What is the difference between parish communion and holy communion

If one is conscious of serious sin, he should receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation before approaching Holy Communion. Holy Communion is a great mystery, to be approached with reverence and awe. The most important preparation is spiritual. Many Catholics choose to take some time for private prayer before mass to prepare for Holy Communion. In order to receive Holy Communion worthily, individuals with serious sins first need to receive forgiveness in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Confession is also a valuable preparation for those with lesser sins, and most parishes provide it at a convenient time for those who desire to receive Holy Communion at Sunday Mass.

The Church offers various aids to help Catholics prepare themselves for Holy Communion. She requires a fast of at least one hour before receiving Communion. Some Catholics find it helpful to fast for a longer time, even from the night before, in order to be better prepared for Holy Communion.

Time spent praying in thanksgiving after receiving Holy Communion is also well rewarded. There are many individuals who will not be able to receive Holy Communion at any given mass. These include children who have not yet made their First Holy Communion, non-Catholics who may be in the congregation, those who have not made the necessary fast before mass, and individuals who are in a state of sin, including those who are living in irregular marital situations.

While the worthy reception of Holy Communion is a great gift, it is not necessary for a Catholic to receive Holy Communion at every mass. Participation in the mass gives glory to God and can be of great spiritual value even when one does not receive Holy Communion. At times it may be painful not to be able to receive Holy Communion. For Catholics, this may serve as an invitation to speak with a priest who can help them return to full communion.

For non-catholics, it can be an inspiration to pray for greater union among Christians. Even in the U. In rural areas, a priest might be responsible for several widely dispersed parishes that he visits once a month.

During his visit, he celebrates Mass and fills the tabernacle with enough hosts for the rest of the month. When the priest is absent, a deacon or layperson man or woman presides over the Communion service. Even in urban areas, a parish with a resident pastor might have a Communion service on a weekday if the priest is sick or away. The Communion service begins with a liturgy of the Word that is almost exactly like that at a Mass. Songs are sung, prayers are recited, Scriptures are read and a sermon is given.

Those paying attention will notice slight differences, such as the absence of references to "sacrifice," because a Communion service is not a sacrifice as the Mass is. The noticeable changes begin after the general intercessions aka prayers of the faithful. There is no presentation of gifts what Catholics used to call the offertory nor is there the Eucharistic prayer, which includes the consecration of the gifts. Instead, after the general intercessions, the presider and the community recite the Lord's Prayer, exchange the sign of peace, and then receive Communion.

There can be songs at the appropriate times plus a final prayer, blessing and dismissal. During the pandemic, of course, the sign of peace must avoid physical contact, and Communion will be administered under strict guidelines to prevent the spread of infection. The coronavirus may force U. Catholics to experience what has long been a reality for Catholics in parts of the world, like the Amazon, where there are many Catholics and few priests.

In these regions, Communion services are very common, although it is difficult to store consecrated hosts for long periods of time in the tropics. On the other hand, the Vatican and the U. The necessary expansion of Communion services in the United States will likely expose how little understanding there is of the Eucharistic prayer and the difference between a Communion service and a Mass.

The Eucharistic prayer, which comes between the presentation of gifts and the Lord's Prayer, includes not only the institutional narrative the story of the Last Supper but also prayers of praise, thanksgiving and offering. It also asks that those receiving Communion be transformed by the Spirit into the body of Christ. Many Catholics may not even notice its absence at Communion services. Most consider it the priest's prayer whose only purpose is to consecrate the bread and wine.

Few will be disappointed by its absence; many might even be happy that its absence shortens the time for the service. The fact that many priests prefer the shortest Eucharistic prayer there are 12 from which to choose , recite it as fast as possible, even continuing to recite it as the people obscure his words as they drop to their knees after the Sanctus "Holy, holy" , has not helped.

Since most bishops and priests have not spent any time explaining the Eucharistic prayer to their people, they should not be surprised if the people don't grasp the difference between a Mass and a Communion service. Many parishioners who attend a Communion service presided over by a nun refer to it as "sister's Mass," to the horror of the bishops.

If the nun or layperson preaches and prays more fervently than they are used to from a priest, many parishioners will prefer that "Mass" to Father's. On the positive side, the expansion of Communion services will contribute to declericalization of the church. It will also allow parishioners to see how well or badly laypeople can preside at liturgical ceremonies. If married men and women do just as well as the priests, we will see a growing groundswell for ordaining them.

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