Catholic Basics When One May Receive

Communion

1. Baptized & Catholic

As we have discussed, we practice “closed Communion,” so we do not invite non-Catholic Christians to receive Holy Communion. To receive, one must be validly baptized and, if not baptized Catholic, have been received into the Catholic Church.

2. Age of Reason

Children should not receive their First Communion until they have reached the age of reason. This is ordinarily around second grade.

Code of Canon law 913-914.

3. Eucharistic Fast

This was mentioned in one of our videos. Catholic must fast for one hour before receiving Holy Communion. Water and medications are permitted during the fast. The elderly and the infirm are exempted from the fast.

Code of Canon Law 919.

4. State of Grace

A Catholic must not receive Holy Communion if he or she is conscious of having committed a mortal sin and has not, since that sin, repented and received the sacrament of Reconciliation.

Code of Canon Law 916; 1 Corinthians 11:27-

28.

St. John the Baptist • We celebrate his birth on

June 24 because it is 6 months before Christmas.

• We celebrate his martyrdom on August 29.

St. John the Baptist • He was a relative of

Jesus, the son of Mary’s kinswoman Elizabeth and her husband Zechariah.

• John is depicted in all four Gospels. His martyrdom is recounted in Mark 6.

St. John the Baptist • A patron saint of many

things and places, including French Canada and Puerto Rico.

Catholic Basics1. Baptized & Catholic2. Age of Reason3. Eucharistic Fast4. State of GraceSt. John the BaptistSt. John the BaptistSt. John the Baptist