FAQs

It is in the right of the communicants to decide whether they will receive the Eucharist in the hand, on the tongue, kneeling or standing. The norm of the Archdiocese of Toronto is to receive Holy Eucharist standing prefaced by a slight bow of the head (cf. General Instruction of the Roman Missal, No. 160).

Yes, but no more than twice in a 24-hour period: “One who has received the Blessed Sacrament may receive it again on the same day only within a Eucharistic celebration in which that person participates”. (Canon Law 17).

If we desire to receive Christ in communion, we must be in the state of grace. Anyone aware of having sinned mortally must receive absolution in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. (CCC: 1415) We are all welcome to attend the Mass in “spiritual communion” and to encounter God’s Word read and proclaimed, whether or not they receive the Eucharist. [3]

“Anyone who desires to receive Christ in Eucharistic communion must be in the state of grace. Anyone aware of having sinned mortally must not receive communion without having received absolution in the sacrament of penance.” (CCC: 1415) If the divorced are remarried civilly, the Church maintains that the new union cannot be recognized as valid if the first marriage is valid: “they cannot receive Eucharistic communion as long as this situation persists”. (CCC: 1650)

We ask that you respectfully observe the parish community at Mass, and that you freely follow along as the community prays, sings, reads, listens, sits, stands, and exchanges greetings with one another in the presence of Jesus Christ.

Eucharistic communion is reserved to those who are in the fullness of ecclesial communion with the Catholic Church since we cannot separate the mystery of the Church from the mystery of the Eucharist.

We earnestly pray to the Lord for complete unity among all God’s faithful, and we thank God for bringing you to our midst.

No. The Church obliges the faithful to be present and take part in the Mass on Sundays whether or not the faithful receive the Most Holy Sacrament. (CCC: 1389) For those who wish to receive Communion and cannot be present at Mass due to sickness or otherwise, they may request a priest or deacon or an extraordinary minister to bring Communion to them at their homes. [4]

The Diocese of Hamilton does not endorse Masses celebrated in a private home. “The celebration of the Eucharist is to be carried out in a sacred place, unless in a particular case necessity requires otherwise. In this case the celebration must be in a decent place.” (Canon Law 932) Note that “it is never lawful for a priest to celebrate in a temple or sacred place of any non-Christian religion”.[5] For more detail please consult Protocol – Celebration of Holy Mass Outside of Sacred Space.

The public celebration of Holy Mass outside of a sacred space (i.e. Church or Chapel) requires the permission of the Chancellor of Spiritual Affairs in all cases. Please refer to the Protocol.

In the Mass the Church is at prayer. Prayer involves our entire being. We can pray through our actions such as our gesture and body position. [6] Kneeling and standing, for example, carry profound meanings in worship. [7]

Jesus instituted the Eucharist on Holy Thursday “the night on which he was betrayed” (1 Corinthians 11:23), as he celebrated the Last Supper with his apostles. (Compendium, 272)

A wonderful change of the ordinary bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ takes place during the Church’s Eucharistic prayer through the efficacious word of Christ and by the action of the Holy Spirit. (Compendium, 283) This is a mystery of faith. “Christ himself, living and glorious, is present in a true, real, and substantial manner: his Body and his Blood, with his soul and his divinity.” (CCC: 1413)

In consultation with your parish priest and your physician, there are at least two options: 1. you may receive a “low-gluten” host if available, or 2. you may receive Holy Communion from the chalice, instead of the host. Make sure that you refrain from drinking from the priest’s chalice because of the small amount of the host in the wine under the fraction rite.

Cardinal Collins shares his reflections on these roles in Cornerstones of Faith: [8]

Disciples: “The basic role of each of us at Mass”

Priest: “He [a disciple] is ordained to preach the Gospel, and in the sacraments to act in the person of Christ, to be used by Christ as an instrument of grace”

Deacon: “The deacon proclaims the Gospel, is an ordinary minister of Communion, prepares the gifts, and helps at the altar”

Lector/reader: He/she “is called to proclaim the Word of God clearly and effectively”

Server: An “important”, “noble and unobtrusive role at Mass”, servers “should see that all that is needed is ready, so that there is no distraction during Mass”

An extraordinary minister of Communion (Eucharistic minister): They are to distribute the Body and Blood of Christ at Mass or to bring Communion to those who cannot be present at Mass

Musician: Those who help the whole community to praise God through music

Minister of hospitality and service: “The parishioners who greet those who enter the church, and give them practical help, are messengers of the welcoming love of the local family of faith.” Others assist by taking up the collection and in various ways that strengthen the parish community after Mass.

Catechist: Those who help with the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults or with a children’s liturgy