Why does the Church exclude people from Holy Communion?

By Jillian Cooke, MTh, MAPM






Fr. Kolbe Missionary of the Immaculata

 I hear it often, and it becomes a very personal thing, Why can't I (my mom, my kid, my neighbor) go to Communion? In a typically Socratic (or perhaps just Jillian) way, I ask in return "I'm not sure of your specific situation, do you have any idea why not?" To which the inquirer generally gives me a long list - or rather a monologue - of reasons and lamentations and frustrations.

Many of them arouse a deep sympathy, and the sensitive side of me begins to dialogue with the rational, like the Church I begin to (at least figuratively) "weep over Jerusalem." It is a wonderful opportunity to remind myself of the beauty of the faith, and in turn to educate my dear brothers and sisters about the care of the Church. The Church cares deeply for her flock, but will not subjugate the truth, her Lord, to the whims of that flock.

The Church does not, technically, exclude anyone from Holy Communion. Our choices exclude us. Sometimes the consequences of  these choices are long and painful, but they are still the consequences of of our poor use of free-will.

Truth #1
When we go up to receive Holy Communion, we are receiving the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus Christ our Lord. Christ is one with the Father and the Spirit. It is the most intimate event of our lives. The Minister holds the host before our eyes and says, "Body (or Blood of Christ)," and we reply "Amen." An offense against the Holy Eucharist is an offense against the Almighty and All-Loving God.
Read more in the Catechism of the Catholic Church.


Therefore, non-believers...
We love you. The Church loves you. You may very well beat us all to heaven, but you cannot go up to communion and say you believe in something you don't. This is just a simple matter of dignity for you, the Sacrament, and above all Our Lord.

Truth #2
A sacrament is an "efficacious sign." It is a sign that makes present what it signifies. The water from baptism signifies, and makes actual, the cleansing from original sin. Holy Communion signifies and makes actual the communion in the Body of Christ, the Church. (This isn't all, of course, but we are sticking with this aspect for today.)

Therefore, Catholics in a state of mortal sin, unlawful marriage, non-practicing...
When I go to receive Holy Communion, I must be in communion with the Church. If not, I'm mocking the sacrament and essentially acting out a lie. I am signifying that I am in communion, while in fact not being so. Again, this is an insult to my dignity, and that of the Church, the sacrament, and Our Lord. Mortal sin, that is any serious sin committed intentionally with full awareness of the offense, separates us from communion, because it is the antithesis of charity.

Truth #3
The moment of Holy Communion is the "climax" of the Mass. Throughout the Mass we are led from the Confiteor to the Great Amen. We've prepared to receive Christ through the confession of our unworthiness, listening to his Word in Holy Scripture, seeking his aid through the intercessory prayer, offering ourselves with the Holy Sacrifice in the offertory, coming together as a Church to summarize it all in the Our Father, offering peace to one another as a final act of reconciliation, and THEN and only then going up to Our God to receive him.

Therefore late attendance, or downright-intentional distraction, must be prayerfully avoided....
Is there a moment that you consider unimportant for preparation? Do you run into Mass after the Gospel already with the Word of God on your heart and mind? The Mass is a prayer of poignant beauty. We would not pray the Rosary only muttering "now and at the hour of our death" over and over. What makes us think that we should pray only a fraction of this solemn prayer?  Definitely, we should check ourselves before going to Mass if we have prepared to receive Our Lord... or are we taking this to much in stride? This response has more questions than answers. The fact of the matter is that - with right emphasis being given to the unity of the Mass - there is no hard and fast rule. One thing for certain: you've missed Mass if you aren't there for the consecration. Read more here.

Now, you may be wondering how to prepare for Holy Communion in a whirlwind of a world, or perhaps what to do if you cannot receive Holy Communion? Stay tuned....