The Lord established the sacrament of Eucharist at the Last Supper, in the context of the Jewish feast of Passover. During this meal he took unleavened bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to his apostles, saying, “Take and eat. This is my Body, which will be broken for you. Do this in memory of me.” Similarly, Jesus took the Passover cup of wine after the meal, a joyful sharing among friends, and proclaimed, “Take and drink. This is the Cup of my Blood, the Blood of the new and eternal covenant, which will be shed for you. Do this in memory of me.” Jesus instituted the Eucharist as a memorial of his death and resurrection, and he commanded his apostles to celebrate it until his return in glory. The Church has been faithful to his mandate from its first days, breaking bread on Sunday to commemorate Jesus’ resurrection on Easter. The Church will never cease doing so until the Lord comes again in the fullness of time.
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 (Code of Canon Law, canon 916). A frequent reception of the Sacrament of Penance is encouraged for all.
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” (John 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).
Non-Catholic Christians may come forward to receive a blessing simply by crossing their arms over their chests.
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 unity of the human family.
Non-Christians may come forward to receive a blessing simply by crossing their arms over their chests.