Who can receive Communion during Mass?
 
In order to preserve the dignity of the Eucharist, the Church has established certain guidelines and norms governing the reception of Holy Communion.  In 1996, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops published the Guidelines for the Reception of Communion which addresses reception of communion for Catholics, non-Catholic Christians, and for non-Christians.  These norms are usually printed in all missalettes, but are also printed here for your convenience.
 
What is the proper way to receive the Eucharist?
 
The norm established for the dioceses of the United States of America is that Communion is to be received standing, unless an individual members wishes to receive Communion while kneeling (GIRM 160).  When receiving Holy Communion, the person approaches the minister and bows his or her head before the Sacrament as a gesture of reverence.  While the sign of reverence used to be a genuflection, for the sake of unity, the US Bishops asked that the faithful bow their head instead.  When the communion minister says, “The Body of Christ” or “The Blood of Christ”, we respond “Amen” as a sign of our belief in the true presence, Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity, of Jesus Christ in the Eucharistic.  By our “Amen”, we are saying, “I believe.” The consecrated host may be received either on the tongue or in the hand, at the discretion of each communicant.  If receiving it on the hand, it is customary to place your left hand on top of your right hand, thus creating a throne for the Eucharist.  After the host is placed in your left hand, you take it with your right hand and place it in your mouth to consume the host.  If you are receiving on your tongue, it is important to stick your tongue our far enough for the minister to place the host on your tongue.  When receiving the Blood of Christ, after bowing and receiving the chalice in your hands, communicants drink the Blood of Christ and carefully return the chalice to the minister.
 
What do I do if I am not receiving Communion?
 
If you are not prepared to receive Communion or if someone with you is not Catholic, they can still approach the priest or deacon and receive a blessing.  It is customary to cross your arms across your chest as a sign of your desire for a blessing.
 
What do I do when I return to my pew after receiving Communion?
 
Upon receiving the Eucharist, it appropriate to return to your pew and spend some quiet time in prayer.  Some people might prefer to silently pray a spontaneous prayer of thanksgiving or recite a traditional one from memory while others might prefer to sit in silent communion with Jesus who they have just received.  Another option is to participate in the singing of the hymn if one is being sung.
 
Why is there a period of communal silence following the distribution of Communion?
 
There should be a period of communal silence after Communion in order for the priest, servers, and the entire congregation to pray in silence for the gift they have just received.  It is an opportunity for everyone to “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:11).
 
Is it OK to leave Mass immediately after receiving Communion?
 
Even though Mass ends shortly after receiving communion, it is important to stay for the end of Mass which includes a closing prayer, announcements (if any), and a final blessing.  Having heard and reflected on the Scriptures and received Jesus in the Eucharist, the congregation is blessed and sent to go out into the world and announced the Gospel through the way they live.
  
Why do some people not go up to receive Communion during Mass?
 
There are many possible reasons why someone might not receive communion during Mass.  For example, someone might not be Catholic; someone might not be living in a state of grace (they might be living in mortal sin); someone might be living in an irregular marriage, etc.  While there are a number of various reasons why someone might not receive communion, it is important to remember not to judge someone and assume that they are living in sin.  In Luke, Jesus teaches, “Stop judging and you will not be judged.  Stop condemning and you will not be condemned.  Forgive and you will be forgiven” (Luke 6:37).
 
How do I know if I am in mortal sin?
 
Mortal sin refers to a sinful action that completely separates us from God.  In order for an action to be a mortal sin, there are three requirements that must be present: it must be a grave or serious matter, it must be committed with full knowledge (both of the sin and the seriousness of the sin), and it must be committed with full consent.  If one of these conditions is not met, the culpability / guilt of the sinner might be lessened.  For example, addiction interferes with one’s freedom and could subjectively lessen the guilt of the person.
 
Why all of the rules and restrictions?  Why can’t everyone receive communion?
 
The rules and regulation are there to preserve the proper respect for the Eucharist.  Everyone is welcome to receive communion, but before they do that, they must know who they are receiving and be properly disposed to receive the Lord in the Eucharist.  For example, if someone is not Catholic, but desires to receive communion, they are welcome to begin the process of the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) and be welcomed into the Church.  If someone is living in sin, they are invited to seek the sacrament of penance.  If someone is living in an irregular marriage, the Church invites them to regularize their marriage by seeking an annulment and having their marriage convalidated in the Church.  Convalidation occurs when the couple whose marriage is recognized civilly enters into the sacrament of marriage in the Church.
 
What should I do if I am not able to receive Communion?
 
If you are not able to receive communion for some reason, you have two options during Mass.  The first would be to stay in your pew when others go up to receive communion.  Another option would be to get in line with the rest of the congregation and when you approach the priest or deacon, cross your arms across your chest indicating that you do not want to receive communion and that you would like a blessing.  In both situations, you can make a spiritual communion by saying this prayer or something similar:
 
“Jesus, I believe that you are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love you above all things, and I desire to receive you into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive you sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart.  I embrace you as if you were already there and unite myself wholly to you.  Never permit me to be separated from you. Amen.”
 
How often should I go to the Sacrament of Penance?           
 
One of the precepts of the Church is to confess our sins to a priest at least once a year in the sacrament of penance. While sacramental confessional once a year is only a minimum, Catholics are encouraged to go when it is necessary.  Some people prefer to go on a more regular basis such as once a month or when they are in mortal sin.  Venial sins, sins that weaken our relationship with God, but do not separate us from God, are forgiven during Mass through the reception of the Eucharist if we have sorrow for our sins.  While we are only required to confess mortal sins in confession, it is appropriate to also confess venial sins in order to receive God’s help in avoiding them in the future.
 
How do I prepare myself for the Sacrament of Penance?
 
Before entering the confessional, it is necessary to properly prepare for the sacrament by spending time in prayer making an examination of conscience.  An examination of conscience is a time when we recall our sins and failings since the last time we went to confession.  Many examinations of conscience follow the Ten Commandments and the Precepts of the Church. There are many resources available online that can guide you to make a good examination of conscience.  There are even apps available on smart phones that help guide you.  After making an examination of conscience, if someone is unsure about how to go to confession, the person can always ask the priest to guide him or her through the sacrament.
 
Can I receive communion if I am divorced?
 
A common misunderstanding is that if someone is divorced, they cannot receive communion.  If someone is divorced and not re-married, however, they are permitted to receive communion because divorce is a civil legality and not a church category.
 
What if I am living in an irregular marriage?
 
If someone was divorced and re-married outside of the Church without seeking an annulment, it is necessary to regularize the marriage before receiving the Eucharist. In order to do this, the person must seek an annulment and then have the civil marriage convalidated by the Church before returning to the Eucharist.
 
What is an annulment? Is it just another name for “Catholic divorce”?
 
A common misperception about annulments is that it is just a Catholic divorce.  Catholics believe that a marriage takes place when a man and woman pledge their free, faithful, fruitful, and total love before God and the Church.  If one of the conditions for a marriage is not present, then the marriage did not occur and it is declared null through the annulment process.  It is important to note that the Church affirms the legitimacy of children who were born to a marriage before it was annulled.
 
How do I go about getting an annulment?
 
If you are interested in beginning the process, contact your parish priest.  If you have questions about the annulment process, contact either the Office of Marriage and Family Life or the Tribunal at the Archdiocese (504-861-6200).
 
Is it worth seeking an annulment?
 
It is absolutely worth seeking an annulment.  Aside from being reconciled with God and the Church, the annulment process can be a time of healing from the pains and hurts often caused by divorce.
  
Written by Fr. Tim Hedrick 
 
 

Guidelines on the Reception of Communion
Published by the USCCB on November 14, 1996:

For Catholics:
As Catholics, we fully participate in the celebration of the Eucharist when we receive Holy Communion. We are encouraged to receive Communion devoutly and frequently. In order to be properly disposed to receive Communion, participants should not be conscious of grave sin and normally should have fasted for one hour. 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 (canon 916). A frequent reception of the Sacrament of Penance is encouraged for all.

For our fellow Christians:
We welcome our fellow Christians to this celebration of the Eucharist as our brothers and sisters. We pray that our common baptism and the action of the Holy Spirit in this Eucharist will draw us closer to one another and begin to dispel the sad divisions which separate us. We pray that these will lessen and finally disappear, in keeping with Christ’s prayer for us “that they may all be one” (Jn 17:21).
 
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). Members of the Orthodox Churches, the Assyrian Church of the East, and the Polish National Catholic Church are urged to respect the discipline of their own Churches. According to Roman Catholic discipline, the Code of Canon Law does not object to the reception of communion by Christians of these Churches (canon 844 § 3).

For those not receiving Holy Communion:
All who are not receiving Holy Communion are encouraged to express in their hearts a prayerful desire for unity with the Lord Jesus and with one another.

For non-Christians:
We also welcome to this celebration those who do not share our faith in Jesus Christ. While we cannot admit them to Holy Communion, we ask them to offer their prayers for the peace and the unity of the human family.