I used to go to church w/ my Catholic fiance. Why can't I take communion?

Question

I used to leave early (before the end of service on Sunday) so as to avoid taking communion (since I was never confirmed). I'm not sure why I am not able to do this though. Also, is communion always at the end of a service, what do I do if it is in the beginning or middle (do I leave?) thank you.

Answer 1

Easy answers first. The Eucharist (Communion) always happens at the end of Mass.

You do not have to leave the church during Eucharist (Communion). All are invited to stay.

You may even approach the alter with the people receiving the Eucharist for a blessing. Cross your arms over your chest to indicate you want a blessing instead of the Body and Blood of Christ.

You are unclear on your religious persuasion. It sounds like you were baptized Catholic, but never received Confirmation or First Communion.

There are things to learn and beautiful ceremonies to participate in before you are Confirmed and receive your First (and second and ... ) Communion.

If you are interested in finishing your initiation into the Catholic Church, contact your local parish and ask about information about their RCIA Inquiry group.

This is the first step in RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults).

With love and prayers in Christ.

Answer 2

It all depends...Are you Catholic, that is - were you Baptized as a Catholic at some point in the past? If so, I believe you can take Communion after the formal "First Communion". This will probably also involve the Sacrament of Reconciliation as well.

If you were not Baptized Catholic, or at all, you cannot receive Communion unless you decide to convert. This would require you to take part in RCIA, the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults. It's Catholic education geered towards adults who want to convert to the Catholic faith. It may be minor or extensive, it really all depends on how much or how little you already know about Catholic Doctrine. RCIA will include Baptism (if necessary), Confession, COMMUNION, and finally Confirmation. You can begin receiving Communion at mass regularly once you've received First Communion.

For now, you can continue attending Catholic mass. Just remain in the pew, kneel in prayer if you prefer, while the other parishioners receive Communion.

It's nice to see someone interested in receiving the Body and Blood of Christ, and maybe even become Catholic...Good luck.

Answer 3

I"m not Catholic, but I would suggest strategical sitting. Which ever direction the people go when leaving the pew to take communion, make sure your fiance will have to pass you to leave the pew. You stay seated when the pew leaves to take communion and that way your fiance takes the lead for the others in your pew so they aren't waiting for you to go so they can go.

As to why you don't feel comfortable taking communion at the Catholic Church, maybe it's because you feel as I did before I became a member of the church I attend. I didn't feel it was respectful. I respected the fact that they had undertaken covenants and that partaking of the sacrament was a way to honor those covenants. I had not made those covenants yet, so I felt it was inappropriate to partake. Once I was baptised a member, I had no qualms about taking the sacrament, and even looked forward to it. I still do.

Answer 4

You have to be a Catholic to take Communion in a Catholic church. Check out Wikipedia's section on Communion or the Eucharist. If you are interested in taking Communion you should consider another Christian faith. Protestants are usually more open. I belong to a UCC church that practices open Communion.

Answer 5

Communion is for those who understand what The Eucharist is. That means you have to go through catechism lessons and make a heartful decision that you know what the Catholic faith is about and desire to be apart of the Catholic faith. The Eucharist is the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ. No one may recieve the Eucharist who is not Catholic or else has committed mortal sin. After instruction we make our First Holy Communion and Our First Confession. Our souls must be in the state of Grace to receive Communion. So, we go to Confession regularly to cleanse our souls first before going to Communion. So, to recieve Christ in the Holy Eucharist you have to understand and beleive as Catholics believe. Why not look into learning more about the Catholic faith? Best wishes.

Answer 6

Since you have never been confirmed, I don't think you are allowed communion because you are not fully a member of the Catholic Church.

If you are interested in taking communion, please see your parish office and ask about RCIA classes, this will allow you to finish the process and become a member of the Church.

As for communion, it is always at the end of the mass. Never in the beginning or middle.

Answer 7

communion is always at the end, they dont switch around.

you can stay, just sit back in the pew.

and its not because your not confirmed, most catholics are confirmed at 13, but recieve first communion at 8/9.

the reason you cant is because uve never been to confession(first confession at around 8 yrs old) and to recieve a sacrament in the catholic church you must first do confession/reconcilliation.

also you have to take come cathecism classes and learn about communion/eucharist, to fully understand it

Answer 8

You have to be a Catholic in order to take communion in their Church. I don't see why you should have to leave, though. Just sit back and enjoy the show.

Answer 9

Please stay and feel welcome for the whole mass.

Communion, or the Eucharist is Jesus to us. It is our belief that only the clean should take Jesus for food and nurishment. To be clean is to be Baptised, confess your sins to the Priest, receive your first Eucharist, and be sin free (as the Catholics interpreate the Gospel).

Yes, communions is always near the end of the service. To make yourself comfortable you can remain seated while others pass you for the Eucharist ... or get up with them and instead of walking to get the Eucharist, just go and sit back down. This is very common, many Catholics do this as well (when we commit a sin with our knowledge that it's a sin and didn't have time to clean ourselves by confessing).

God bless

Answer 10

As a Catholic, I want to personally thank you for abstaining from recieving the Holy Eucharist--it shows that even if you do not share our personal beliefs about Communion, you are respectful of our practices. So, thanks!
You do not need to worry about the Eucharist being at different times during the mass, it will always be towards the end--it's the highlight of the whole thing. Also, you do not need to leave the church, you can always stay in your pew while your fiance goes up to the altar to recieve.
Catholics belief in the true presence of the Eucharist. Although there are many reasons why we believe this, I will give you at least one biblical reference so that you do not think we are too crazy:) In John 6, Jesus talks about how he is the "bread of life" and that if his disciples do not eat of him, then they "will not have life within" them. His disciples think he is nuts and many of them leave Jesus. But Jesus does not say, "Oh, wait. I was just talking symbolically. Come back." Instead, he turns to the apostles and asks them "Will you leave me, too?" He sounds so pathetic, doesn't he? The true presence of the Eucharist is a hard thing to understand and believe and to this day, many of Jesus's disciples choose to believe in all of his teachings except this one.
When Christians do not believe in the true presence of the Eucharist or come from a faith which does not believe in it, they are asked out of respect for Christ's body not to partake of Holy Communion--but they are still welcome at Church! We still want to celebrate mass with them! We just don't want to disrespect God with them.
I hope this answers your question. Feel free to repost if I can be of any further help! I promise to try and do my best! God Bless!