Q. Who can and who can’t receive Communion – can people like unwed mothers, divorced persons, etc. receive Communion?
A. Thank you for writing. I get a lot a lot of questions on this very topic on a regular basis.
As you know, the Eucharist is central to Catholic Church teaching. As a sacrament of initiation we Catholics believe the Eucharist is the very Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus. The Second Vatican Council boldly said the “Eucharistic sacrifice is the source and summit of the Christian life.” (Chapter II: The People of God).
Only baptized Catholics in a state of grace are permitted to receive the Eucharist. A very early Catholic Church document written in the first century called the Didache states this clearly: “But let no one eat or drink of your Thanksgiving (Eucharist), but they who have been baptized into the name of the Lord” (Ch. 9).
The Holy Eucharist is the most important of the seven sacraments because, in this sacrament, we receive Jesus Christ Himself. Innumerable, precious graces come to us through the reception of Holy Communion.
The Scriptures are very clear about the reality of the Eucharist being Jesus’ very Body and Blood. Among the many Biblical passages these are some of the most straightforward: John 6:54-57; 1 Corinthians 11:26 ff; Acts 2:42-43; 1 Corinthians 10:17; John 6:48- 50; John 6:32, 55 and Luke 22:19-20.
Holy Communion is an intimate encounter with Christ, in which we sacramentally receive Christ into our bodies, that we may be more completely assimilated into his, St. Pope John Paul II said in Redemptor Hominis 20 “The Eucharist builds the Church.”
The Catechism of the Catholic Church has a very detailed and fascinating description of the Eucharist in paragraphs 1322-1419.
The Catholic Church sets out specific guidelines regarding how we should prepare ourselves to receive the Lord’s Body and Blood in Communion. First, you must be in a state of grace. “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” (1 Cor. 11:27–28). This is an absolute requirement that can never be dispensed. To receive the Eucharist without sanctifying grace in your soul profanes the Eucharist in a most grievous manner. To receive the Eucharist in a state of serious sin would be a sacrilege.
A mortal sin is any sin whose matter is grave and which has been committed willfully and with knowledge of its seriousness: Matt. 5:28–29. Scripture contains lists of mortal sins (for example, 1 Cor. 6:9–10 and Gal. 5:19–21). For further information on what constitutes a mortal sin, the Catechism of the Catholic Church again is a great source in paragraphs 1849-1864.
Therefore, if a baptized Catholic is not in the state of mortal sin and desires to receive the Eucharist he or she may. Just because someone is an unwed mother, or someone is divorced and not remarried or any other seemingly “disqualifying” social circumstances does not necessarily disqualify one from receiving the Eucharist. If you have additional questions or wish a clarification of qualities or circumstances to receive the Eucharist, I ask that you visit with your parish priest.
This question was answered by a priest of the Diocese of Lincoln. Write to Ask the Register using our online form, or write to 3700 Sheridan Blvd., Suite 10, Lincoln NE 68506-6100. All questions are subject to editing. Editors decide which questions to publish. Personal questions cannot be answered. People with such questions are urged to take them to their nearest Catholic priest.
