Eucharistic discipline

Eucharistic discipline is the term applied to the regulations and practices associated with an individual preparing for the reception of the Eucharist. Different traditions require varying degrees of preparation, which may include a period of fasting, prayer, repentance, and confession. As a general rule, the stronger the belief that the bread and wine of the Eucharist become the Body and Blood of Jesus (see Transubstantiation and Real Presence), the stricter the discipline.

Catholic practice

Sufficient spiritual preparation must be made by each Catholic prior to receiving Holy Communion. A Catholic guilty of mortal sin should first make a sacramental confession: otherwise that person commits a sacrilege. Of which, the Catechism of the Council of Trent declared, "As of all the sacred mysteries ...none can compare with the ...Eucharist, so likewise for no crime is there heavier punishment to be feared from God than for the unholy or irreligious use by the faithful of that which...contains the very Author and Source of holiness." (De Euch., v.i). In addition, Catholics must also abstain from food and drink (except water and medicine) for one hour before receiving, and must, of course, have a true belief in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist.

The official regulations of the Catholic Church are to be found in Book IV, Part I, Title III, Chapter I, Article 2 (Participation in the Holy Eucharist) of the Code of Canon Law:

Can. 916: A person who is conscious of grave sin is not to celebrate Mass or receive the body of the Lord without previous sacramental confession unless there is a grave reason and there is no opportunity to confess; in this case the person is to remember the obligation to make an act of perfect contrition which includes the resolution of confessing as soon as possible.

Can. 919: §1. A person who is to receive the Most Holy Eucharist is to abstain for at least one hour before holy communion from any food and drink, except for only water and medicine.

§2. A priest who celebrates the Most Holy Eucharist two or three times on the same day can take something before the second or third celebration even if there is less than one hour between them.

§3. The elderly, the infirm, and those who care for them can receive the Most Holy Eucharist even if they have eaten something within the preceding hour. [1]

Orthodox practice

Orthodox Christians are required to fast from all food and drink before receiving the Eucharist. This fast typically begins from Vespers or sunset the night before, midnight the night before, or from the time that the individual wakes up in the morning, depending on local tradition. Monastic practice can be even more strict, requiring a strict fast for the previous day as well. During this fasting period, many faithful will keep a period of quiet reflection; for example, by limiting or turning off their television and by reading devotional literature.

Fasting regulations are often relaxed for pregnant women, the ill, and young children. Whether menstruating women should be permitted to receive the Eucharist is a matter of some controversy[2].

Orthodox Christians typically receive the Sacrament of Confession before receiving the Eucharist. Those receiving the Eucharist infrequently will usually go to confession before each time, while those receiving on a regular basis will go to confession more frequently—typically once a month. However, for those who are either mentally incapable of recognizing or recalling their sins, or who are mentally or physically incapable of communicating their sins to a priest, this requirement is dispensed with, just as it is for very young children.

Special pre- and post-Communion prayers are recited by the faithful before and after the Eucharist. In current practice, the pre-Communion prayers are usually recited collectively by the entire congregation during the Divine Liturgy. These prayers express humility and the communicants' sense of unworthiness for the gift they are about to receive. The post-Communion prayers are read aloud by a single member of the congregation (often a Reader) after the end of the Liturgy and during the Veneration of the Cross. These prayers of thanksgiving express the communicants' joy at having received Christ "for the healing of soul and body."

Anglican/Episcopalian practice

From the Book of Common Prayer 1979

The Holy Eucharist is the sacrament commanded by Christ for the continual remembrance of his life, death, and resurrection, until his coming again. Because the Eucharist, the Church's sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving, is the way by which the sacrifice of Christ is made present, and in which he unites us to his one offering of himself. The Holy Eucharist is called the Lord's Supper, and Holy Communion; it is also known as the Divine Liturgy, the Mass, and the Great Offering.

The outward and visible sign in the Eucharist is bread and wine, give and received according to Christ's command. The inward and spiritual grace in the Holy Communion is the Body and Blood of Christ given to his people, and received by faith. The benefits we receive are the forgiveness of our sins, the strengthening of our union with Christ and one another, and the foretaste of the heavenly banquet which is our nourishment in eternal life.

Prior to receiving the Eucharist, it is required that we should examine our lives, repent of our sins, and be in love and charity with all people.

However, some Anglicans and Episcopalians, especially Anglo-Catholics and those of the High Church party, observe the Roman Catholic rules of fasting for one hour before receiving mass while others abstain from any food or drink from midnight until the time of communion.

Lutheran practice

Methodist practice

In Methodism, the table is made available to all people, and none are turned away. This practice is referred to as keeping an "Open table". The general invitation is typically made in the ritual, "Christ our Lord invites to his table all who love him, who earnestly repent of their sin and seek to live in peace with one another." All are free to commune at the appropriate time.

Presbyterian practice

Among Presbyterians, there is neither requirement, nor prohibition, of any of the traditional understandings of what it means to "make ready": it is left to local custom. In modern times, there is no uniform practice of earlier patterns of fasting, public or private prayer, or the preparatory service (Vespers).

However, the Westminster Larger Catechism has rather extensive instructions on how those who "receive the sacrament of the Lord's supper are, before they come, to prepare themselves unto . . . ." Specifically, they are to prepare "by examining themselves of their being in Christ, of their sins and wants; of the truth and measure of their knowledge, faith, repentance; love to God and the brethren, charity to all men, forgiving those that have done them wrong; of their desires after Christ, and of their new obedience; and by renewing the exercise of these graces, by serious meditation, and fervent prayer." Westminster Larger Catechism, Q. 171.

Therefore, the Presbyterian Church in America's Directory for the Worship of God advises that a week's notice be given to the congregation prior to the administration of the Lord's supper: "It is proper that public notice should be given to the congregation, at least the Sabbath before the administration of this ordinance, and that, either then, or on some day of the week, the people be instructed in its nature, and a due preparation for it, that all may come in a suitable manner to this holy feast." PCA Book of Church Order, Directory for the Worship of God, ch. 58, para. 3.; see also Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Book of Order, Directory for Worship, W-3.3609 (requiring one week's notice if the sacrament is not observed weekly); Orthodox Presbyterian Church Book of Church Order, Directory for the Public Worship of God, ch. IV, para. 1. (requiring "adequate preparation").

Finally, it should be noted that the Westminster Larger Catechism also provides extensive instructions on "what is required of them that receive the sacrament of the Lord's supper" during and after its administration. See Westminster Larger Catechism, Q. 174 and 175.

Other Protestant practice

External links

Orthodox

Preparation for Holy Communion — article by Thomas Hopko, former Dean of St Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary.

Preparation to Holy Communion — excerpt from Beginning Orthodoxy by Bishop Alexander (Mileant) of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia.

Communion from the website of Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in San Jose, California; includes the text of pre- and post-Communion prayers.