What attitudes should you have when you are preparing to receive Jesus in holy communion?

Answer 1

• We should prayerfully recollect ourselves prior to coming to Mass. We should strive to arrive on time, allowing ourselves to prepare our minds and hearts for the liturgy. Upon entering the church, we should maintain reverent silence so that we and those around us are able to pray before Mass begins. This will ensure that we are at peace within ourselves and with others. Such recollection helps to eliminate distractions and allows us to focus more easily on the great mystery of the Eucharistic celebration in which we are about to participate. A prayerful and reflective reading of the Scripture selections for the Mass of the day will help make our hearts and minds ready to receive God's Word more deeply.

• We are required to keep the Eucharistic fast, that is, refraining from food and drink (except for water and medicines) for at least one hour prior to receiving Holy Communion. This fast demonstrates reverence and respect for the Body and Blood of Christ that we are going to receive. It also teaches us to hunger for Jesus in Holy Communion.

• We should also come to the sacred liturgy appropriately dressed. As Christians we should dress in a modest manner, wearing clothes that reflect our reverence for God and that manifest our respect for the dignity of the liturgy and for one another.

see Bishop's preparation at the link below:

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NB. It is worth adding that one should make an examination of conscience to recall if we have sinned against God or man since our last confession. If our sin is not grave we should at least say an act of contrition and make the sign of the cross with holy water (this is usually done when entering the church; holy water is a sacramental that absolves venial sin). If we have sinned gravely we must confess our sins to a priest in the sacrament of confession before approaching the altar to receive Our Lord in Holy Communion.

By receiving the sacrament of reconciliation, to eliminate mortal sins and then to fast from food or drink (excluding water) for 1 hour before; unless you are pregnant, nursing, below the age of reason, or over 65.

Catholic AnswerPreparation for Holy Communion should start the day before, one should be in a state of grace, so it is always advisable to go to Confession. Even if you are not aware of any mortal sin, the grace of the Sacrament is one of the best ways to prepare to receive Our Blessed Lord in Holy Communion. One should be fasting at least one hour previously to reception (except if you are sick at home or a hospital and someone is bringing you Holy Communion, then a fifteen minute fast is required). One should be aware of Whom one is receiving in Holy Communion, prepare yourself as well as you can by paying attention to the readings and homily; participate in the prayers, offer yourself up on the paten when the priest offers the bread. And finally, to be truly humble and grateful that Almighty God has condescended to come to you with His Grace.

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Catholic AnswerIn response to the question, "how should one prepare to receive Holy Communion," I refer you to paragraphs 1384 and 1385 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church which states: 1384"The Lord addresses an invitation to us, urging us to receive him in the sacrament of the Eucharist: "Truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, you have no life in you." (Jn 6:53)

1385 "To respond to this invitation we must prepare ourselves for so great and so holy a moment. St. Paul urges us to examine our conscience: "Whosoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of profaning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a man examine himself, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For any one who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment upon himself." (1 Cor 11:27-29) Anyone conscious of a grave sin must receive the sacrament of Reconciliation before coming to communion."

To further illustrate the point of preparing oneself prior to participating in the sacrament of the Eucharist, consider the words of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI and of His Holiness John Paul II.

"Despite our weakness and sin, Christ wants to make his dwelling place in us. This is why we must do everything in our power to receive him with a pure heart, continuously rediscovering through the Sacrament of forgiveness that purity which sin has stained, "that [our] minds be attuned to [our] voices" (cf. Sacrosanctum Concilium, n. 11),"

~ Homily of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI, Foconi Hall, Sunday, 22 June 2008

37. "The two sacraments of the Eucharist and Penance are very closely connected. Because the Eucharist makes present the redeeming sacrifice of the Cross, perpetuating it sacramentally, it naturally gives rise to a continual need for conversion, for a personal response to the appeal made by Saint Paul to the Christians of Corinth: "We beseech you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God." (2 Cor 5:20). If a Christians' conscience is burdened by serious sin, then the path of penance through the sacrament of Reconciliation becomes necessary for full participation in the Eucharistic Sacrifice."

~ Encyclical Letter, Ecclesia De Eucharistia, of His Holiness Pope John Paul II

Answer 2

Firstly you would need to confess your sins. This puts you in a State of Grace.

Secondly, you would need to make sure you don't commit those same sins after Confession and before you take Communion.

This means that if you have relations with someone your not married to, and continue to do so after your Confession, your no longer in a State of Grace.

If you consciously commit any sin after Confession, but before Communion, your not in a State of Grace.

Thirdly, you need to realize that your accepting the Body and Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ. This requires Reflection and Prayer. Your heart, mind and sould needs to be ready to accept Christ each and every time.

Answer 3

The term 'taking communion' is Protestant. Catholics receive communion, they do not take it. It is a gift of God, freely given, so there is no need to 'take' it. One should examine ones conscience to make sure he/she is receiving communion worthily. Also, communion should be received within a Catholic Mass or a sanctioned communion service. One should fast for at least one hour before receiving communion.

Answer 4

You are required to be in a state of grace (have no mortal {serious} sin on your soul, you must have been fasting for one hour, and you should make a good preparation for some time before Mass, and a Thanksgiving after Mass.

Answer 5

Roman Catholic AnswerYou must be a Catholic, have received your first confession and First Holy Communion, and be in a state of grace - meaning that you have attended Confession recently and have no mortal sins on your soul.

Answer 6

Roman Catholic AnswerPreparation for Holy Communion should start the day before, one should be in a state of grace, so it is always advisable to go to Confession. Even if you are not aware of any mortal sin, the grace of the Sacrament is one of the best ways to prepare to receive Our Blessed Lord in Holy Communion. One should be fasting at least one hour previously to reception (except if you are sick at home or a hospital and someone is bringing you Holy Communion, then a fifteen minute fast is required). One should be aware of Whom one is receiving in Holy Communion, prepare yourself as well as you can by paying attention to the readings and homily; participate in the prayers, offer yourself up on the paten when the priest offers the bread. And finally, to be truly humble and grateful that Almighty God has condescended to come to you with His Grace.

Answer 7

You pray, examine your conscience, and if needed, go to confession.

Answer 8

One word, openness.