comunione

Comunion (comunione in Italian) is the act and concept of sharing in the Eucharist, a central rite in many Christian traditions. The term comes from Latin communio, meaning participation, fellowship, or union, and it expresses the believed reconciliation and unity of believers with Christ and with the Church through the sacrament.

In the Roman Catholic Church, the Eucharist is considered the source and summit of Christian life. During the Mass, bread and wine are consecrated by the priest and are believed to become the Body and Blood of Christ, a doctrine known as transubstantiation. The faithful receive Holy Communion, most commonly under the form of bread, with the wine often reserved for the priest or distributed to the laity in certain arrangements. Requirements for reception include baptism, being in a state of grace, and observing the Eucharistic fast. Practices regarding the manner of receiving (on the tongue or in the hand) and the distribution of the chalice vary.

In Eastern Orthodoxy, the Eucharist is likewise central and is celebrated with a belief in the real presence of Christ. Communion is typically offered with leavened bread and wine, often administered with a spoon, and is usually received after partaking of the prepared liturgy. Other traditions, such as Anglican and Lutheran churches, also practice a form of the Eucharist known as Holy Communion or the Eucharist, and they generally affirm some sense of Christ’s real presence, though explanations of how this is realized differ by tradition. Distribution methods and the scope of communicants can vary, reflecting different ecclesial norms.

Historically, the rite traces to Jesus at the Last Supper and has evolved in doctrine, liturgy, and ecumenical practice. Contemporary discussions often address intercommunion and the conditions under which members of different denominations may share in the sacrament.