Eucharist
The Eucharist (from the Greek word eucharistia, meaning thanksgiving) is Jesus Christ truly and substantially present in the form of bread and wine in his self-offering to the Father unto the cross for the salvation of all, and to the faithful as spiritual food and drink. It is the source and summit of the Christian life.
At the Last Supper, the Lord instituted the eucharistic sacrifice of his body and blood. He did this in order to perpetuate the sacrifice of the cross throughout the ages until he should come again, and so to entrust to the church a memorial of his death and resurrection.
Receiving the Eucharist (holy Communion) completes Christian initiation. Through this sacrament our oneness with Christ from baptism and confirmation is renewed and perfected.
We are more fully united to him in his eternal self-offering to the Father in praise and thanksgiving, obedience and love. As we participate with the whole community of believers in the Lord’s own sacrifice, the mystical body of Christ, the church, grows toward full stature.
Requirements for Participation in Mass and Holy Communion
For Catholics
We are encouraged to receive Communion devoutly and frequently. In order to be properly disposed to receive Communion, participants should not be conscious of grave sin and normally should have fasted for one hour. A person who is conscious of grave sin is not to receive the body and blood of Christ without prior sacramental confession, except for a grave reason where there is no opportunity for confession.
In this case, the person is to be mindful of the obligation to make an act of perfect contrition, including the intention of confessing as soon as possible (Code of Canon Law, Canon 916). A frequent reception of the sacrament of reconciliation is encouraged for all.
As Catholics, we are obliged to participate in the celebration of the Eucharist (Mass) at least every Sunday and holy days of obligation; we are to participate fully, actively and deliberately, learning to offer ourselves to and with Christ in holy Communion in his self-offering to the Father for the life of the world.
For fellow Christians
We welcome our fellow Christians to this celebration of the Eucharist as our brothers and sisters. We pray that our common baptism and the action of the Holy Spirit in this Eucharist will draw us closer to one another and begin to dispel the sad divisions which separate us. We pray that these will lessen and finally dis¬appear, in keeping with Christ’s prayer for us “that they may all be one” (Jn 17:21).
Because Catholics believe that the celebration of the Eucharist is a sign of the reality of the oneness of faith, life, and worship, members of those churches with whom we are not yet fully united are ordinarily not admitted to holy Communion.
Eucharistic sharing in exceptional circumstances by other Christians requires permission according to the directives of the diocesan bishop and the provisions of canon law (Canon 844 § 4). Members of the Orthodox churches, the Assyrian Church of the East, and the Polish National Catholic Church are urged to respect the discipline of their own churches. According to Roman Catholic discipline, the Code of Canon Law does not object to the reception of Communion by Christians of these churches (canon 844 §3).
For those not receiving Holy Communion
All who are not receiving holy Communion are encouraged to express in their hearts a prayerful desire for unity with the Lord Jesus and with one another.
For Non-Christians
We also welcome to this celebration those who do not share our faith in Jesus Christ. While we cannot admit them to holy Communion, we ask them to offer their prayers for the peace and unity of the human family.