Who Can Receive Communion? Catholic Rules and How to Receive

Catholics who have made their First Communion, are in the state of grace and have kept the one-hour Eucharistic fast may receive Holy Communion at Mass. Because Catholics believe that the Eucharist is truly the Body and Blood of Christ and a sign of unity in one faith, the Church asks those who are not Catholic, and Catholics who are aware of serious sin, not to receive, while warmly welcoming everyone to Mass. Below are the Church’s rules in plain words, with references to the Catechism and canon law, what non-Catholic visitors should do, how to receive reverently on the tongue or in the hand, and what to do when you cannot receive.

Why it matters: what Catholics believe

Catholics believe that in the Eucharist Jesus Christ is truly present, Body, Blood, soul and divinity. He invites us to receive him:

Then Jesus said to them: Amen, amen I say unto you: Except you eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, you shall not have life in you.
He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath everlasting life: and I will raise him up in the last day.
For my flesh is meat indeed: and my blood is drink indeed.
He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, abideth in me, and I in him.

St. Paul warns that receiving unworthily is serious, and urges each person to examine himself first:

For as often as you shall eat this bread, and drink the chalice, you shall shew the death of the Lord, until he come.
Therefore whosoever shall eat this bread, or drink the chalice of the Lord unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and of the blood of the Lord.
But let a man prove himself: and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of the chalice.
For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh judgment to himself, not discerning the body of the Lord.

Who may receive Communion

A Catholic may receive Holy Communion if he or she:

Has received First Holy Communion after suitable preparation.
Is in the state of grace. “Anyone who desires to receive Christ in Eucharistic communion must be in the state of grace. Anyone aware of having sinned mortally must not receive communion without having received absolution in the sacrament of penance” (CCC 1415; canon 916). Venial sins are forgiven by a good Communion; mortal sins must first be confessed.
Has kept the Eucharistic fast: no food or drink, except water and medicine, for at least one hour before Communion (canon 919). The elderly, the sick and those who care for them may receive even if they have eaten within the hour.
Is not barred by a public situation contrary to the Church’s teaching. For example, the Catechism teaches that Catholics who have divorced and remarried civilly without a declaration of nullity “cannot receive Eucharistic communion as long as this situation persists” (CCC 1650). Anyone in a difficult situation should speak with a priest, who can help.

If you have committed a mortal sin, go to confession before receiving. If there is a grave reason to receive and no possibility of confession, you must make an act of perfect contrition, which includes the resolve to confess as soon as possible (CCC 1457). See how to go to confession.

How often may Catholics receive?

The Church encourages Catholics to receive “on Sundays and feast days, or more often still, even daily” (CCC 1389).
Catholics must receive at least once a year, if possible during the Easter season (the “Easter duty”).
You may receive a second time on the same day, but only at a Mass in which you participate (canon 917). A person in danger of death may also receive Viaticum.

Can non-Catholics receive Communion?

In general, no. Receiving Communion is a sign of full communion in faith with the Catholic Church, and the Church does not invite those who do not share that faith to make that sign. This is not a judgment on anyone’s sincerity, but respect for what Communion means.

Orthodox and other Eastern Christians, whose Churches have true sacraments and priesthood, may receive Communion in the Catholic Church if they ask for it on their own and are properly disposed, though their own Churches usually ask them not to (CCC 1399; canon 844).
Protestant Christians may receive only in exceptional cases of grave necessity, such as danger of death, when they cannot go to their own minister, ask on their own, share the Catholic faith in the Eucharist and are properly disposed, as judged by the bishop (CCC 1401).
Non-Christians do not receive Communion.

Non-Catholic visitors are warmly welcome at Mass. During Communion they can stay in the pew and pray for unity, or, where the parish allows it, come forward with arms crossed over the chest to receive a blessing.

How to receive Holy Communion

Prepare. Arrive on time, pray before Mass and examine your conscience. See the prayer before Communion.
Bow. As the person before you receives, make a simple bow of the head (in the United States) or another sign of reverence.
Answer “Amen.” When the minister says “The Body of Christ,” answer “Amen,” meaning “Yes, I believe.”
On the tongue: open your mouth and extend your tongue so that the minister can place the Host on it.
In the hand: place your left hand on your right, like a throne, receive the Host in the left palm, step aside, and with the right hand place it in your mouth at once. St. Cyril of Jerusalem taught this in the fourth century: make your left hand a throne for the right, which is to receive a King.
From the chalice: when offered the Precious Blood, answer “Amen,” take the chalice, drink a little and hand it back.
Return and give thanks. Spend a few moments in silent prayer. See the prayer after Communion of St. Thomas Aquinas.

When you cannot receive

If you are not able to receive, you can make a spiritual communion, asking Jesus to come into your heart by desire. See the spiritual communion prayer.

Frequently asked questions

Can non-Catholics receive Communion at a Catholic Mass?

Generally no, except Orthodox Christians who ask, or other Christians in grave necessity with the bishop’s judgment. Non-Catholics are welcome at Mass and may come forward for a blessing where that is the custom.

How long do you have to fast before Communion?

One hour, from all food and drink except water and medicine. The elderly and sick are exempt.

When should you not take Communion?

If you are aware of mortal sin not yet confessed, if you have not kept the one-hour fast, if you are not Catholic, or if you have not yet made your First Communion.

Can you receive Communion twice in one day?

Yes, a second time, but only during a Mass you attend.

More about the Eucharist

Sources

Catechism of the Catholic Church 1389, 1399, 1401, 1415, 1457, 1650.
Code of Canon Law, canons 844, 916, 917, 919 and 920.
St. Cyril of Jerusalem, Mystagogical Catecheses 5.21.
Scripture: John 6:54–57 (6:53–56 in modern Bibles); 1 Corinthians 11:26–29, Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner), public domain.