Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus,

As we continue on our journey of faith, I would like to probe deeper into the message of Holy Communion.  In the General Instruction of the Roman Missal we read this about “Holy Communion.”

“While the heart of the celebration of the Eucharist is the Eucharistic Prayer, the consummation of the Mass is found in the Holy Communion, whereby the people purchased for the Father by his beloved Son eat and drink the Body and Blood of Christ.  They are thereby joined together as members of Christ’s mystical Body, sharing the one life of the Spirit.  In the great sacrament of the altar, they are joined to Christ Jesus and to one another.

It was also Christ’s will that this sacrament be received as the soul’s spiritual food to sustain and build up those who live with his life, as he said, “He who eats me, he also shall live because of me” (John 6:57).  This sacrament is also to be a remedy to free us from our daily defects and to keep us from mortal sin.  It was Christ’s will, moreover, that this sacrament be a pledge of our future glory and our everlasting happiness and, likewise, a symbol of that one body of which he is the head (Luke 22:19 and 1 Corinthians 11:3).  He willed that we, as members of this body should be united to it by firm bonds of faith, hope, and love, so that we might all say the same thing, and that there might be no dissensions among us (1 Corinthians 1:10).  

As Catholics, we fully participate in the celebration of the Eucharist when we receive Holy Communion.  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 the Lord 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 (canon 916).  A frequent reception of the Sacrament of Penance is encouraged for all.”  

May God be with you,

Fr. David