Communion is one of the most important parts of the Christian mass because it represents our taking of the Eucharist given to us by Christ at the Last Supper. Further, the Catholic Church is called Catholic because of its universal nature. This might lead some people to imply that all people are allowed to have communion and partake in the body of Christ. However, this is not the case. There are specific criteria to be able to take communion. Catholic.com explains that, “The Church sets out specific guidelines regarding how we should prepare ourselves to receive the Lord’s body and blood in Communion. To receive Communion worthily, you must be in a state of grace, have made a good confession since your last mortal sin, believe in transubstantiation, observe the Eucharistic fast, and, finally, not be under an ecclesiastical censure such as excommunication.”
Therefore, Catholics who are in a good state of grace and have confessed their mortal sins are eligible to partake in the Communion of Christ. However, another part of the Church are non-Catholics and to see if they are eligible for communion or not. Catholic.com explains again that, “Scripture is clear that partaking of the Eucharist is among the highest signs of Christian unity: "Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread" (1 Cor. 10:17). For this reason, it is normally impossible for non-Catholic Christians to receive Holy Communion, for to do so would be to proclaim a unity to exist that, regrettably, does not.”
-atohme
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