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Question
Fr. Johnson:
I have a question concerning participating in Communion at a Catholic Mass.
I am not Catholic (despite a traditional Jesuit education). My children currently attend a Catholic school and I attend Mass with them on Sundays. I have not participated in the Communion at Mass because, as it was explained to me, the sacrament is not for non-Catholics. I participate in Communion in the Church in which I grew up, which I also regularly attend. It is a member of “both the Presbyterian Church, U.S.A. and the United Church of Christ”.
I have been reading a book on the practice of Catholicism (The How-To Book of the Mass by Michael Dubruiel), which seems to indicate that the only requirements for the sacrament are: that I be repentant, and that I abstain from food and drink at least one hour before the sacrament.
I am confused, and seek guidance.
I ask, is it improper for me to participate in Communion at a Mass?
Please advise …
CMJ3
Hi, Chuck:
Thanks for the question.
Since you are not a Catholic, this means that you are not in full communion with the Catholic Church. It is on this account that you do not receive Holy Communion in the Catholic Church at the celebration of Mass. It would be like saying with your body and actions "I am a Catholic and accept the authority of the Catholic Church; but, at the same time, I declare with my words that I am NOT a Catholic, and I am in communion with some other Christian ecclesial body." This would be duplicitous, to say the least.
The requuirement for baptized Catholics to receive Holy Communion is, as you describe: to be repentant, and to observe the Communion Fast. But you are not a Catholic. I have not read the book, but I cannot but believe that Michael Dubruiel must surely be presenting these requirements for Catholics, and being a Catholic in full communion with the Catholic Church is presumed. If he is clearly suggesting something other than this, he is in error.
Of course if you wish to enter into full communion with the Catholic Church, then I would suggest and encourage you to go through the RCIA process to be received into the Catholic Church.
Fr. Timothy Johnson
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Answers by Expert:
Fr. Timothy Johnson
Expertise
A Traditional Catholic Priest, validly and licitly ordained, incardinated legally and canonically in the Diocese of Fargo, and in good-standing with my Local Ordinary (Bishop) on active assignment at a rural Tri-Parish. I can provide honest and balanced answers to questions on topics pertaining to Traditional Roman Catholicism of the Latin Church (Councils of Trent and Vatican II)and a lot about the Eastern Catholic Churches, including the Sacred Liturgy, Sacred Scripture, Church History, the use of the Latin language, the tradition of Sacred Music, and current events in the Catholic Church from a traditional, historical and balanced perspective.
Experience
I have been ordained a Roman Catholic Priest since June 2001.
Organizations
Knights of Columbus; Church Music Association of America (CMAA)
Education/Credentials
Ordained Priest, 02 JUN 2001; Ordained Deacon, 27 JAN 2001; MA - Dogmatic/Systematic Theology;
MDiv - Professional Degree from Seminary;
2-Years formation with Canons Regular of Premontre including studies and experience in Sacred Liturgy, Chant, Latin, Sacraments, Spirituality.
BA - Scholastic/Thomistic Philosophy;
BA - Liberal Arts;
AA - General Studies.
Past/Present Clients
I serve 3-small, rural Parish Communities in Easter North Dakota
I converted to the Roman Catholic Church in 1981, at the age of 15.
Over the years I have done work as an organist, cantor, and choir director for the Latin Rite (English & Latin) Mass (Liturgy of the Eucharist), and even for the Hours of the Divine Office.
I have worked as a cantor for a Melkite Byzantine Catholic Church.
Presently my pastoral and administrative duties as a Catholic Priest do not allow me as much time as I used to have to devote to Sacred Music; but for my weekend Masses and Solemnities within my Tri-Parish, I offer High Sung Mass in English. Weekday Mass is typically Low Mass (recited Mass) in English, though on occasion I will offer the "Tridentine Mass" in Latin, which I usually offer on my "Day Off", as well. And now, in light of the "Motu Proprio" by his Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI placing the extraordinary usage of the Roman Rite back into the mainstream of the Catholic Church, I have been offering a regularly scheduled SUN, 2:00 PM Tridentine Latin Mass with a community of the faithful that has a stable existence.
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