Religious Education>> Sacraments>> Holy Communion
The Sacrament of Holy Communion
{ The Holy Eucharist }
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December 4th. N.E.T. Retreat for Confirmands and 2nd year OCIC
The proper way to receive the Sacrament of Holy Eucharist
The proper way to receive the Sacrament of Holy Eucharist
During mass, an usher usually signals each pew (Church bench) for those wishing to go forward to Holy Communion. During the Vigil mass or during a "First Holy Communion Mass," the elect (or communicant) individually, will be signaled by an assigned usher or Master of Ceremony (MC) or may be called by name. At the Easter Vigil, or during a "First Holy Communion Mass," generally the elect (or communicant) receives their first Holy Communion before the rest of the community.
The communicant (You as the person receiving Holy Communion) proceed forward. When you come before the priest or assigned eucharistic minister, you bow reverently. Then both hands are lifted with palms facing upwards so that the left palm is exposed, and the right palm is underneath the left palm.
The priest or assigned eucharistic minister will say; “The Body of Christ.” You as the communicant responds; “Amen.” Then the host is placed onto the open left palm. As the communicant, while standing in front of the priest or assigned eucharistic minister, you take your right hand, pick up the host, and place it into your mouth.
Communicant: Proceed to where the communion is being offered.
Communicant: Bow.
Priest: “Body of Christ.”
Communicant: “Amen.” [ Receive the Host into your mouth and consume.
When receiving in the hand, hold you left palm up and place your right-hand underneath. When the Host is received, pick it up with the right hand and consume. ]
In moments when the precious blood is provided. You will move to the priest or assigned eucharistic minister holding the chalice. Once there, you will bow. The priest or assigned eucharistic minister will say; “The Blood of Christ.” You respond with, “Amen.” Grasp the chalice and gently pull it from the hands of the assigned minister. You then take a sip from the chalice, then return the chalice to the assigned minister, making sure they have a firm grip before letting go.
Communicant: Move to the Chalice
Communicant: Bow
Priest: “Blood of Christ”
Communicant: “Amen” [Sip from the Chalice and consume.]
Communicant: Return to the pew and kneel in prayer.
What is the Holy Eucharist?
What is the Holy Eucharist?
The reference to the sacrifice of the Mass, points to same sacrifice on the cross. It does not mean that Jesus is sacrificed over and over in a perpetual sense nor does the church teach this! The gift which comes from the Sacrifice on the Cross is not bound by time. Jesus looked across all ages and His sacrifice was for everyone. Each mass across the ages is a sharing in the exact same sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross.
The Holy Eucharist is the Sacrament and the sacrifice under the appearances of bread (a wafer) and wine, the Lord Jesus Christ is contained, offered, and received.[1]Catholics believe they receive Christ fully sacrificed. He was sacrificed for all mankind in all ages. It is the exact same sacrifice of His coming and crucifixion which is received.
The whole Christ is really, truly, and substantially present in the Holy Eucharist. The words "really, truly, and substantially" are used to describe Christ's presence in the Holy Eucharist in order to distinguish between Our Lord's teaching, and that of mere men who falsely teach that the Holy Eucharist is only a sign or figuratively Christ, or that He is present only by His power.
All Christians, with but few minor exceptions, held the true doctrine of the Real Presence from the time of Christ[2] until the Protestant Revolt in the 16th century.
Critics have stated that we as Catholics offer Jesus as the Re-sacrifice over and over. NOT TRUE!! Each Mass is a sharing in the same sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross. Jesus being God looked across all space and time and was not subject to it.[3]Catholics believe, when he died on the cross it was for all sins; past, present and future. "Christ having risen from the dead, dies now no more" (Romans 6:9).
Jesus sacrifice on the cross is grace freely given for all mankind and it occurs within all space and time only for the sake of humanity. But its merits are not bound by the limitations of space at time.
Jesus death was a most Holy act. The Catholic sacrament of Holy Eucharist is the very same sacrifice Jesus made on the cross. By the mystery of the power of Jesus Christ, the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross almost two thousand years ago is made present to us at that moment. It as if we are briefly transported back in time to that same moment. Some critics say this is impossible. Impossible for man yes, but nothing is impossible for GOD!! God is not bound by space and time. The things He ordains and does for our sake, are not constrained by space and time.
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[1][1 Corinthians 10:16] The cup (chalice) of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ?
[2] [CCC 1342]From the beginning the Church has been faithful to the Lord's command. Of the Church of Jerusalem, it is written: They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. . . . . Day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they partook of food with glad and generous hearts (Acts 2:42,46)
[3][Ephesians 1:19-21] and what is the surpassing greatness of his power for us who believe, in accord with the exercise of his great might,r20which he worked in Christ, raising him from the dead and seating him at his right hand in the heavens,s21far above every principality, authority, power, and dominion, and every name that is named not only in this age but also in the one to come.
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