Guidelines for Receiving

Holy Communion

You are invited...

We, members and clergy of the North American Old Catholic Church, recognize that we have a very real and personal encounter with the risen Lord Jesus in the celebration of the sacred meal that we call “Eucharist”, that is, “thanksgiving”.

When we take our place at the table, we understand and acknowledge that this is the Lord’s table and that this sacred meal is the Lord’s supper.  We are all His invited guests.  No one is excluded.

We realize, too, that when we together partake of the bread that is broken and the cup that is blessed, we receive the Lord Jesus Himself. Through this meal Jesus lovingly offers His very self to us.  He gives us His body and His blood. In return we offer ourselves to Him and to one another in love. This is Holy Communion.

Holy Communion is not a reward given to those who have earned the right to receive, but rather, this sacrament is a gift of God’s grace freely given for our benefit.  Eucharist (Communion) is for everyone who wants to share at the table of the Lord and fed spiritually by His presence. To eat and drink “worthily” is to have this awareness of Christ’s presence in the celebration of this meal that is a memorial of His death until He comes again.

It is customary that we wash before we eat.  Jesus said, “If I do not wash you, you will have no share in my heritage.”  Baptism is the only normative and necessary preparation for partaking in this Eucharistic meal.  The Catholic Church recognizes the validity of the baptism celebrated by all Christian denominations provided that that baptism was of water in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Therefore, if you have followed the Lord Jesus through the waters of baptism and you believe and recognize His presence with us in this Eucharistic celebration, you are invited to receive this Holy Communion with our Lord and with us.