Many Catholics wonder what happens if they are late for Mass. Can I take communion if I haven’t heard the readings? Find out what the catechism says
Catholics know that Jesus left the sacraments to help us grow in faith and achieve holiness. And we have three that are those of Christian initiation, among them, the Eucharist, which we also know as Mass and communion.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church says that the Eucharist is called:
Communion, because through this sacrament we join Christ who makes us partakers of his Body and Blood to form a single body (cf 1 Cor 10:16-17) (CIC 1331).
Then he mentions that:
“In communion, preceded by the Lord’s prayer and the breaking of bread, the faithful receive “the bread from heaven” and “the cup of salvation,” the Body and Blood of Christ who gave himself “for life.” of the world” (Jn 6:51)” (CCC 1355)
It is important, therefore, to remember that this is not a symbol, but that we truly eat the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is given to us as food for eternal life.
The two parts of the Mass
On a regular basis, Catholics take communion during Holy Mass – unless we are sick and are taken home. The celebration, as the Catechism says, is divided into two parts: the liturgy of the word and the eucharistic liturgy ( CIC 1346 ).
Monica Muñoz
During the first, we listen to the biblical readings and the priest’s homily, we ask for our intentions and we profess our faith. It is a very important part because it prepares us for the next one, which is the Eucharistic liturgy, where we present the gifts that will be converted into the body and blood of Christ.