HOLY COMMUNION/EUCHARIST RITUALS

Holy Communion/Eucharist Rituals

Holy Communion/Eucharist Rituals

Introduction

By Communion is meant the actual reception of the Sacrament of the Eucharist. Ascetic writers speak,

of a purely sacramental reception; that is, when the Eucharist is received by a person capable indeed of the fruits but wanting in some disposition so that the effects are not produced;

of a spiritual reception, that is, by a desire accompanied with sentiments of charity; and

of a sacramental and spiritual reception, that is, by those who are in a state of grace and have the necessary dispositions. (Yates, 2008)

It is of this last kind there is question here. For real reception of the Blessed Eucharist it is required that the sacred species be received into the stomach. For this alone is the eating referred to by our Lord. Under the moral aspect will be considered, in reference to Holy Communion: necessity; subject; dispositions. The liturgical aspect will embrace: minister of the sacrament; method of administration. The concept of communion lies at the heart of the Church's self-understanding. This communion is a gift from God, which is a fruit of the Paschal mystery. Also this communion is directed towards its eschatological end— Union between the Trinity and each human person and mankind with itself. It is not a univocal idea, but it needs to be understood in light of the Biblical and Patristic traditions. (Teter, 2006)

Discussion

Eucharist directly commemorates the Last Supper. During the Eucharist, the priest, representing Jesus Christ shares bread and wine with his congregation. The Eucharist also takes into memory what Jesus said and did. (Ratzinger , 2000) There is not one single explanation to the Eucharist, and there exists many understandings of the ritual.

The ritual is considered a symbol of unity in the church, and aids also to keep this unity. Most churches teach that Jesus Christ is present in some way or the other during the celebration of Eucharist. Two ideas dominate the understanding of the Eucharist: presence and sacrifice.

The word comes from the Greek noun Eucharistia, meaning thanksgiving. (Morrisroe, 1999Revised Edition) The Eucharist is celebrated by all churches. Most churches consider the Eucharist as the fulfillment of God's plan for the salvation of humanity from sin. It is also considered a sacrament. Most Christian traditions teach that Jesus Christ is present during the celebration of the Eucharist. Exactly how, varies somewhat, but not decisively. All churches in the Middle East and North Africa agree that Christ is really, fully and uniquely present in the Eucharistic elements as well as that the ceremony makes the sacrifice of Christ present. How bread and wine become the body and blood of Christ is simply said to be a mystery.

In the Roman Catholic Church, the Eucharist is one of the 7 sacraments, but it has an elevated place, considered the "the source and summit of the Christian life". (McGrath, 2006) Eucharist can only be performed by a validly ordained priest, as he acts in the person of Christ. In the ceremony only unleavened wheaten bread and grape wine ...