Norms for Receiving Holy Communion
A Catholic should receive Holy Communion with faith in Christ's Real Presence, a state of grace, proper preparation, and reverence.
Who may receive:
If someone is conscious of mortal sin:
The ordinary rule is:
The exception is when there is a grave reason, no opportunity for Confession, and the person makes an act of perfect contrition, including the firm intention to confess as soon as possible.
Eucharistic fast:
The normal Eucharistic fast is one hour before receiving Holy Communion. Water and medicine do not break the fast. The fast does not apply in the same way to the sick or those receiving Viaticum.
Interior preparation:
The faithful should:
Receiving Communion is not a reward for being perfect, but it does require sincere conversion and a willingness to live in communion with Christ and his Church.
External manner of reception:
Holy Communion may be received on the tongue or in the hand, according to the norms of the bishops' conference and local liturgical law. It may be received kneeling or standing; Communion may not be denied solely because a person chooses one of these lawful postures.
After receiving, one should return prayerfully to one's place and give thanks.
Frequency:
The Church encourages the faithful to receive Holy Communion devoutly and frequently, provided they are properly disposed. Every Catholic is obliged to receive Communion at least once a year, normally during the Easter season.
In summary:
be Catholic and properly disposed, be free from mortal sin or have first gone to Confession, observe the one-hour fast, and receive with faith, reverence, and charity.
REFERENCES:
A Catholic should receive Holy Communion with faith in Christ's Real Presence, a state of grace, proper preparation, and reverence.
Who may receive:
- A person must be baptized and fully incorporated into the Catholic Church, ordinarily having received First Communion.
- Catholics should not receive if they are conscious of unconfessed mortal sin. They should first receive sacramental Confession.
- A person who is obstinately persevering in manifest grave sin may be denied Communion according to Church discipline.
- Catholics who knowingly and obstinately reject defined Catholic doctrine or definitive moral teaching should refrain from receiving, since the Eucharist signifies full ecclesial communion.
If someone is conscious of mortal sin:
The ordinary rule is:
- "Whoever is conscious of having committed a grave sin must first receive the sacrament of Reconciliation before going to Communion."
The exception is when there is a grave reason, no opportunity for Confession, and the person makes an act of perfect contrition, including the firm intention to confess as soon as possible.
Eucharistic fast:
The normal Eucharistic fast is one hour before receiving Holy Communion. Water and medicine do not break the fast. The fast does not apply in the same way to the sick or those receiving Viaticum.
Interior preparation:
The faithful should:
- believe in Christ’s true presence;
- be recollected and prayerful;
- examine their conscience;
- be free from mortal sin;
- strive to be reconciled with others and to live in charity.
Receiving Communion is not a reward for being perfect, but it does require sincere conversion and a willingness to live in communion with Christ and his Church.
External manner of reception:
- The communicant should approach reverently, make the prescribed gesture of respect - normally a bow of the head before receiving - and respond "Amen" to "The Body of Christ" or "The Blood of Christ."
Holy Communion may be received on the tongue or in the hand, according to the norms of the bishops' conference and local liturgical law. It may be received kneeling or standing; Communion may not be denied solely because a person chooses one of these lawful postures.
After receiving, one should return prayerfully to one's place and give thanks.
Frequency:
The Church encourages the faithful to receive Holy Communion devoutly and frequently, provided they are properly disposed. Every Catholic is obliged to receive Communion at least once a year, normally during the Easter season.
In summary:
be Catholic and properly disposed, be free from mortal sin or have first gone to Confession, observe the one-hour fast, and receive with faith, reverence, and charity.
REFERENCES:
- Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, § 291.
- Canon 915: The Discipline Regarding the Denial of Holy Communion to Those Obstinately Persevering in Manifest Grave Sin, 2007, Issue 1, pp. 3–58.
- The Mystery of the Eucharist in the Life of the Church, 49.
- Norms for the Distribution and Reception of Holy Communion under Both Kinds in the Dioceses of the United States of America, 5.
- Pope Pius V. Catechism of the Council of Trent. 1566. The Sacraments - The Holy Eucharist.
- Redemptionis Sacramentum, 91.
- Catholic Encyclopedia, Holy Communion.