Why is Communion a big deal?
Catholics believe Jesus’ body and blood are present in the Eucharistic bread and wine. By partaking of it, Catholics are sharing in the “Mystical Body of Christ,” an expression of the worldwide Christian community. Unlike many Protestant services, in which Communion may or may not be offered, every Catholic Mass always culminates with the Eucharist.Attendance at Mass every Sunday (and on certain holy days) is considered an obligation for all Catholics. Catholics are not required to receive Communion at every Mass, but in the U.S., most churchgoing Catholics do.To be told one is unfit for Communion is similar, in spiritual terms, to being called unfit to be in a family or another close-knit group.
Catholics believe Jesus’ body and blood are present in the Eucharistic bread and wine. By partaking of it, Catholics are sharing in the “Mystical Body of Christ,” an expression of the worldwide Christian community. Unlike many Protestant services, in which Communion may or may not be offered, every Catholic Mass always culminates with the Eucharist. Attendance at Mass every Sunday (and on certain holy days) is considered an obligation for all Catholics. Catholics are not required to receive Communion at every Mass, but in the U.S., most churchgoing Catholics do. To be told one is unfit for Communion is similar, in spiritual terms, to being called unfit to be in a family or another close-knit group.
