Receiving (not taking) Communion: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 14:47, 15 July 2024

The Rite of Communion is the summation of the Liturgy of the Eucharist in which the failthful receive the bread and wine as the Body and Blood of Christ.

In Catholic terminology and practice one "receives" and does not "take" Holy Communion. The Sacraments are gifts of the Lord worked through the Holy Spirit, and so we "receive" and do not "take" the Sacraments, including the Sacrament of the Eucharist.

The Holy Eucharist, i.e., the Body and Blood of Christ, are "distributed" by a Eucharistic Minister (a priest, deacon, or "extraordinary minister").

The worshipper "receives" the host or chalice, which is presented to him or her by a Minister under the authority of the Bishop

see "The distribution of Holy Communion" in Instruction Redemptionis Sacramentum (vatican.va)

For more on the Rite of Comnmunion and the distinction between "taking" and "recieving" Communion see

See here for a discussion about Holy Communion and transfiguration.
Go here for an analysis of the difference between the incorrect "take" and proper "recieve" Communion: Blog:Recieving (not taking) Communion

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-** page under construction**
+The '''Rite of Communion''' is the summation of the Liturgy of the Eucharist in which the failthful receive the bread and wine as the Body and Blood of Christ.
-I don't recall, prior to becoming a Catholic, referring to the Rite of Communion as anything but "taking Communion." As a Catholic, I still hear the phrase, so I do my best as a catechist to teach why we "recieve" and do not "take" Holy Communion.
+In Catholic terminology and practice one "receives" and does not "take" Holy Communion. The [[Glossary of terms for catechism of the Catholic faith#Sacraments, the|Sacraments]] are gifts of the Lord worked through the Holy Spirit, and so we "receive" and do not "take" the Sacraments, including the Sacrament of the Eucharist.
-The USCCB's guide [https://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/the-mass/order-of-mass/liturgy-of-the-eucharist/the-reception-of-holy-communion-at-mass The Reception of Holy Communion at Mass] uses the word "take" twice in reference to recieving the Sacrament, both in terms of its proper reception from one hand to the other:
+The Holy Eucharist, i.e., the Body and Blood of Christ, are "distributed" by a Eucharistic Minister (a priest, deacon,  or "extraordinary minister").
-<pre>The host will then be laid in the palm of the left hand and then taken by the right hand to the mouth. If one is left-handed this is reversed. It is not appropriate to reach out with the fingers and take the host from the person distributing.</pre>
-The word "receive" occurs nineteen times, always in terms of our participation in the Eucharist as recipients, and not "takers" the Lord's Body and Blood.
+The worshipper "receives" the host or chalice, which is presented to him or her by a Minister under the authority of the Bishop
-== Gospel accounts of the Lord's Supper ==
+* see "[https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/ccdds/documents/rc_con_ccdds_doc_20040423_redemptionis-sacramentum_en.html The distribution of Holy Communion]" in ''Instruction Redemptionis Sacramentum'' (vatican.va)
-Jesus "gave" or instructed the disciples to "take" from him (which means "receive from me") his Body and Blood. As we ssee in
-'''Matthew''':
-<pre>''and giving it to his disciples said, “Take and eat; this is my body."'' [https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/26:26 Mt 26:26]</pre>
-'''Mark''':
+For more on the Rite of Comnmunion and the distinction between "taking" and "recieving" Communion see
-<pre>''and gave it to them, and said, “Take it; this is my body."''[https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/14?22 Mk 14:22]</pre>
-'''Luke''':
+* See here for a discussion about [[Holy Communion|Holy Communion and transfiguration]].
-<pre>''"Then he took the bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them''" ([https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/22?19 Lk 22:19 ]</pre>
+* Go here for an analysis of the difference between the incorrect "take" and proper "recieve" Communion: [[Blog:Recieving (not taking) Communion]]
+[[Category:Mass and Liturgy]]
-== Sacrament ==
+[[Category:Catechism of the Catholic Church]]