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About Receiving Communion . . .
 
Guidelines for the Reception of Communion by Catholics
 
As Catholics, we fully participate in the celebration of the Eucharist when we receive Holy Communion.  We are encouraged to receive Communion devoutly and frequently.  In order to be properly disposed to receive Communion, participants should not be conscious of grave sin and normally should have fasted for one hour.  A person who is conscious of grave sin is not to receive the Body and Blood of the Lord without prior sacramental confession except for a grave reason where there is no opportunity for confession.  In this case, the person is to be mindful of the obligation to make an act of perfect contrition, including the intention of confessing as soon as possible.
 
 

The Main Altar of the Basilica
mainaltar.jpg

Guidelines for the Reception of Communion by Non-Catholics

We welcome our fellow Christians to this celebration of the Eucharist as our brothers and sisters. Because Catholics believe that the celebration of the Eucharist is a sign of the reality of the oneness of faith, life, and worship, members of those churches with whom we are not yet fully united are ordinarily not admitted to Holy Communion. All who can not receive Holy Communion are encouraged to express in their hearts a prayerful desire for unity with the Lord Jesus and with one another.

We also welcome to this celebration those non-Christians who do not share our faith in Jesus Christ. While we cannot admit them to Holy Communion, we ask them to offer their prayers for the peace and the unity of the human family.

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The above guidelines are stipulated by the United States Catholic Conference.

Basilica of Saint Lawrence 97 Haywood Street Asheville, North Carolina  28801

Tel: 828.252.6042 Fax: 828.254.0414

Office Hours:  Mon - Fri, 9:00 a.m. to Noon and 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.

Email: basilicaweddings@bellsouth.net