Eucharist to non-Catholics
In our parish, if a person elects to not receive communion, they approach the priest or Eucharistic Minister with their arms folded across their chest. I attended Mass at another parish with some Baptist friends who had never been before, and were curious. I instructed them that, at communion, they had the option of remaining in their seats or approaching with their arms crossed, indicating they should not receive. They chose to follow me in line. After receiving, as I turned to go back to the pew, I noticed that the Eucharistic Minister gave them the Blessed Sacrament anyway! Confused, my friends received it.
I am wondering what happens now? Since they have not "discerned the body", are their souls in peril? Am I remiss in my duty to instruct them in what to do, and should I confess this? They live out of town and I don't see them much. Should I contact them to see if I can make them understand the importance of the event? I realize I should talk to my parish priest, but you always take each question seriously, rather than give flippant or dismissive answers such as what I sometimes get from our priests.
Thanks for your help and God bless you in your ministry.
QUESTION from Mike on November 13, 2003
ANSWER by Mr. Jacob Slavek on November 17, 2003
|
Dear Mike, I wouldn't really worry about it, the Lord understands that it was a mistake. (But make sure it doesn't happen again.) I suppose you could talk to your friends about the importance of what happened, but if they are at all firm in their own beliefs then they will not listen since they regard the Eucharist as nothing more than a piece of bread, at the most an important piece of bread because of symbolic reasons. This is just another reason to avoid the practice of arms across the chest to indicate not receiving Communion. In my opinion, non-catholics have no business approaching the altar at this time, as neither do catholics who are not in the state of grace or those who have not fasted. I understand the importance of making them feel welcome, but come on enough is enough, really what is so horrible about waiting in the pew. It really bothers me that so many priests think so little of the importance of Communion to allow this to happen and encourage it, ESPCECIALLY when everyone receives a blessing at the end of Mass anyway. Again though I wouldn't worry about what happened since it was an accident, after all you did not invite them to receive, you did what you thought was right. Mr. Slavek |