How to Receive Communion at Easter

Practicing Catholics must receive communion at least once a year, and Easter is an ideal time to do so. Holy Communion is considered the most important sacrament, because Catholics believe that they are receiving the body and blood of Christ. One must be aware of certain conditions and guidelines in order to receive communion.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Ensure that you have committed no mortal sin. If you have sinned, you can confess your trangressions to a priest before receiving communion.

2. Make peace with others near you during the service. You must not hold any grievances at the time you receive communion.

3. Offer up a prayer and concentrate fully on the sacrament you are preparing to receive.

4. Walk or move toward the priest who is distributing the communion. During Easter Vigil or Easter Day Mass, parishioners usually proceed toward the priest in a single-file line, with each section or pew approaching the priest in turn.

5. Make the sign of the cross before the priest gives you the communion.

6. Receive the communion from the priest on your tongue or in your hand.

7. Make the sign of the cross once more after you receive the communion. Return to your pew. Kneel and pray.

Tips & Warnings

• The communion bread is often called the "host," which refers to the presence of the body of Christ in the bread after it is consecrated by the priest.
• Receiving communion with your hand involves cupping one hand under the other hand. With this method, you take the bread in one hand and then pick up the bread with the other before placing it in your mouth. When using your tongue, stick your tongue out as far as you can so the priest can place the bread on it.
• A Catholic in good standing can receive communion at the Saturday Easter vigil and then again on Sunday morning, as long as she participates in both Mass celebrations.
• Receiving communion at Easter or at any time during the year is possible if you are a member of the Catholic Church, have made your first confession and have received the sacrament of Holy Communion.
• Because the consecrated host is considered to contain the body of Christ, it is absolutely important to avoid letting the host fall to the ground.
• Although everyone is welcome to attend and participate in the Easter Mass, only Catholics may receive communion.