Catholic Communion
(by Paul Turner)
Visitors to Catholic parishes often complain that they may not join in
communion at Mass. Many other denominations welcome all who profess faith
in Christ to the communion table, but Catholics have always restricted who
shares the meal. For those who practice hospitality at home by setting an
extra place at the table for visitors, the Catholic custom gives offense.
However, Catholic communion is just that, a sign of Catholic unity. The
Eucharist symbolizes our union with God but also our union with one
another.
Many groups use a symbol to identify their members. Students wear
school jackets. Scouts earn medals. These customs give groups signs of
association. When a new member joins the group, the symbol frequently
becomes part of the rite of the initiation, a sign of transition, and a
source of pride. Those baptized in other communities who make a profession
of faith with us may be received into the full communion of the Catholic
Church. Their communion becomes the high point of their transition into
membership.
Ordinarily, Catholics do not share communion at other churches, nor do
other believers share communion in Catholic churches. Exceptions exist,
but they are rare. In danger of death, for example, or in some grave
necessity, non-Catholics might receive communion. If they do not have
regular access to their own minister, ask for Catholic communion on their
own and express a Catholic faith in the Eucharist, they may obtain
permission to receive communion.
Theologians debate the possibilities for full communion while ordinary
families find themselves separated by what often appears to them as small
differences in their beliefs. The more unity we find among ourselves, the
closer all Christian churches will come to resolving the differences.
Copyright 1996 Resource Publications,
Inc., 160 E. Virginia St.#290, San Jose, CA 95112. (408) 286-8505.
This information has been
reprinted from Holy Cross' Sunday Bulletins
Holy Cross Catholic Church - Batavia, IL -- Page
Last Updated 03 Apr 2007
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