Catholic FAQ #1: Why can't non-Catholics go to Communion?

[sassylassy01]

Communion is a GIFT from God. Catholics have no right to withhold it from anybody.

[Gaming64bitStyle]

I wrote a previous post here that BigGrinStudios was so kind to reply to (thank you for that by the way). I won't be receiving my baptism, first communion, or confirmation this Easter. I was hospitalized for roughly three to four weeks and missed four meeting and four dismissals. The Sister who was in charge of my RCIA said that I missed too much to qualify. I ask myself often now, "Why did he do this? Does he want me at all?" I guess I'll never know...

[BigGrinStudios]

@Gaming64bitStyle Your heart is what matters. Your desire to follow Christ is ultimately what is required. That is between you and him. While the Church provides an important process that helps to usher you deeper into the mysteries and community of God, he is with you now. You belong to him and he knows it. Stay the course. It will be worth it in eternity.

[KingOystar]

Great explanation! I am not a christian in general and I never take communion out of respect for christians.

[Gaming64bitStyle]

I'm going through RCIA right now as a Catechumen (I'm not baptized). I was Agnostic before I converted to Catholicism. The thing is... I TRULY 100% believe in the transubstantiation, and I fully understand the fact that it IS Jesus Christ. It just kills me to not be able to go up and receive communion... I always feel a tug at my heart and a pain inside my very soul because I can't participate in it... Sometimes, I even cry because I can't do the one thing I desperately want to...

[BigGrinStudios]

@Gaming64bitStyle Thank you for sharing this! Your love for Christ is beautiful. If only more of us had your heart and passion to be so intimately connected to Jesus. The Lord will bless you in this time of preparation and we will be rejoicing with you this Easter!

[MoDeeSeventyThree]

I was raised Catholic and know from experience that most Catholics see the Eucharist as symbolic and don't know anything about transubstantiation....isn't that a problem if part of the significance is that Catholics are supposed to know what it means and actually don't...I'm wondering why this doctrine wasn't explained or stressed more growing up

[cburton103]

@MoDeeSeventyThree Unfortunately this is true with many Catholics. Catechesis in the Church was quite poor for the last 30-40 years, but there are many reasons to believe that it is improving greatly with the last two popes' calls for the New Evangelization, which begins from within the Church first.

As a cradle Catholic though, I can testify that I personally grew up being taught the meaning and importance of the Eucharist. I pray that you'll join me in the New Evangelization. God bless.

[jedi0424]

I enjoy your videos, but your logic is inconsistent...According to your statements here, only Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox believe trans-substantiation...are Eastern Orthodox welcome to partake in HE despite the excommunication of 1054??

I agree with you that the Lord's Supper should not be strictly about hospitality, but at the same time, I believe God's love expressed in Communion should not be with-held on denominational grounds.

[thischannelpointless]

@jedi0424 The mutual excommunication with the Eastern Orthodox has been lifted since then, and in fact did not affect the whole Churches but only certain individuals. The reasons for the continued divisions are mostly political and a few misconceptions about the other party's doctrine due to divergence of language. The Churches have been in fact coming closer together in the last 50 years or so.

[squirell1952]

WHEN THERE IS DARKNESS IN OUR SOULS, WE RECEIVE JESUS AND HE LIGHTENS THE PLACE UP. THINK ABOUT IT. WHETHER YOU ARE A CATHOLIC OR WHATEVER, JESUS REACHES THE PARTS NOBODY ELSE CAN REACH!!!READ THAT LAST BIT AGAIN!! HE BRINGS HEALING TO US. Now, if the RC Church discriminates against people, why does it enrol NON Catholics in their schools? It's not about expensive fees being paid, is it? Oh, of course not!!

[HeyMrItsJayJay]

i disagree totally on the whole anglo-catholic (anglican) thing you talked about. We have the same view on the holy mass then catholics, some catholic churches i have been to have are not as reverent with the mass as the anglican church is... so if catholics think that this is the real body and blood of christ why are they standing to take communion and anglicans kneel? doesnt make sense?

[tomek92pl]

So you BELIEVE that the bread and wine TRULY becomes the BODY & BLOOD of Jesus Christ, while you can see it's bread and wine... ok. Then you kneel before it... and eat it. So... you glorify death & suffering, right?

[italianstallion71194]

Dear Father,

i am not a Roman Catholic, but i do attend a RC school and have found a unity and sense of pride in Catholicism and my school, through my Catholic High School education i have grown to understand Catholicism and have quite honestly thought about converting, with this being said i want to Thank God for Catholic education whether or not you are Catholic or not is irrelevant the education you get at a Catholic School is second to none. Thank you Father, please pray for me!-Louie

[caddy505]

Well...I'm not a catholic but I do believe in the holiness of the communion. My church does have communion on the third Sunday of the month if there is one. Most of my family is catholic so I have a strong connection to Catholicism. Would I be able to join my family's communion?

[BigGrinStudios]

@caddy505 Holy Communion is the expression of the unity of the Body of Christ. To belong to the Catholic Church, one must be baptized in her, share her faith, and live in union with her. It would be a contradiction if the Church were to invite to Communion people who do not (yet) share the faith and life of the Church. However, Holy Communion may be administered to an individual if there is grave necessity and evidence of faith in the Real Presence in the Eucharist. Were you baptized Catholic?

[Gazdo01]

@BigGrinStudios In fact, if you read Summa Theologiae, St Thomas explains why baptism OUTSIDE of Catholicism is valid, as long as it is done in the "name of The F, S and HS".

This is confirmed by some great popes throughout history who, when asked if heretics christians were to be baptised again if they were to join the Catholic Church, said no, AS LONG as it had been done in the Tradition of the Church. i.e. Baptism in the name of the Trinity (as it is found at the end of the Gospel of Matthew)

[collegesuccess]

@BigGrinStudios Although I may have missed it your written comments, it is vital to point out that a person who is Catholic is not automatically permitted to receive communion, simply on that basis, unless he or she has examined himself or herself to be in the state of grace at the time of its reception. If in a state of a sin unto death (i.e. mortal sin), Catholics are bound to take seek forgiveness in the sacrament of confession, first. Non-Catholics of good will will respect this. 

[KingOystar]

I am not a Catholic and Im not a christian but I was just very curious about this thanks.

[mastertinter731]

I have a question ? I am not Cathloic, I was brought up in a Lutheran church. My question is when I take communion in my church ( as a Lutheran ) is that honered by God in your view ? Honest question ?

[BigGrinStudios]

@mastertinter731 The Catholic Church CERTAINLY honors your prayers and celebrations of the faith! Catholics believe that the Eucharist is the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ - not just a symbol. Just because you might not believe that doesn't mean we "dishonor" your reception of communion. Great question!

[mastertinter731]

@BigGrinStudios Thank you for your reply sir ! God bless you brother.

[CaliforniaCatholic]

Good video

[kingwaja]

So why did the Pope give communion to the then anglican Tony Blair?

Also, why did that South African Priest give communion the the protestant Bill Clinton?

[BigGrinStudios]

@kingwaja In the case of Tony Blair, the Holy Father had the authority to do so. There are special provisions for Anglicans. As for the South African priest who gave Communion to Bill Clinton, he was not supposed to and was disciplined for it.

[Gazdo01]

@kingwaja I heard Tony Blair converted to Catholicism