Making the most of sacrament meeting when you can't take the sacrement

[Backroads]

The "can't" is two-fold: one is in the process of repenting, or one is in a situation where the sacrement doesn't come (as in wards forbidding the passing of the sacrement outside the chao el and one is out with a chikd or something.

If the ultimate purpose of sacrament meeting is to take the sacrament, is there any point to attending if one is unlikely to take it? My instinct is yes, but how does one make the best if it?

(No, this is not about me, just a discussion that came up)

[andypg]

In the back of every Catholic Missal are instructions for receiving the Eucharist, which Catholics take more seriously than any other denomination takes communion. For those not receiving they ask that during communion to pray for the moment when you can receive and to take a "spiritual communion".

When I was investigating, and didn't take the sacrament, I listened to the prayers, reflecting on their words, when the bread and water came around I prayed that I may take them someday and until then, I pray that God will give me the graces and forgiveness that the sacrament represents.

Outside of that moment, Sacrament Meeting provides some great and spiritually uplifting talks that I hate missing, sacrament or not.

Not sure if any of this helps.

[Iggy]

The "can't" is two-fold: one is in the process of repenting, or one is in a situation where the sacrement doesn't come (as in wards forbidding the passing of the sacrement outside the chao el and one is out with a chikd or something.

 

Ok, color me stupid, but what ward would ever forbid the passing of the sacrament? And what in the wolr is chao el???

[Backroads]

My bad. Phone typing. Chapel.

As for your other question, I have heard of wards who prohibit it for a number of reasons. My parents' ward says you must be in the chapel if you want the sacrament. Apparently they had too many people lingering in the foyer.

[Palerider]

Ok, color me stupid, but what ward would ever forbid the passing of the sacrament? And what in the wolr is chao el???

I believe they are saying the Ward they live in does not pass Sacrament outside the Chapel. Some units do that...it's up to the Bishop. Meaning pass of sacrament in the foyer.

[Palerider]

My bad. Phone typing. Chapel.

As for your other question, I have heard of wards who prohibit it for a number of reasons. My parents' ward says you must be in the chapel if you want the sacrament. Apparently they had too many people lingering in the foyer.

Sorry....I responded then I seen your response.

[pam]

The ward I'm in now doesn't pass it outside of the chapel.  You must be in the chapel to receive the Sacrament.

[Palerider]

We pass the sacrament in the foyer.....

[Iggy]

Thanks for the clarification. So, those wards that don't pass the sacrament to those in the foyer are really punishing them. If there is no room in the chapel - then that is denying them.

 

During the summer we have a chapel overflow room that is about 100 feet from the chapel - it is in the RS room. Plus we have five fussy babies whose mothers/fathers take them into the nursery - they get the sacrament served to them there too.

[Guest]

Point to ponder:

 

During General Conference and Stake Conference, Sacrament is not passed... What does that imply to you?

 

To me, the physical bread and water and renewing of covenants is just as important as the communion and uplifting of saints as well as hearing the words of our prophets - given to us in many forms (directly from the prophets' mouths, directly from church leadership's mouths, or from the mouths of our fellow saints).

 

P.S.  Sacrament is passed through the foyer in my ward.  We also have the speakers turned on in the foyer so you can hear everything.  Several parents end up in the foyer with their fussy babies.