform, guide and instruct. Despite all our best efforts, there may be times when someone who is not properly disposed or a non-Catholic receives Communion. In the end, ultimate responsibility for worthy reception of Communion belongs to the individual communicant. As St. Paul reminds us, “Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord unworthily will have to answer for the body and blood of the Lord. A person should examine himself, and so eat the bread and drink the cup” (1 Corinthians 11:27-28). We can trust that God knows the communicant’s mind and heart better than we can and will respond to that person accordingly. Until the day arrives, our prayer should be that one day we will all be united around the one altar and the one sacrifice.