142. Dispositions for Holy Communion

This is how we should kneel at the communion rail. We should not crowd or push. (1) shows how to approach and leave the communion rail, with joined hands and downcast eyes. (2) shows how to receive Holy Communion. We open the mouth and extend the tongue a little over the lower lip. Meanwhile let us welcome Jesus Christ into a joyful heart.

What is necessary to receive Holy Communion worthily?

— To receive Holy Communion worthily, it is necessary to be free from mortal sin, and to keep the Eucharistic fast.

The first requirement is for the soul; the second is for the body.

What should we do to comply with the required disposition for the soul?

— We must be in a state of grace.

1. One who knowingly receives Holy Communion in mortal sin truly receives Jesus Christ, but commits sacrilege.

The first bad communion was made by Judas. He had promised to betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. Yet he went to the Last Supper, and received Holy Communion from the hands of Our Lord.

2. One is not required to go to confession before each communion, but only when he is conscious of grievous sin.

If he only doubts whether he committed mortal sin or not, he may still go to Holy Communion after an act of contrition.

3. If without a person's fault he forgets in confession to accuse himself of a mortal sin, it is forgiven with his other sins, and he may go to Holy Communion.

He must, however, mention the sin he forgot when he goes again to confession.

4. One who commits a mortal sin after confession and, not realizing it, goes to Holy Communion, does not make a bad communion.

One makes a bad communion only when one is certain and conscious of being in mortal sin, and still deliberately receives Holy Communion.

5. Venial sins do not and should not prevent our going to Holy Communion.

However, the purer our conscience, the more graces we receive from the sacrament; so we should make an act of contrition beforehand.

6. Before receiving Holy Communion, we should try to have an ardent desire to be united with Christ, and arouse sentiments of faith, humility, hope, and love.

Let us try to bring to our Eucharistic Lord some gift, however small. Let us avoid places of amusement the night before we receive Him in Holy Communion, as a little sacrifice. Let us pray devoutly and continuously, to show Him the joy in our hearts at His coming.

What should we do to comply with the required disposition for the body?

— We must keep the Eucharistic fast.

1. The regulations for keeping the Eucharistic fast are: (a) Natural water — that is, water to which nothing has been added — does not break the Eucharistic fast.

We may drink natural water any time we wish, even a few moments before entering the church to prepare for Holy Communion. Artificial mineral waters, like soda, or water to which a little sugar has been added, is not to be considered natural water for the Eucharistic fast.

(b) We must fast from all solids and liquids, other than water, for no less than a one hour before Communion. It is, however, a very laudable practice when Holy Communion is received in the morning, to fast from midnight; or at least for three hours.

(c) When Holy Communion is received later in the day, although one hour is required, it is again a laudable practice to fast for three hours. Liquids may be taken up until one hour before.

(d) It is highly recommended that alcoholic drinks are not taken within three hours of receiving Holy Communion.

2. Those who wish to receive Holy Communion, but find it difficult to fast under some particular circumstances may seek the permission of a confessor, either personally in the confessional, or personally outside of it, in order to have it mitigated. The confessor is the one to decide whether their difficulties entitle them to it or not.

The particular circumstances are: (a) Heavy labour carried out before Holy Communion. This labour is of those who have to work during the night, like night workmen in factories, nurses, night watchmen, pregnant women, and mothers of families who before going to church must spend a long time on domestic duties.

(c) A long journey to get to church which also takes into consideration the difficulties of the route and the condition of the person.

3. After seeking the personal advice of a confessor, the sick — even those not bedridden — may, with no limit of time, also shortly before Holy Communion, take something in the form of drink (provided it is non-alcoholic).

They may also take medicine, either solid or liquid, but the liquid medicines must not be alcoholic.

4. Those who receive the Holy Viaticum are not bound by the law of fasting. In case of great danger of death, under sentence of death, or in war, or to save the sacred species from desecration, those not fasting may communicate.

How should we behave when receiving Holy Communion?

— Devout and recollected, we should think of the Lord Whom we are receiving, and make fervent acts of virtue.

1. In approaching the communion rail one should have his hands joined, and not walk too hurriedly, nor rush ahead of others, nor insert himself between two persons already kneeling close to each other at the rail.

It is very irreverent for women and girls to go to Holy Communion with sleeveless or short dresses, low necks and pants. The paint of their lipstick may possibly touch the Sacred Host. Men too, should be decently dressed.

2. When the priest approaches, one should raise his head and open his mouth, with the tongue slightly extended over the lower lip.

After Communion, he should withdraw to give room for others, and return to his place with joined hands and downcast eyes.

3. One should swallow the host as soon as he can. Jesus stays with us only as the appearances of bread remain.

If the host sticks to the mouth, we must on no account remove it with the finger, but moisten it with saliva, and remove it with the tongue, then swallow it.

If the host falls onto the ground, never try to pick it up. The priest knows what to do. Remain where you are until the priest beckons you to leave.

If you cannot kneel, you should go see the priest in the sacristy before Mass and explain your difficulty to him.