Eucharist

St. Mary’s School and St. Mary’s PSR students receive the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist in the second grade. Students complete the necessary requirements by attending classes. Students who are beyond second grade can make special arrangements with the Director of Religious Education to receive these sacraments for the first time.

The Holy Eucharist is the most important of the seven sacraments because, in this and in no other sacrament, we receive the very body and blood, soul and divinity of Jesus Christ. Innumerable, precious graces come to us through the reception of Holy Communion. The Church sets out specific guidelines regarding how we should prepare ourselves to receive the Lord’s body and blood in Communion. To receive Communion worthily, you must be in a state of grace, have made a good confession since your last mortal sin, believe in transubstantiation, observe the Eucharistic fast, and, finally, not be under an ecclesiastical censure such as excommunication.

Non-Catholics and Catholics who do not wish to receive Communion for any reason, are welcome at St. Mary’s to approach the altar along with those receiving but with arms crossed over chest to indicate that they would like a blessing.

The Eucharist is distributed at Mass by the priest(s) and Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist. For more information on becoming an Extraordinary Minister, contact Gloria Couvion, DRE.