The Most Holy Eucharist

“The Most Holy Eucharist is the most august sacrament, in which Christ the Lord himself is contained, offered and received, and by which the Church constantly lives and grows. The Eucharistic sacrifice, the memorial of the death and resurrection of the Lord, in which the sacrifice of the cross is perpetuated over the centuries, is the summit and the source of all Christian worship and life; it signifies and effects the unity of the people of God and achieves the building up of the Body of Christ. The other sacraments and all the ecclesiatical works of the apostolate are closely related to the Holy Eucharist and are directed to it.” (Code of Canon Law, Canon 897)

The Blessed Sacrament is reserved in the tabernacle and is available for private prayer in the chapel Tuesday thru Friday and in the church on the weekends.

Mass and Adoration times are on the home page.

Eucharist to the Sick and Shut-in

Holy Communion is brought to parishioners who are unable to attend Mass. Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion bring communion to persons in the hospital, nursing homes, and to those who cannot leave their homes. Please call the parish office at 972.938.1953 to make arrangements.

Preparation for Children and Youth

To receive the sacrament of the Most Holy Eucharist, the Church requires that children and youth have sufficient knowledge and careful preparation so as to understand the mystery of Christ according to their capacity, and can receive the Body of the Lord with faith and devotion.

Eligibility for Preparation

Upon reaching the age of reason, each child must receive catechesis adequate for a fruitful celebration of the Sacrament. This catechesis must be tailored to a child’s current academic, emotional and spiritual development. Preparation for the sacrament of Eucharist is a two year process than can begin as early as first grade.

Parish membership or a letter from your previous parish is required before enrolling children in faith formation.

Primary Teachers of the Faith

The role of the parents as the primary teachers of the faith is not replaced by the pastor or catechists. The pastor and catechists support the parents in the preparation and discerning the readiness of those receiving a sacrament.

If you have questions about the First Communion program, please contact Nancy Martinez in the Formation Office.

Requirements to Receive

To receive holy communion, a person must

1. Be baptized,

2. Not under excommunication or interdict,

3. In a state of grace, and

4. Observe the Eucharistic fast.

You do not need to receive holy communion to fulfill your obligation to participate in the Mass.

State of Grace

Whoever, 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 Corinthians 11:27-29

A person who is conscious of grave sin is not to receive the body of the Lord without previous sacramental confession unless there is a grave reason (for example, danger of death) and there is no opportunity to confess.

If you have committed mortal sin that you have not yet confessed, Jesus is waiting to forgive you in confession.

The Eucharistic Fast

Before receiving communion, we fast from earthly food, since we realize that the Eucharist is not bread and wine, but the Body and Blood of Christ. It is far more difficult to dispose ourselves to receiving Christ If we are full on earthly food.

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. However, it is laudable to fast for three hours or from midnight on (in keeping with most ancient tradition) before receiving the Body and Blood of our Savior.

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.

For Those Who Cannot Receive

If you are not able to receive communion, the Church encourages you to make an act of spiritual communion during this time.

My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You.  Amen.

Remain in your pew during holy communion. Father will bless everyone at the end of Mass. 

Receiving Holy Communion

Approach the priest or deacon with hands folded, like how Our Lady of Guadalupe holds her hands. When you reach the priest or deacon, kneel at the kneeler. The priest or deacon says, “Corpus Christi.” You respond, “Amen,” then extend your tongue, tilt your head slightly back, and close your eyes (these last two help the priest/deacon). The priest or deacon will place the host on your tongue, at which point you consume our Lord.

If you choose to receive standing, when you arrive before the priest or deacon bow your head prior to receiving.

Why do we receive on the tongue?

The Eucharist is God. We come before God in awe. He has stooped to be present physically; we must do Him justice by treating Him reverently.

Under ordinary circumstances, no hands may touch the Eucharist except those anointed in holy orders: the hands of the priest and the deacon. This restriction is not because the priest and deacon are somehow special, but because God is special.

Receiving on the tongue also avoids the dangers of profaning the Eucharist, whether accidental or malicious. Every particle that falls off the host is still the Body of Christ. That is why the priest may appear to hold his hands awkwardly after the consecration: he does not want any particles to wipe onto the missal or fall and be trampled underfoot. These dangers are lessened when receiving on the tongue, as any particles that do not fall in the ciborium or paten will fall in the communicant’s mouth and be consumed.

Indult in the United States

In the United States, due to an indult (a special favor given temporarily), in addition to receiving on the tongue, you are permitted to receive communion in the hand.

For those who choose to receive in the hand:

• Your hands must be clean.

• If you are right handed, the left hand rests upon the right. The host will then be laid in the palm of the left hand and then taken by the right hand to the mouth. If one is left-handed this is reversed.

• Place the host entirely in your mouth before stepping away from the minister.