Communicants

Communicants are individuals who participate in the sacrament of the Eucharist in Christian liturgy. The term emphasizes sharing in the body and blood of Christ and is most commonly used in Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, and Eastern Orthodox contexts, though practices and eligibility vary by denomination.

Etymology and use: The word derives from the Latin communicare, meaning “to share” or “to make common.” In many churches, communicants are those baptized believers who have been prepared to receive Holy Communion, distinguishing them from those who do not participate in the sacrament at a given service.

Catholic practice: In the Roman Catholic Church, communicants are baptized Catholics who have received first Holy Communion and are in a state of grace, typically meaning they have confessed mortal sins or received absolution beforehand. They are expected to observe the Eucharistic fast and to approach the sacrament reverently, either with the host on the tongue or in the hand, and, where permitted, to receive from the chalice according to local norms. Non-Catholic Christians may not be counted as communicants in Catholic practice, though some may participate in the Eucharist in interchurch settings.

Other denominations: In Anglican and Lutheran traditions, communicants are baptized believers who have been admitted to Holy Communion. Practices vary; some churches admit children after confirmation or catechesis, while others practice broader eligibility. The term is often used in liturgical guidance and parish rosters to indicate who is entitled to receive communion.

Continued use: Today, communicants mainly appears in liturgical contexts and official church documents, reflecting historical emphasis on who may receive the Eucharist in a given service.