Eucharist (Communion)

Baptism:

Anyone who wishes to become a Catholic.

---- Confession:

Anyone Catholic who wishes to be cleansed of sin.

---- Holy Communion:

Anyone who is baptised, is of proper age, believes in the real presence of Christ, and wishes to receive it.

---- Confirmation:

Anyone who is of proper age, demonstrates proper knowledge, and wishes to be a full Catholic.

---- Marriage:

Two Catholic people of different gender who wishes to become one in serving God.

---- Holy Orders:

A confirmed Catholic who wishes to dedicate themselves to God and shows the proper knowledge.

---- Annointing of the Sick:

A Catholic who wishes to have his last rites before he dies.

In The Christian church the communion of saints refers to the community of the church including:

1. The Pilgrim Church- Those on Earth on the journey of faith throughout their lives.
2. The Church Suffering- Those in purgatory

3. The Church Triumphant- Those who have already made it to heaven

No, unless they are willing to come into the Roman Catholic church. If they don't know that it is wrong then it is not a sin though.

Answer

No they cannot, despite the fact that the Catholic Church recognises baptism in other denominations as long as it is in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Along with a few other doctrines from which the Catholic Church will not retract, this exclusive and divisive ban on receiving the sacrament of Holy Communion in the Catholic Church for non-Catholics is THE one great stumbling block to ecumenism - especially as almost all other denominations welcome communicant members of other denominations to their own tables with open arms.

• We should prayerfully recollect ourselves prior to coming to Mass. We should strive to arrive on time, allowing ourselves to prepare our minds and hearts for the liturgy. Upon entering the church, we should maintain reverent silence so that we and those around us are able to pray before Mass begins. This will ensure that we are at peace within ourselves and with others. Such recollection helps to eliminate distractions and allows us to focus more easily on the great mystery of the Eucharistic celebration in which we are about to participate. A prayerful and reflective reading of the Scripture selections for the Mass of the day will help make our hearts and minds ready to receive God's Word more deeply.

• We are required to keep the Eucharistic fast, that is, refraining from food and drink (except for water and medicines) for at least one hour prior to receiving Holy Communion. This fast demonstrates reverence and respect for the Body and Blood of Christ that we are going to receive. It also teaches us to hunger for Jesus in Holy Communion.

• We should also come to the sacred liturgy appropriately dressed. As Christians we should dress in a modest manner, wearing clothes that reflect our reverence for God and that manifest our respect for the dignity of the liturgy and for one another.

see Bishop's preparation at the link below:

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NB. It is worth adding that one should make an examination of conscience to recall if we have sinned against God or man since our last confession. If our sin is not grave we should at least say an act of contrition and make the sign of the cross with holy water (this is usually done when entering the church; holy water is a sacramental that absolves venial sin). If we have sinned gravely we must confess our sins to a priest in the sacrament of confession before approaching the altar to receive Our Lord in Holy Communion.

By receiving the sacrament of reconciliation, to eliminate mortal sins and then to fast from food or drink (excluding water) for 1 hour before; unless you are pregnant, nursing, below the age of reason, or over 65.

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1385 "To respond to this invitation we must prepare ourselves for so great and so holy a moment. St. Paul urges us to examine our conscience: "Whosoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of profaning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a man examine himself, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For any one who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment upon himself." (1 Cor 11:27-29) Anyone conscious of a grave sin must receive the sacrament of Reconciliation before coming to communion."

To further illustrate the point of preparing oneself prior to participating in the sacrament of the Eucharist, consider the words of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI and of His Holiness John Paul II.

"Despite our weakness and sin, Christ wants to make his dwelling place in us. This is why we must do everything in our power to receive him with a pure heart, continuously rediscovering through the Sacrament of forgiveness that purity which sin has stained, "that [our] minds be attuned to [our] voices" (cf. Sacrosanctum Concilium, n. 11),"

~ Homily of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI, Foconi Hall, Sunday, 22 June 2008

37. "The two sacraments of the Eucharist and Penance are very closely connected. Because the Eucharist makes present the redeeming sacrifice of the Cross, perpetuating it sacramentally, it naturally gives rise to a continual need for conversion, for a personal response to the appeal made by Saint Paul to the Christians of Corinth: "We beseech you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God." (2 Cor 5:20). If a Christians' conscience is burdened by serious sin, then the path of penance through the sacrament of Reconciliation becomes necessary for full participation in the Eucharistic Sacrifice."

~ Encyclical Letter, Ecclesia De Eucharistia, of His Holiness Pope John Paul II

No, only practicing Catholics who have properly prepared their hearts. When Catholics receive the Eucharist, the priest first says, "The Body of Christ" then the individual responds with "Amen". The word Amen means 'i believe'. Episcopalians do not believe in Jesus' True Presence in the Eucharist. Thus, it would 1) be contradictory to their beliefs to receive Communion and 2) it would be a sin for them.

Addendum

I ought to add here as a rider, that Episcopalians are a church within the Anglican Communion, and, as such, have a broad spectrum of belief and tradition. Within the Anglican Communion there are many Christians (so-called 'Anglo-Catholics') that are Roman Catholic in belief, including Jesus' True Presence in the Eucharist, but with one exception; they reject the authority of the pope. This includes mambers of all Anglican Churches - including Episcopalians.

However, despite their belief in transubstantiation, they too are rejected by the Roman Catholic Church and cannot receive the Catholic eucharist. This has caused much grief and heartache in the Anglican Church which is trying to work towards better understanding between our fellow RC Chrictians.

Wine signifies blood, and blood signifies life "the life is in the blood" (Lev 17:14) and Jesus "poured out His life unto death", which means He surrendered His natural human spirit/life, to do the will of the Father (to be led by His Spirit) which was "in Him in all fullness", as a cup full of wine. So likewise, when we partake of His cup, it symbolically means we are partaking of His life (walking as He walked), living as He lived (to be led by the Spirit of Christ) "if any man will follow Me he must walk as I walked", "if any man will follow Me he must deny himself". The same will be granted with a crown of immortality. Jesus said "I am the living bread that came down from heaven." John 6:51 and He is the "Word of God" (Jn 1.1), so to eat Jesus means to consume and internalise the Word of God, which is what these words symbolically mean "unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you cannot have eternal life within you." (Jn. 6:53).

Jesus said: "This is the bread which came down out of heaven; not as the fathers ate (physical bread), and died(physically), he who eats this (spiritual) bread shall live (spiritually) forever." The words of Jesus are called the bread of heaven.

"I am the living bread that came down from heaven." John 6:51

"Whoever eats this bread will live forever" John 6:52

"The words I have spoken to you they are Spirit and they are life." John 6:63

Jesus said and He is "the Word of God" (John 1:1,14).

So to eat Jesus means to consume, digest and internalise the Bible/Word of God.

The Bible often uses the idea of eating Gods words, "and I took the little book out of the Angels hand, AND ATE IT UP: and it was in my mouth sweet as honey, and as soon as I had eaten it." (Jeremiah 15:16; Ezekiel 3:1; Psalm 19; Rev. 10:10). Learning great truths is like eating. One must digest that which is eaten.

To eat Jesus means we are to eat spiritual bread which we are told are his (words/Gospels).

So it is the (words) of Jesus that give life not literal bread, but symbolic bread (words).

In the Bible natural things are used to represent spiritual things. So just as we need natural bread to live naturally, so we need spiritual bread to sustain us spiritually (the words/teachings of Jesus).

Jesus commanded his followers to remember Him by eating bread (His body) and drinking wine (His blood) until He returned. How can we remember Jesus by eating literal bread? We remember Jesus when we eat spiritual bread (His words) and when we share his bread/words with each other and participate in His cup/life.

So instead of doing a literal ritual in which we literally eat bread and literally drink wine the ritual is actually telling us to...

1. Eat the (words) of Jesus who is "the Word of God" Jn1.1 (study, internalize and digest the Bible)

2. Drink the wine or participate in the example of His life.

Jesus is "the Word of God" (John 1:1,14). So to eat Jesus means to consume, digest and internalise the Bible/Word of God and to drink wine means to participate in the example of his life, "unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you cannot have eternal life within you." (Jn. 6:53).

Wine is symbolic of blood and the blood is symbolic of life "For the life of the flesh is in the blood" (Gen 9:4, Lev 17:4). In the New Testament the apostles translate this spiritually in accordance with Isaiah 53:12, "because he poured out his life in death". So "blood" signfies "life" and to partake of the symbolic wine means we are participating in Christs life which "he poured out unto death".

In the Christian ritual the bread represents spiritual food, "I am the bread from heaven" (John 6:51), or the body of Christ. Jesus said and He is "the Word of God" (John 1:1,14). So to eat Jesus means we are to eat spiritual bread which we are told are his (words). Eating words was a common Biblical idea (Jeremiah 15:16; Ezekiel 3:1). So to consume bread represents eating and internalising the Words of God (studying the Bible). "the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life." (John 6:63). So the bread represents spiritual food (His Words) and the wine represents the example of His life. To partake of the cup; "they are spirit[bread], and they are life [wine]" and "The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life."

The idea of a ritual is to transfer the meaning to what the symbols are spiritually telling us to do. life.

In the Bible natural things are used to represent spiritual things. So just as we need natural bread to live naturally, so we need spiritual bread to sustain us spiritually (the words/teachings of Jesus).

The symbolic meaning of turning water into wine

Jesus had to fill the jars with water first before He changed the water into wine. As He teaches in John 2 "man is first born of water and then spirit" signified by the wine to become "vessels acceptable to God"; "full of the Spirit" of His life and truth (represented by the wine). This is why John 2 says the jars were "keimenai" = lying down. meaning a dead man (a man being asleep - spiritually) - being raised from the dead to be taught by God.

Learning great truths is like eating. One must digest that which is eaten. Then that which gives life will become a part of your body. As you get new understandings, the new will replace the old, "no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit." (John 3:3-5) the vessels full of water will be changed to vessels full of wine (symbolic of the life or spirit of Jesus); as were the vessels of water in Kana.

Wine and Bread in Christian symbolism

Jesus said: "This is the bread which came down out of heaven; not as the fathers ate (physical bread), and died(physically), he who eats this (spiritual) bread shall live (spiritually) forever." The words of Jesus are called the bread of heaven.

The Bible often uses the idea of eating Gods words, "and I took the little book out of the Angels hand, AND ATE IT UP: and it was in my mouth sweet as honey, and as soon as I had eaten it." (Jeremiah 15:16; Ezekiel 3:1; Psalm 19; Rev. 10:10). Learning great truths is like eating. One must digest that which is eaten.

To eat Jesus means we are to eat spiritual bread which we are told are his (words/Gospels).

So it is the (words) of Jesus that give life not literal bread, but symbolic bread (words).

Jesus said: "This is the bread which came down out of heaven; not as the fathers ate (physical bread), and died(physically), he who eats this (spiritual) bread shall live (spiritually) forever." And the words of Jesus are called that bread of heaven, it is the symbollic meaning of the Lords prayer "give us this day our daily bread". Not natural bread, but spiritual bread (the words of Jesus), the Words of the Gospel; "my words are Spirit and they are life". To consume the Word of God to internalise the spiritual sense of the Word.

"unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you cannot have eternal life within you." (Jn. 6:53)

Interestingly in John 6:66 the reason why the followers of Jesus walked away after hearing this is because they could not understand it was symbolic, not literal "From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him" (Jn 6:66). This is the reason most people walk away from the Bible today.

In ancient times the style of writing was to try and cause offense in the literal sense in order to (force) the reader to interpret the meaning symbolically (this is the style of a riddle) and the Bible is a book of symbolic riddles, we call this an intentional paradox, "Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, "Does this offend you?" John 6:61 (it was intended to in the literal sense to force its abandonment for the metaphoric in which the meaning is completely transfered).

The Bible often parodies paganism in the literal sense to subvert it in the metaphorical. The most obvious example is blood or animal sacrifice which God transfered metaphorically (i.e represents sacrificing our own animal nature within). All rituals have their meaning metaphorically or allegorically and are intended to be internalised (applied spiritually to us). One of the best ways to change someones world view is to accomodate their existing beliefs. The style of the Bible is to accomodate pagan ideas only to subvert them to what God wants to say (metaphorically). Therefore interpretting rituals literally not spiritually is paganism and a gross misunderstanding of the Bible style. Same applies with the Creation account which is a parody of the Babylonian myth in the literal sense only to change its theology and decode a prophecy of mans spiritual creation in the metaphoric.

HIDDEN BREAD

"He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of thehidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it."

Jesus obviously spoke symbolically, phrases such as "born again" (John 3:3), "living water"; "destroy this temple and I will raise it in 3 days", as the whole Old Testament was written in such a way but the natural man (Pharisees) could not perceive it as the Churches cannot likewise today. "And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scripture" (Luke 24:27,32). Therefore, to make an Idol is to materialise spiritual mysteries. The Priests, then, were Idolaters, who coming after Moses, and committing to writing those things which had been delivered unto Israel, replaced the true things signified, by their material symbols which perpeutuated ignorance, and those who trusted in them went into [spiritual] captivity through the continuation of meaningless rituals (externalised) "due to lack of [spiritual] knowledge" - like animal sacrifice taken literally and not spiritually "your burnt offerings are not acceptable…" (Jeremiah 6:20); Isaiah 1:11-15 … "To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? …I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats… Bring no more vain oblations… your hands are full of blood." The animal sacrifice was about sacrificing the animal nature in us. That is why Abels sacrifice was accepted, he made a LIFE sacrifice (i.e gave up greed, lust, desire, pride), the same basic motivating principles we share with animals, which we are to rise above.

Jesus is the "bread of life" and the "Word of God". In the Christian ritual the bread represents spiritual food, "I am the bread from heaven" (John 6:51). Jesus said and He is "the Word of God" (John 1:1,14). So to eat Jesus means we are to eat spiritual bread which we are told are his (words/Gospels).

Eating Gods words was a common Biblical idea (Jeremiah 15:16; Ezekiel 3:1). So to consume bread represents eating, digesting and internalising the words of Jesus. "the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life." (John 6:63). So the bread represents spiritual food (His Words) and the wine represents the example of His life. To partake of the cup; "the words I have spoken to you they are spirit [bread], and they are life [wine]".

Learning great truths is like eating. One must digest that which is eaten. Then that which gives life will become a part of your body. As you get new understandings, the new will replace the old, "no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit." (John 3:3-5) the vessels full of water will be changed to vessels full of wine (symbolic of the life or spirit of Jesus); as were the vessels of water in Kana.

Wine is symbolic of blood and the blood is symbolic of life "For the life of the flesh is in the blood" (Gen 9:4, Lev 17:4). In the New Testament the apostles translate this spiritually in accordance with Isaiah 53:12, "because he poured out his life in death". So "blood" signfies "life" and to partake of the symbolic wine means we are participating in Christs life which "he poured out unto death".

Jesus is the "bread of life" and the "Word of God", the shewbread inside the temple has this meaning. The word shewbread or lechem paniym is literally the bread of presence. God uses bread to symbolise or speak of His presence. God's presence is experience in obedience to His Word, which is also Himself. The comparison is literal bread that gives life to the body, with the bread of God (the Word of God) which gives life to the soul and spirit. The unleavened bread upon the table of shewbread in the temple (human body) symbolizes the "logos" Word. The Holy Spirit is the spiritual light inside the tabernacle (the candlestick). It is the Holy Spirit who enlightens us. The golden candlestick was set "over against the table" (Ex 26:35) which means directly across from the shewbread on purpose so that His (God's) light will directly illuminate the Word of God as the New Testament also tells us represents the Holy Spirit. Together, the Holy Spirit (candlestick) and Jesus (shewbread) are the "rhema" Word of God. "The Word (logos) was made flesh, and dwelt among us." (John 1:14).

Interestingly in John 6:66 the reason why the followers of Jesus walked away after hearing this is because they could not understand it was symbolic, not literal "From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him" (Jn 6:66). This is the reason most people also misunderstand the Bible today. In ancient times the style of writing was to try and cause offense in the literal sense in order to (force) the reader to interpret a riddle symbolically and the Bible is a book of symbolic riddles. This is how riddles used to be written in ancient times, we call this an intentional paradox, "Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, "Does this offend you?" John 6:61. In other words it was supposed to sound offensive in the literal sense to force the abandonment of it and the search for the symbolic meaning. The Bible often parodies paganism in the literal sense to subvert it in the metaphorical. The most obvious example is blood or animal sacrifice, a continuation of a pagan idea which the Bible parodies to subvert symbolically (i.e represents sacrificing our own animal nature within). All rituals have their meaning metaphorically or allegorically and are intended to be internalised (applied spiritually to us). Jesus had to fill the jars with water first before He changed the water into wine. As He teaches in John 2 "man is first born of water and then spirit" signified by the wine to become "vessels acceptable to God"; "full of the Spirit" of His life and truth (represented by the wine). This is why John 2 says the jars were "keimenai" = lying down. meaning a dead man (a man being asleep - spiritually) - being raised from the dead to be taught by God.

It is the symbollic meaning of the Lords prayer "give us this day our daily bread". Not natural bread, but spiritual bread (the words of Jesus), the Words of the Gospel; "my words are Spirit and they are life". To consume the Word of God is to internalise/digest the words of Jesus.

More answers from our community:

The Second Vatican Council (commonly called Vatican II) called for a modernization of some church practices as a means of opening a dialogue with the world and better spreading the good news of the Gospel. Contrary to some belief, Vatican II changed no doctrines of the Church, since doctrine can never change. One of the most visible changes resulting froim Vatican II was the celebration of the Mass in the vernacular (i.e., current languages such as English, Spanish, French, etc., depending on the country) instead of Latin. Another was a new emphasis on the role of the laity (non-ordained persons) in the life of the Church.

Answer

The vernacular - The language of the church was Latin. But the Vatican brought about change by bringing in the vernacular (native tongue) being English into the church. Having the church in the one language everywhere made catholics welcome across the world uniting them together

The priest faced the laity - During the ceremony the priest used to face the altar and say the mass with his back to the people. The Second Vatican Council changed this so that the priest faced the people connecting them with God.

The Eucharist is received on the hand - Communion (Eucharist) used to be received on the tongue as no one was allowed to touch the host, even if it fell on the floor the priest would have to pick it up. Communion is now received in the hand and we are allowed to touch the host

Laity are involved in the mass - the laity are now involved in the mass not just the men. They can be altar servers, sing, read, or give out the host. This brought the people together as they were able to connect as one catholic body with God

Answer

A few changes were the masses were now said in English, not Latin. The Priest faces the parish during the mass, and the Church supposedly started accepting the other religions and respecting them.

Correction:

The Mass is in English only in those countries where the language is spoken. The Mass is in whatever the local language happens to be.

Mainly it was the modernizing of the Church.

• Rather than speaking Latin, the language of the Mass became the vernacular (The language of the people/religion)
• Format of the Mass

  - Responses were changed

  - Readings were changed

  - Altar was not at the back

  -priest faced the congregation during the Mass.

Catholic Answer Holy Communion is the reception of the Body and Blood of Christ, received under the appearance of bread and wine. The main effects of this reception are that it 1) delivers from sin, 2) increases the grace of Baptism, 3) increases union with Christ, 4) makes the Church, 5) preserves from future mortal sins, and 6) strengthens the spiritual life. ...

from The Catechism of the Catholic Church, second edition, English translation 1994, questions 1391 - 1416.

It is to eat bread and drink wine together with other Christians to remember Jesus' death. The bread represents Jesus' body and the wine represents his blood. See the Bible, 1 Corinthians 11:23:

The LORD Jesus on the night he was betrayed, took bread and when he had given thanks he broke it, saying "This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me." In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, do this in remembrance of me"

The reason Jesus wanted Christians to receive communion was because he died so that he could be punished instead of sinners, IE: everyone. So they didn't have to be punished in hell. For this reason, those who know this and accept Jesus as their savior and turn away from their sin can be forgiven and go to heaven when they die. These people are true Christians. Jesus knew they would need a constant reminder of what he had done for them, so he set up the ritual of communion. If you want any more information on this then leave a note on my message board.

Speak to God (Prayer). One could thank God for his blessings, ask for help or understanding. What one discusses with God is up to them at this time.

After Holy Communion we should spend some time adoring Our Lord, thanking Him, renewing our promises of love and of obedience to Him, and asking Him for blessings for ourselves and others.

We should NOT receive Holy Communion if we are not in a state of grace (if we have not previously been to confession) as St. Paul warns of the extreme danger involved in consuming the Body and Blood of the Lord unworthily.

I am not a preacher or anything like that but I do love God and I think that Holy Communion is a remembrance of what Our Lord and Savior did for us!(Dying on the cross for our sins) So after I receive Holy Communion I pray to God and repent and picture him dying on the cross getting savagely beat by many roman soldiers (Passion of the Christ). I can't think of any reason why someone would accept that punishment for no crimes committed. That's Love.

"He was pierced for of our transgressions, He was crushed for of our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed."

- Isaiah 53:5

"God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

-Romans 5:8