An Apologetical Explanation of

Preparing to Receive Holy Communion

How can we best prepare to receive Holy Communion?

Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of profaning the body and blood of the Lord.  Let a man examine himself, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup.  For any one who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment upon himself.  (1 Cor 11:27-29)

Jesus answered [the Jews], “I am the living bread which came down from heaven; if any one eats of this bread, he will life for ever; and the bread which I shall give for the life of the world is my flesh.”  (Jn 6:51)

In order to receive the Body and Blood of Christ in Holy Communion and to avail ourselves of its graces, we should make sure we are properly disposed and free of mortal sin.

Christ invites us urgently to receive his Body and Blood in the Sacrament of the Eucharist in Holy Communion.  As with all the Sacraments, grace is given by virtue of the celebration of the Sacrament, but our acceptance and ability yo benefit from that sacramental grace is dependent upon our disposition.  Our acceptance of Christ’s invitation requires that we come properly prepared, with the proper interior disposition (cf. CIC 916) and in a state of grace.  St. Paul exhorted the faithful of Corinth to perform an examination of conscience before they presented themselves to receive the Eucharist lest they commit the sin of sacrilege by receiving unworthily.  (cf. 1 Cor 11:27-29).  (Cf. CCC 1384-1385)

Recognizing our unworthiness to receive the Body and Blood or Christ is an essential step in our preparation.  The liturgy of the Church has us echo the words of the centurion (cf. Lk 7:6) in a prayer before Communion, “Lord, I am not worthy / that you should enter under by roof.”  In keeping with the solemnity of this great Sacrament, we should prepare with the period of fasting required by the Church (cf. CIC 919) and approach the altar with reverent and respectful posture, gestures, and attire.  (Cf. CCC 1098, 1387-1387)

Above all, we must not be aware of any mortal sin on our souls.  Mortal sin constitutes a breach in our relationship with God and the Church and thereby obliges us to refrain from receiving the Eucharist, the Sacrament of unity.  If we have committed a mortal sin, we must receive the Sacrament of Penance before presenting ourselves to receive Holy Communion.  (Cf. CCC 1395, 1457)

The Catechism addresses this question in paragraphs 1387-1388 and 1415.

The contents of this page are Copyright © 2014 Rev. James Socias (of the Midwest Theological Forum). These apologetics are reproduced with written consent of said copyright holder for St Patricks Parish, Jaffrey, NH website only. Reproduction of any sort must be approved directly by said copyright holder.

To get a hardcopy of these Apologetics or the Didache Bible please visit the Midwest Theological Forum (publisher) at: http://www.theologicalforum.org