Should we Accept Communion from Anyone but a Priest?

[TheDonBar]

Good day everyone!

Just a quick update for everyone - I am beyond excited to be able to announce I am currently going through RCIA at my local Parish and on April 20th I will have my baptism, first communion and confirmation.

I did have a question come to mind, at my Parish there a members of the Knights of Columbus who do various works during mass such as reading passages. However, when it comes to take the Eucharist these people (along with the priest) hand out hosts. Is it okay to accept the host from someone who is not a priest?

 

[Michie]

Good day everyone!

Just a quick update for everyone - I am beyond excited to be able to announce I am currently going through RCIA at my local Parish and on April 20th I will have my baptism, first communion and confirmation.

I did have a question come to mind, at my Parish there a members of the Knights of Columbus who do various works during mass such as reading passages. However, when it comes to take the Eucharist these people (along with the priest) hand out hosts. Is it okay to accept the host from someone who is not a priest?

If the priest commissions them to do so after the proper training. I go to the nursing home, hospital and county home and do the same. @Davidnic can give a more thorough explaination to help you out.

 

[tampasteve]

In the USA they are called "Eucharistic Ministers" and most dioceses leave it up to the Bishop or Priest in charge of a church to decide how to (or if to) use Eucharistic Ministers. For distributing the Eucharist outside of church (to sick, home bound, etc.) another person can be tasked with the honor by a priest, many churches use Eucharistic ministers to do this too. So far as I know there is nothing wrong theologically with taking the Eucharist from someone other than a priest, but if your conscience compels you to only do so, then that is OK too. The Eucharist is not made unholy by means such as falling on the ground, I cannot see how taking it from another person in a reverent manner would change it either.

Note, I am a lapsed Catholic, but I am pretty sure the above falls in line with teachings.

 

[TuxAme]

If they are doing so at Mass, then they are Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, and it is perfectly acceptable to receive from one. In my own parish, we use them at every Mass so that the Cup can also be offered. They are used whenever their absence would cause the Mass to conclude at an unreasonable time.

 

[Tomm]

Good day everyone!

Just a quick update for everyone - I am beyond excited to be able to announce I am currently going through RCIA at my local Parish and on April 20th I will have my baptism, first communion and confirmation.

I did have a question come to mind, at my Parish there a members of the Knights of Columbus who do various works during mass such as reading passages. However, when it comes to take the Eucharist these people (along with the priest) hand out hosts. Is it okay to accept the host from someone who is not a priest?

Traditionally, only priests hand out hosts. Traditional Catholics only receive hosts from priests.

 

[Michie]

I just thought of something... The OP is asking about Catholic communion right? We are not allowed to receive communion anywhere but through the Catholic Church.

 

[Davidnic]

It is valid and licit to receive from an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion. They are used for various reasons, but yes, it is allowed.

 

[Davidnic]

I just thought of something... The OP is asking about Catholic communion right? We are not allowed to recieve communion anywhere but through the Catholic Church.

Correct in most circumstances it must be confected by a Catholic priest. Since it is a visible sign of unity we should not receive at a Non-Catholic service. There are some exceptions in danger of death. But even those have complicating factors.

 

[rockytopva]

Charismatics, IMHO, can be too sloppy with the Lord's supper. I have taken communion with the Pentecostal Holiness, Lutheran, and Baptist people but never with the Charismatics.

There is a Charismatic church right down the road from me that I sometimes attend. One day they announced that they were serving communion in a side room somewhere and invited me. I did not even look into the room. I would be afraid to see grape juice, dixie cups, and crackers laid sloppily out on a table.

Now I do attend Charismatic churches on occasion, but if they are going to announce communion I will take great interest in how the Lord's supper is administered. If I make the judgement that it is too sloppy I will not partake of the communion.

Pictured below is the place they serve communion at the St Mary's Catholic church here in Blacksburg. The place is impossible clean and the communion served appropriately.

23 I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:
24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.
25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, this cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.
26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.
27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.
28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.
29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.
30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. - 1 Corinthians 11

To put it all together...

It is healthy- To partake of the communion worthily.
It is unhealthy- To partake of the unworthily

 

[chevyontheriver]

Note, I am a lapsed Catholic, but I am pretty sure the above falls in line with teachings.

You can unlapse, you know. By the way, I think you are entirely correct in your reply to TheDonBar.

 

[Angeldove97]

Traditionally, only priests hand out hosts. Traditional Catholics only receive hosts from priests.

You can be a traditional Catholic and still receive the Blessed Sacrament from a E.M. Receiving one isn't any better because a priest gives it to you.

 

[tampasteve]

You can unlapse, you know. By the way, I think you are entirely correct in your reply to TheDonBar.

Thanks

I would never say never, there is a fond spot in my heart for the time I spent in the RCC. The priests and people I encountered truly are Godly people, people to admire for their faith and strength. I also never say "ex-Catholic" or similar as I understand the RCC reasoning on what it means to be Catholic forever. However, at this time I am not in the same place theologically.