St. Mary's Catholic Church 

To learn how children and adults prepare to receive the Eucharist for the first time, please click HERE.

We welcome all people to the Mass and hope that they will pray with us and for us. People who are not Catholic do not receive the Eucharist (except in specific and unusual circumstances) because receiving is a sign of belief in what the Church teaches about the Eucharist and of unity with the Catholic Church. Catholics affirm these beliefs when they say, "Amen" just before receiving the Eucharist. We ask that those who are not Catholic or Orthodox to please pray with and for us during the giving of Communion. For more information, please see the document HERE.

Before receiving the Eucharist, Catholics should first go to Confession if they are aware of having committed a mortal (serious, knowing, deliberate) sin---so that they are prepared to receive the grace of the Eucharist). Catholics normally should have fasted for an hour before receiving the Eucharist (except for those who are sick, caring for the sick, or who have any condition that would make fasting ill-advised). Medicine and water do not break the fast. See the document HERE for details and exceptions.

If you would like to learn more, please contact the rectory to speak with a priest or teacher.

(If you have not received the Eucharist before, please contact the rectory to learn more about how to prepare.)

When approaching to receive the Eucharist, people make a sign of reverance to acknowledge Jesus in the Eucharist. In the United States, this is usually a bow of the head and many people bow their heads while the person ahead of them is receiving.

The priest, deacon, or extraordinary minister of Communion will say "The Body of Christ." The people receiving (called communicants) say, "Amen," acknowledging and affirming that, Yes, the Eucharist they are receiving is the Body of Christ and that they are in communion with the Church (the mystical Body of Christ).

To receive in the hand, people extend their hands toward the minister, putting one hand over the other, hands cupped and overlapping, making a "throne" for the Host. (Make a secure  "cup" with your hands, instead of putting your hands side-by-side, leaving a gap between them.)

People can step to the side to receive, taking the Host with their bottom hand and consuming the Host. People should not walk away with the Host because the minister needs to make sure the Host is consumed.

To receive on the tounge, people open their mouth and extend their toungue so that the minister can easily place the Host on it. People sometimes find it easier to keep their heads still if they close their eyes. It might seem strange at first to stick out your tounge, but it isn't rude and practice helps!

If the Precious Blood from the cup is available and people wish to receive, they bow their heads (usually while the person ahead of them is receiving) to acknowledge the presence of Jesus.

The priest, deacon, or extraordinary minister will say, "The Blood of Christ." The response of the person receiving is "Amen," acknowledging and affirming that this is the Blood of Christ.

Then, the person takes the cup in both hands, takes a small sip, and returns the cup to the minister, holding the cup securely until it is received back by the minister.

If a person wishes to receive a blessing from the priest or deacon rather than receiving the Eucharist, they can cross their arms in front of their chest as a signal of that intention.

No. Whenever a person receives even a small part of the Eucharistic Host (or a small drop from the cup), that person receives all of Jesus.

Jesus' Body is glorified, and his Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity are fully united and present, whatever form of the Eucharist we receive.

From the Catechism of the Catholic Church

The Eucharist is called by many different names, each reflecting a different aspect of the sacrament. Here are a few:

Eucharist. The word Eucharist comes from the Greek word eucharistein, which means to give thanks. The Eucharist is an act of Thanksgiving to God and a Sacrifice of Praise.

Holy Communion. The Eucharist is also called Communion because, through the Eucharist, we are united to Jesus and to each other. We come into communion with Jesus.

The Breaking of the Bread and the Lord's Supper. These names recall the action of Jesus at the Last Supper when He instituted the Eucharist. He broke the bread.

Holy Sacrifice. This title reflects that the Eucharist makes the one sacrifice of Jesus Christ present to us now and the Church participates. 

Most Blessed Sacrament. The Eucharist is the highest of all Sacraments because it is the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus.

Eucharistic adoration is praying to and adoring Jesus in the Eucharist.

During Mass, we contemplate and receive Jesus in the Eucharist. At adoration, we continue that contemplation, spending time with Jesus in prayer.

Often, Eucharistic adoration refers to praying in front of the Eucharist left visible on an altar. At St. Mary's, there are specific times when the Eucharist is placed on the altar in the small chapel and people come to pray.

To learn more about when and how to participate in Eucharistic adoration, please click HERE.