According to Catholic teaching, the Eucharist is an important aspect of the Mass. You will receive the Body and Blood of Christ when you receive Communion, but there are certain conditions that must be met in order for you to receive Communion, namely being baptized Catholic and free from mortal sins. The priest or the Communion-bearing officer will distribute the host by placing it on the tongue or palms of the people who wish to receive Communion. If you attend mass with a certain intention, the priest will prepare wine in a chalice so that people can receive the Blood of Christ.
Step
Part 1 of 2: Eligible for Communion
Step 1. Receive the Sacrament of Baptism if you have not been baptized Catholic
Know that one of the conditions for receiving Communion is being Catholic. Children who have been baptized and are educated in Catholic schools will attend regular courses in preparation for receiving First Communion. However, youth and adults must attend courses held at the church in preparation for receiving the Sacraments of Penance, First Communion, and Confirmation. If you have been baptized in a non-Catholic Christian church and want to become a Catholic, you must still be baptized Catholic and say the "Apostles' Creed" (prayer I Believe).
This step must be done before receiving your First Communion in order for you to be officially accepted by the Catholic church
Step 2. Receive communion in a holy condition
Serious sinners cannot receive Communion. If you have ever committed a deadly sin (a mortal sin that broke your relationship with God), you must confess and repent before receiving Communion.
Step 3. Believe in the Catholic church's doctrine of the consecration
You must believe in the consecration, which is the changing of the bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ. When receiving Communion, believe that you really receive the Body and Blood of Christ even if it is only bread and wine.
Step 4. Fast before communion
When fasting, you do not eat or drink anything at least 1 hour before communion, except water and medicine. The elderly or the sick may not fast before Communion according to the rules established by the church.
Step 5. Make sure you are excommunicated
Persons who are subject to excommunication by being excommunicated from the church or because of repeated mortal sins may not receive Communion.
Part 2 of 2: Receiving Communion
Step 1. Attend mass
You will receive communion when you attend mass. To be worthy to participate in the Sacrament of the Eucharist, you must prepare yourself mentally and spiritually when the priest performs the consecration (host and wine are changed into the Body and Blood of Christ), for example by praying to thank and thank God or repent.
Step 2. Walk slowly toward the priest or communion attendant
The priest and the Communion bearer will stand at the designated place to distribute the hosts. Wait for the officer to ask you to stand up to line up. When you leave your seat, you don't need to genuflex (kneel on one leg and make the Sign of the Cross). When lining up, wait your turn patiently and don't interrupt the person in front of you.
Step 3. Accept the shared host
Depending on your denomination and personal preference, you may request that the host be placed on the tongue or in the palm of the hand. In traditional rites of passage, the host is placed on the tongue. To prevent the host from falling, open your mouth and stick out your tongue. After the host is placed on the tongue, close your mouth, wait until the host feels soft while contemplating the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, then swallow it.
- If you want to receive the host with your hands, place your left hand on top of your right hand and stretch it out in front of you. Don't take the host out of the cup yourself. Wait for the host to be placed in your hand.
- As you walk up to the priest or communion officer, he will say, "Body of Christ." Say "Amen" (meaning "I believe"!) to express your faith while bowing your head as a way of showing your respect and trust in Jesus Christ.
Step 4. Receive the Blood of Jesus
After receiving the host, you may receive the Blood of Jesus if wine is provided in the chalice. Instead of drinking wine from a goblet, dip a small portion of the host into the wine. When you dip the host, the person holding the chalice will say, "Blood of Christ". Say, "Amen" as an expression of faith while bowing your head.
Do not drink wine from the goblet alternately to maintain health. Make sure your fingers don't touch the wine when you dip the host in the wine
Step 5. Walk to a seat, then kneel or stand (according to your church's worship service)
This is the time to reflect and thank Jesus for the spiritual nourishment you receive by receiving Holy Communion. After returning to your seat, pray until Communion is finished. Follow what people in church are doing if you don't know what to do.
Tips
- If you are confused when you want to stack your palms, the most practical way to receive Communion is to stick out your tongue.
- If you accidentally drop the host (the Body of Christ) on the floor, pick it up immediately and hand it over to the priest or communion worker. Do not leave the holy host lying on the floor.
- If you want to receive the host in the palm of your hand, place your palms together. You can stack your left hand on top of your right hand or vice versa. The hand on the bottom will hold the host and put it in the mouth.
