communion once a year

[QuagDabPeg]

What happens if you don't take communion for over a year?

 

[marciadietrich]

I think you probably would need to go to confession, as I think it is a precept of the Church to partake at least once a year at Easter if no other time. Never hurts to talk to your priest. And then get in there and partake of the Eucharist more often.

Marcia

 

[PioMagnus]

If one knew that it was a precept of the Church, and one did not have a good reason for not receiving communion, one would most likely be in a state of mortal sin.

Here are the precepts of the Church:

1.Attend Mass on all sundays and holy days of obligation.
2.Receiving the Eucharist during the Easter season
3.Confessing your sins at least once a year
4.Fasting and abstaining on appointed days
5.Observing the marriage laws of the Church
6.Contributing to the support of the Church

Merry Christmas,
Pio Magnus

 

[QuagDabPeg]

But what if you are not ready to take communion? I'm struggling with my beliefs now and I definately don't feel worthy to take communion. I don't know what I believe, but I respect it enough to know I shouldn't be taking it. I haven't taken communion for 6 months. Then in a month I will be going to China for 6 months and won't be able to go to church (the catholic church is not there, but only a "patriotic" church not in communion with Rome). So unless I resolve all my qualms in the next month, it's unlikely I will receive communion in a year. I've heard that makes you automatically excommunicated. =\

 

[Rising_Suns]

but I respect it enough to know I shouldn't be taking it. I haven't taken communion for 6 months.

My dear sister, peace be with you,

With all sincerety and from the bottom of my heart, you have absolutely NO excuse to go so long without recieving Christ in the Eucharist. Holy Communion is a profound sacrament Christ gave us, and He wants us to do everything we can to partake in it. The only reason why someone may not be able to take it is if they are in a state of mortal sin, which can easily be absolved by going to confession.

Please, for the good of your soul, get yourself to Confession and Communion. By doing so, this will help you profoundly in sorting out your issues and concerns. Never fall into the trap of thinking that doubt is a sufficent reason to avoid receiving Communion; quite the contrary; it's all the more reason to.

May the Lord give you His peace!

-Davide

 

[Rising_Suns]

Then in a month I will be going to China for 6 months and won't be able to go to church (the catholic church is not there, but only a "patriotic" church not in communion with Rome)

This is very serious. I would sugest a couple things to you;

1. For the final month you are here, go to Mass as often as you can. Indeed, go to daily Mass 3, 4, 5 days a week. Submit yourself before God and His holy presence before the Blessed Sacrament. This will help rekindle your spirit and clear your vision so you can better discern what God wants you to do in China.

2. Regarding the Church you mentioned in China and other Church's there; see if any of them--even if they are in a Schism with Rome--have valid sacraments recognized by the Catholic Church. If so, atleast you know you can receive Holy Communion at these Church's, and perhaps even fullfill your sunday obligations.

 

[QuagDabPeg]

I thought you shouldn't take communion if you don't knwo if you believe in the church. It seems like it would be wrong.

 

[Irenaeus]

Quag,

I would run all your doubts and fears by your Confessor, and ask the Mother of God for her help.

Open your soul to your Confessor, or find one you are comfortable with, and hopefully he is learned and holy.

I've had days when I've received the Eucharist where I wasn't on top of the world, so to speak, with the fervor of my devotion. All I could really say was, "I believe, Lord Jesus." Such acts, I think, are pleasing to God.

I'll be praying for you. God Bless.

 

[Rising_Suns]

I thought you shouldn't take communion if you don't knwo if you believe in the church. It seems like it would be wrong.

As a baptised and confirmed Catholic, you should most certainly be taking Communion, ESPECIALLY during periods of doubt like you are having now. Get this thought (or, excuse?) of of your mind that you are not in a worthy state to receive Christ in the Eucharist. There is nothing like the real presence of Christ to help clear your vision and discern truth. This is very important, and if you decide you want to leave the Catholic Church, you should atleast give her every possible chance you can. By NOT receiving Holy Communion for 6 months, you are already turning your back on the Church and are closing the door on her. You have not been giving Christ a chance to stir in your heart through His Church; quite frankly, it is no sruprise you are having doubts.

I implore you from the bottom of my heart; begin going to daily Mass as often as you can; spend some time in the blessed sacrament chapel in the stillness of your heart; put forth some effort, and give your worries up before God.

-Davide

 

[PioMagnus]

None of us are worthy of the Most Blessed Sacrament of the Eucharist.

"Lord I am not worthy, but only say the word and I shall be healed."

God Bless you,
Pio Magnus

 

[ByzantineDixie]

Just a question...I am interested in the Catholic perspective.

Do y'all see a difference between having doubt and being unworthy?

1 Cor 11:27Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. 28A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. 29For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself. 30That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep.

While I agree, no one is worthy to receive from a sinlessness perspective, we are all sinners...worthiness comes from faith. But in my understanding, if someone has grave concerns about their faith that they can not believe the body and blood are truly present in the sacrament, then those folks are called to abstain because there are negative consquences for communing outside of faith.

Is this not the Catholic understanding?

Thanks

Rose

 

[marciadietrich]

I would think if there is doubt but you still accept the authority and teaching of the Church then you can and should receive. But if you have both doubt and reject the teaching and the authority of the Church to teach that doctrine, then probably should not at that point. Just mean it when you pray that you are not worthy, and even if you don't comprehend or have some nagging doubts I don't think that equals being unworthy.

And in the context of Paul's statements I think we should worry more about if we are treating fellow believers properly (as that was the exact context of his statement), and our state of mind there, than if we have some qualms on some level about the exact nature of the Eucharist if you still believe there is a reality of Jesus' presence and a reality of it making us one with each other and Christ.

 

[NDIrish]

Just a question...I am interested in the Catholic perspective.

Do y'all see a difference between having doubt and being unworthy?

Absolutely...having a certain level of doubt can almost be unavoidable. In times like that, we should get closer to the Lord by receiving Him more frequently, and pray from Him to increase your faith.

In fact, you should pray for an increase in faith, hope and charity every day.

 

[xxRachaelxx]

4.Fasting and abstaining on appointed days

what are the appointed days?

 

[Paul S]

what are the appointed days?

Under the current 1983 Code of Canon Law, Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are days of fast. This means one main meal a day and two smaller meals which together do not exceed the main meal.

Abstinence (no meat) is required on Ash Wednesday and all Fridays of the year. National bishops' conferences may change this - the USCCB has decided to allow substitution of some other penance on Fridays, but some penance may be done. The easiest (in the sense of knowing you've complied with the requirement, since almost no guidelines have been given on what constitutes "penance") is to abstain from meat. I'm not sure what the rules are for the UK - if your diocese has a website, check with them, or ask a good priest.

Under the previous 1917 Code of Canon Law, which is no longer binding, but which some Catholics choose to follow voluntarily:

The days of abstinence are all Fridays of the year.

The days of fasting and abstinence are Ash Wednesday, the Ember days, the Vigil of Pentecost, the Vigil of the Assumption, the Vigil of All Saints, and the Vigil of Christmas. On the Ember Wednesdays and Saturdays, meat may be eaten at the main meal only.

All the other days of Lent are days of fast only (meat may be eaten).

 

[Rising_Suns]

But in my understanding, if someone has grave concerns about their faith that they can not believe the body and blood are truly present in the sacrament, then those folks are called to abstain because there are negative consquences for communing outside of faith.

Is this not the Catholic understanding?

Yes, that is right. But our friend QuagDabPeg has not said that she has rejected the Real Presence or the Church. She only said that she is having doubts, which is all the more reason to go to Mass and receive Communion.

She has expressed that she doesn't feel worthy enough to receive the sacrament, and although this shows a very deep respect for Holy Communion, this also reveals a misunderstanding of the sacrament. Christ gave us Communion as a means to draw us close to Him; it is a profound act of love through the continuation of His sacrifice He made on calvery. It is thus we should be making every effort we can to receive His body and blood in this most Blessed Sacrament.

 

[ByzantineDixie]

Yes, that is right. But our friend QuagDabPeg has not said that she has rejected the Real Presence or the Church. She only said that she is having doubts, which is all the more reason to go to Mass and receive Communion.

She has expressed that she doesn't feel worthy enough to receive the sacrament, and although this shows a very deep respect for Holy Communion, this also reveals a misunderstanding of the sacrament. Christ gave us Communion as a means to draw us close to Him; it is a profound act of love through the continuation of His sacrifice He made on calvery. It is thus we should be making every effort we can to receive His body and blood in this most Blessed Sacrament.

Thanks so much for clarifying for me, RS.

Our pastor says something like this... "If you think you are unworthy and should not receive communion then this is exactly when you need to come but if you think you are truly worthy [based on your own merits]...you probably should stay away."

I do think the "Lord, I am not worthy to receive you..." declaration in the liturgy is a good reminder of this.

Peace

Rose

 

[Paul S]

Our pastor says something like this... "If you think you are unworthy and should not receive communion then this is exactly when you need to come but if you think you are truly worthy [based on your own merits]...you probably should stay away."

I do think the "Lord, I am not worthy to receive you..." declaration in the liturgy is a good reminder of this.

That's a great point, with the added reminder that one who is unworthy because of mortal sin should not receive until he has been to sacramental Confession. If one denies the Real Presence, he should not receive, but struggling with doubts is all the more reason to receive Jesus truly present in the Eucharist.

The Domine, non sum dignus is one of my favourite prayers at Mass, reminding us that none of us are truly worthy to receive Jesus, but because of his love, he desires to be with us anyway.

Domine, non sum dignus ut intres sub tectum meum, sed tantum dic verbo et sanabitur anima mea.

Lord, I am not worthy that Thou shouldst enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.