Holy Communion: purpose, preparation, and fruit

Question 251

Why did Christ institute the Holy Eucharist?

Christ instituted the Holy Eucharist — 1. To unite us to Himself and to nourish our soul with His divine life. 2. To increase sanctifying grace and all virtues in our soul. 3. To lessen our evil inclinations. 4. To be a pledge of everlasting life. 5. To fit our bodies for a glorious resurrection. 6. To continue the sacrifice of the Cross in His Church.

Question 252

How are we united to Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist?

We are united to Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist by means of Holy Communion.

Question 253

What is Holy Communion?

Holy Communion is the receiving of the body and blood of Christ.

Question 254

What is necessary to make a good Communion?

To make a good Communion it is necessary to be in the state of sanctifying grace, to have a right intention, and to obey the laws of fasting. (See Q. 257.)

Question 255

Does he who receives Communion in mortal sin receive the body and blood of Christ?

He who receives Communion in mortal sin receives the body and blood of Christ, but does not receive His grace, and he commits a great sacrilege.

Question 256

Is it enough to be free from mortal sin to receive plentifully the graces of Holy Communion?

To receive plentifully the graces of Holy Communion it is not enough to be free from mortal sin, but we should be free from all affection to venial sin, and should make acts of faith, hope, and love.

Question 257

What is the fast necessary for Holy Communion?

The fast necessary for Holy Communion is to abstain from all food, beverages, and alcoholic drinks for one hour before Holy Communion. Water may be taken at any time. The sick may take food, non-alcoholic drinks, and any medicine up to Communion time. [This answer has been changed in the 1977 printing to bring it up to date with the current rules.]

Question 258

Is any one ever allowed to receive Holy Communion when not fasting?

Any one in danger of death is allowed to receive Holy Communion when not fasting or when it is necessary to save the Blessed Sacrament from insult or injury.

Question 259

When are we bound to receive Holy Communion?

We are bound to receive Holy Communion, under pain of mortal sin, during the Easter time and when in danger of death.

Question 260

Is it well to receive Holy Communion often?

It is well to receive Holy Communion often, as nothing is a greater aid to a holy life than often to receive the Author of all grace and the Source of all good.

Question 261

What should we do after Holy Communion?

After Holy Communion we should spend some time in adoring our Lord, in thanking Him for the grace we have received, and in asking Him for the blessings we need.

Communion with Christ and his Body

Questions 251, 252, 253

The principal fruit of Holy Communion is deeper union with Christ. That union is not merely private: because the faithful share the one bread, the Eucharist also strengthens the unity of Christ's ecclesial body. Grace received in Baptism is preserved, increased, and renewed; charity is strengthened, venial sins are forgiven, and the believer is helped against future grave sin. The sacrament points forward as a pledge of resurrection and everlasting life. The Eucharist also makes present Christ's one sacrifice sacramentally; it neither repeats the Cross nor adds a second sacrifice alongside it.

Worthy and fruitful reception

Questions 254, 255, 256

The sacrament's reality does not depend on a recipient's spiritual condition, but its fruit in the recipient does. Paul therefore commands self-examination and warns against receiving unworthily. A person conscious of grave sin ordinarily receives sacramental absolution before Communion. Right intention, faith, hope, love, freedom from deliberate attachment to sin, and attentive participation dispose a person to receive more fruitfully. This preparation is not a claim that anyone earns Christ or becomes flawless before approaching him; it is an honest response to a holy gift.

The current Eucharistic fast

Questions 257, 258

For the Latin Church, canon 919 currently requires abstinence from food and drink for at least one hour before Holy Communion; water and medicine do not break the fast. The elderly, the infirm, and those caring for them may receive even after taking something within that hour. Priests celebrating more than once have a stated exception as well. Those in danger of death are to receive Viaticum and are not prevented by the ordinary fast. The historical answer's reference to protecting the sacrament records an exceptional case; it should not be used to invent emergencies or handle the Eucharist without proper authority.

The minimum and the invitation

Questions 259, 260

Current canon law requires the faithful, after initiation into the Eucharist, to receive Holy Communion at least once each year, normally during the Easter season unless a just cause permits another time. It strongly urges those in danger of death to receive Viaticum. These minimum obligations are not the ideal measure of Eucharistic life: the Church recommends devout and frequent Communion, even daily, when a person is properly disposed. Frequency should deepen conversion and charity rather than become routine or a comparison with others.

Thanksgiving that continues into life

Questions 261

Quiet adoration, gratitude, and petition after Communion are fitting responses to Christ's gift. Thanksgiving need not end when a private prayer ends. The Eucharist commits the faithful to recognize Christ in the poor, repair divisions, forgive others, and live the self-giving love celebrated at the altar. Personal devotion and responsibility toward neighbors therefore belong together rather than compete.

John 6:53–58

Jesus connects eating his flesh and drinking his blood with abiding communion, present life in him, and resurrection on the last day.

53 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. 54 Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. 55 For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. 56 He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him. 57 As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me. 58 This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever.

1 Corinthians 10:16–17

Paul joins participation in Christ's Body and Blood to the unity of the many who share the one bread.

16 The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? 17 For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.

1 Corinthians 11:27–32

Paul's warning supplies the immediate biblical context for self-examination, discernment, and responsible reception of Communion.

27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. 29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. 30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. 31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. 32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.