| 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
(Code of Canon Law, Canon 916). A frequent reception of the Sacrament
of Penance (Reconciliation) is encouraged for all.
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| 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" (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 S4). 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 S3).
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| 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.
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| 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
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Copyright (c)
1996, United States Catholic Conference
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