Question about Communion at a Mass

patti08 Posted: Feb 16, 2005 01:29 PM

Question about Communion at a Mass

I am a bridesmaid in a few weeks. Bride is having a full mass. While I was raised Catholic, I am not any more and I have not received communion at any ceremony in several years. What do I do as a bridesmaid when it's time for communion?

nylisa Posted: Feb 16, 2005 01:30 PM

Re: Question about Communion at a Mass

You do not have to go up to receive Communion. I had one BM who was not Catholic and when it came time to receive, she stayed in the pew while the other BMs got on line to recieve Communion.

Thumballina Posted: Feb 16, 2005 01:32 PM

Re: Question about Communion at a Mass

Unless you're planning on going to confession before the wedding then you should not go up to recieve communion. You can just stay in the pew.

coxmandi Posted: Feb 16, 2005 01:40 PM

Re: Question about Communion at a Mass

Posted by Thumballina

Unless you're planning on going to confession before the wedding then you should not go up to recieve communion. You can just stay in the pew.

If you don't participate regularly in church, then you need to go to confession or 'be contrite in your heart' and plan on going to confession sometime soon after the service to technically receive communion.

I would stay in the pew, the church doesn't expect everyone to participate.

patti08 Posted: Feb 16, 2005 01:40 PM

Re: Question about Communion at a Mass

Posted by Thumballina

Unless you're planning on going to confession before the wedding then you should not go up to recieve communion. You can just stay in the pew.

I'd sooner be...

Well rather than offend anyone I'll just say, I am no longer catholic and won't be looking for ANY of the catholic church's sacraments.

Ideally I just don't want to make the bride uncomfortable.

tanielle5k Posted: Feb 16, 2005 01:55 PM

Re: Question about Communion at a Mass

There are plenty of non-catholics at most Catholic weddings....you will not be alone and there is no nee dto stress about it. Just stay put.

dita531 Posted: Feb 16, 2005 04:42 PM

Re: Question about Communion at a Mass

Don't worry about it- just stay in the pew. My Mom and half the bridal party is not Catholic.

Ronkonkomonga Posted: Feb 16, 2005 05:53 PM

Re: Question about Communion at a Mass

Posted by coxmandi

'be contrite in your heart' and plan on going to confession sometime soon after the service to technically receive communion.

QUOTE]

I never heard of that part. I thought it was confession or you don't receive.

I'd just stay in the pew

lc214 Posted: Feb 16, 2005 06:16 PM

Re: Question about Communion at a Mass

The deacon told us that if the priest knows ahead of time, he won't offer it to you. The BM's in my church don't actually leave the pew, the priest comes to them. He told us to tell those BM's not receiving to cross their arms over their chests.

suven Posted: Feb 16, 2005 06:21 PM

Re: Question about Communion at a Mass

My maid of honor and another BM are Jewish. When it was time to go up for communion, they came out of the pew, and paused by the Bishop (we were married by a Bishop), and then walked back into the pew. On video, you can't even tell that they didn't stop for Communion.

Goldi1021 Posted: Feb 16, 2005 07:15 PM

Re: Question about Communion at a Mass

An ex boyfriend of mine (who is Jewish) had been part of a Catholic bridal party. He was not expected to bow or kneel at any time. During the portion of the mass where he would have received communion, he DID go up with his corresponding bridesmaid and just held his head low (as per the suggestion of the priest) so he knew NOT to give him communion. HE went up to keep the uniformity of the bridal party.

After the rehearsal, he politely went up to the priest and explained that he was Jewish and therefore would not be able to take part in any of the religious aspects of the service. The priest said to him 'Well it is nice to know that there is a good Jewish person among us.' In other words, for a person to pray before a church/religion he does not follow is sacrilege. Its like taking the name of the lord in vain. Do what your heart tells you to do.