Who can receive Communion?

For Catholics:

As Catholics, we fully participate in the celebration of the Eucharist when we receive Holy Communion. We are encouraged to receive Communion devoutly and frequently. In order to be properly disposed to receive Communion, participants should not be conscious of grave sin and normally should have fasted for one hour. A person who is conscious of grave sin is not to receive the Body and Blood of the Lord without prior sacramental confession except for a grave reason where there is no opportunity for confession. In this case, the person is to be mindful of the obligation to make an act of perfect contrition, including the intention of confessing as soon as possible (canon 916). A frequent reception of the Sacrament of Penance is encouraged for all.

For our fellow Christians:

We welcome our fellow Christians to the celebration of the Holy Mass as our brothers and sisters. We pray that our common baptism and the action of the Holy Spirit will draw us closer to one another and begin to dispel the sad divisions which separate us. Catholics believe that the celebration of the Eucharist is a sign of the reality of the oneness of faith, life, and worship, members of those churches with whom we are not yet fully united are ordinarily not admitted to Holy Communion.

For non-Christians:

We also welcome to this celebration those who do not share our faith in Jesus Christ. While we cannot admit them to Holy Communion, we ask them to offer their prayers for the peace and the unity of the human family.

What should I do if I cannot receive Holy Communion?

Everyone is more than welcome to approach the altar with their arms crossed. Father Edison will give you a blessing. If you do not wish to receive a blessing, you should remain seated. Be conscious to not obstruct people in your pew from receiving and use this time for prayer, meditation and reflection.

What are the parts of the Mass?

We will provide programs that include what's going on and all the responses. In the meantime, here's a helpful resource: https://www.usccb.org/offices/public-affairs/structure-and-meaning-mass

Why do we stand and sit so much?

As Catholics, we believe that prayer is not just performed with our minds, but also with our bodies. We stand as a sign of reverence and readiness. We stand for the processional, the recessional, and to respect the Word of the Lord in the Gospel acclamation. We sit as a sign of openness to instruction and learning. We sit for the Old and New Testament readings. Finally, we kneel as the ultimate sign of reverence for our Lord Jesus Christ. If you're ever not sure what to do, consult your program or look to see what a Catholic is doing!

On a related note, many traditional Catholics will bow when saying or hearing the name of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Rachel and I participate in this devotion and we invite you to as well!

How long is a Mass?

A Catholic Mass is typically about an hour. Our wedding Mass will incorporate some more traditional elements, so it may go slightly longer.