Editing Catholic Mass (section)

==== Reception of Communion ====
*Communion = becoming one with the Body and Blood of Christ, a gift from Christ
** note that we do no't "take" but instead "receive" Communion, as it is a grace and gift from God, not something we take from him
**even though at the Last Supper, Jesus told the Apostles, "''Take and eat; this is my body''" ([https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/26?26 Matthew: 26:26]) and "Take it; this is my body" ([https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/14?22 Mark 14:22]) 
*** in Luke, he says, ([https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/22?19 Luke 22:19])
<blockquote>Then he took the bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which will be given for you; do this in memory of me.</blockquote>and from St. Paul in 1 Corinthians: <blockquote>Lord Jesus, on the night he was handed over, took bread, and, after he had given thanks, broke it and said, “This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”

In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” ([https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1corinthians/11?23 1Cor 23-26])</blockquote>
*first, the priest himself receives communion
**saying quietly before receiving the Host
<blockquote>May the Body of Christ

keep me safe for eternal life</blockquote>
*and then, before receiving the Chalice
<blockquote>May the Blood of Christ

keep me safe for eternal life</blockquote>
*if there is music, a "Communion antiphon" (antiphon = response) will be sung while the priest receives Holy Communion
*if there is no music, the priest will receive Communion, then recite the "Communion antiphon," which will vary according to each Mass
*the priest then distributes the Eucharist to the serving ministers in the sanctuary (where the altar is located)
**<u>Note</u>: 
***the priest and deacon are "Ordinary Ministers of Communion" 
****in that they are the ones to "ordinarily" distribute Holy Communion"
***other lay (non-clerical) ministers may assist, however, called "Extraordinary Ministers of Communion"
****in that they are not, or outside of, "Ordinary Ministers"
*the priest then walks to the front of the alter to distribute Holy Communion (usually just the Host)
*the faithful step in line, starting at the front of the Church, to receive the Eucharist, i.e. "Reception of Communion"
**note that Catholics alone should participate in the Eucharist
***and only if they are not in a state of Mortal Sin (i.e. without a valid Confession)
***here for [https://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/the-mass/order-of-mass/liturgy-of-the-eucharist/guidelines-for-the-reception-of-communion Guidelines for the Reception of Communion | USCCB]
*the people may "receive" the Host by hand or directly to the mouth (traditional) 
**post-Covid, many parishes no longer distribute the Chalice, or it is offered optionally
**see [[Recieving (not taking) Communion|Receive (not take) Communion]] 
*afterwards, the faithful return to the pews and kneel in prayer, gratitude and thanksgiving