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Communion, Holy |
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BASIC R.C. BELIEF
One of the seven sacraments of the Roman Catholic Church. It is a partaking
of Jesus in the form of a Host at Mass or Holy Viaticum.
Roman Catholics must taken communion at least once a year.
At the consecration during Mass, the Host becomes Jesus Christ. After
the sacrifice is completed (when the priest consumes the wafer), the
faithful are urged to receive Holy Communion. From about 600 to 1977, the
Host was placed on the tongue by the priest. It is now permissible to
receive Holy Communion in the hand.
Most of the time, the people receive only the wafer; however, receiving
communion in both kinds (bread and wine) is increasing in progressive Roman
Catholic circles.
POST VATICAN II
When administering Communion, Pope John Paul II has been seen to refuse to
give it into the hand of a communicant and then to place it on the tongue.
CATHOLIC JOURNALS
From St. Anthony Messenger, " OFFERING COMMUNION TO THOSE
WHO ARE NOT CATHOLICS. " (This was being done in a nursing home;
the reader asks if it is correct - the officiating priests say it is good
pastoral practice.)
A: According to guidelines submitted by the U.S. National Conference of
Catholic Bishops, "We welcome to this celebration of the Eucharist those
Christians who are not fully united with us...we cannot extend to them a
general invitation to receive Communion."
The answerer goes on to say, "I appreciate the desire to minister with a good
pastoral approach - but I would suggest that ignoring the laws and directives
set by the Holy See and bishops is not a good pastoral approach."
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