Jesus Christ said “Whoever feeds upon my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life” (John 6:54), therefore it is necessary as a Catholic to receive communion of the body of Christ, but what are the requirements to receive communion at mass?
The Church tells us that there are conditions to be able to receive communion: being a baptized Catholic and having made First Communion, since as part of our initiation into the Catholic Church we must have been baptized and practice our faith.
Not being aware of having committed a serious sin; he who is aware of having committed a mortal sin must first make a perfect contrition, that is, repent of the sin committed, moved by love for God, by the pain of having offended him (CCC 1451,1452); and then go to the sacrament of reconciliation (CCC 1456). In the case of venial sins, these will be absolved after the penitential act if we are truly sorry for having committed them (GIRM 51).
Do not live in an irregular situation; that is to say, living as a couple in a free or only civil union; having divorced after a Catholic marriage and remarrying or living with a new partner. (Familiaris Consortio 80, 81, 82, 84)
Practice Eucharistic fast, that is, not having eaten or drunk one hour before Holy Communion (Canon 919 §1)
Receive communion devoutly and respectfully, holy communion within the Catholic Church is a sacrament, that is, a visible sign of an invisible truth, we as Catholics, unlike other Christian denominations, believe in the real presence of Jesus Christ in the consecrated host and wine (CCC 1374), and it is by showing due respect to God-Son that we receive him in communion.
Let us then receive Holy Communion acknowledging in the Eucharist the real presence of our Lord Jesus Christ, let us fast for purification before attending mass, let us go to the sacrament of reconciliation if we are aware of having committed a serious sin and confess it together with any other venial sin that we have committed, and let us do everything possible to solve any irregularity that prevents us from enjoying the paschal banquet that brings us eternal life