THE PRECEPTS OF THE CHURCH: 

HOLY COMMUNION

Bishop Paul S. Coakley

Continuing this series of articles on the precepts of the Church, I would like to turn now to the third precept.  The third precept of the Church states: “You shall receive the sacrament of the Eucharist at least during the Easter season” (CCC 2042).   In terms of this precept the Easter season in the United States begins with the First Sunday in Lent and continues through Trinity Sunday. 

Recognizing that the Eucharist is the source and summit of life for all in the Church, the Church requires that every one of her members receive Holy Communion at least once a year for their own good.  Recall that the precepts of the Church present the “indispensable minimum” requirements for basic spiritual health and growth in love of God and love of neighbor.  As with our physical life, so with our spiritual life, we need regular and substantial nourishment if we are going to flourish and grow. 

This precept perhaps seems to state the obvious.  Most Catholics do not require a precept to motivate them to go to Holy Communion at least once a year.  It was not always so.  In previous generations there were often long lines at the confessional and very short lines for Holy Communion. 

PARADOXICALLY, the situation is now reversed.  Consistent encouragement of frequent reception of Communion and active participation in the liturgy means more people now regularly receive the Eucharist. Unfortunately, fewer people now appreciate the importance of the regular reception of the Sacrament of Penance. 

A proper regard for these two sacraments goes hand in hand.  Devout reception of the Sacrament of Reconciliation helps ensure a fruitful reception of the Sacrament of the Eucharist.  It helps keep alive in our hearts and consciences a healthy sense of our unworthiness as well as the unmerited gift of God’s mercy.  The Sacrament of Penance fosters the virtue of humility, without which one ought never to approach the Sacrament of Christ’s Body and Blood.

There are other things that we can and ought to do to ensure that the Eucharist remains the center of our lives and that our Eucharistic faith and devotion remain strong.  Here are a few:

• We can fast.  The required Eucharistic fast of one hour before Communion is a small but important reminder that we need to prepare ourselves properly and intentionally for this encounter with Christ in Holy Communion. 
• We can spend time in Eucharistic adoration.  Eucharistic adoration, or spending time in prayer before Christ present in the tabernacle or in the monstrance, fosters a deeper hunger and longing for our encounter with Christ in Holy Communion. 
• We can embrace prayerful silence.  Prayerful preparation and silence before Mass helps us be attentive and create an interior place of welcome for Christ who comes to us in word and sacrament.
•  We can dress appropriately for the occasion.  The way we dress, with respect and modesty, helps us (and others) acknowledge the presence of Christ in our midst.

THE SECOND AND THIRD precept of the Church, concerning the reception of Penance and Holy Communion, provide a foundation for growth in holiness rooted in the sacraments which Christ has left us as a memorial of his love.

I would like to acknowledge the situation of those Catholics, who because of various circumstances, such as being in an irregular marriage, cannot receive the Eucharist or Reconciliation.  The Church remains very sensitive to this pastoral situation and is deeply concerned for the wellbeing of these members of Christ’s Body. 

While these persons may be unable to fulfill these two precepts, it is vitally important that they continue to participate regularly at Mass, and to take their place in the life of the parish.  The Church encourages the devout practice of making a spiritual communion whenever one of her members is unable to receive Holy Communion sacramentally.  This involves expressing our faith, hope and love for Christ, and inviting Him into our hearts while praying for the grace to be able to receive him fully in the Eucharist at some future time. 

For those unable to receive Christ sacramentally, this practice can be a source of grace and consolation.

Published in

The Register 6-29-2007