In Best of the Week

Why Don’t Most Catholics Receive Both the Host and the Precious Blood at Communion Like at the Last Supper? (The Patrick Madrid Show)

Jake Mooreby Jake Moore

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Many Catholics have wondered why, at most Masses, the congregation receives only the consecrated Host, and not the Precious Blood? In this episode ofThe Patrick Madrid Show, Patrick unpacks the theology behind this practice and clears up one of the most common misconceptions about Holy Communion.

He explains that during the Last Supper, Jesus shared both His Body and Blood with the Apostles because He was ordaining them as the first priests of the New Covenant – not setting a universal rule for laypeople. At Mass today, when the faithful receive the Eucharist under either form – the Host or the Precious Blood – they receive thewhole Christ: Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity. Nothing is missing.

Patrick also shares that receiving under both kinds is a more recent development in Church history, only becoming common after the 1960s. Before that, laypeople traditionally received only the Host to prevent confusion and to safeguard belief in the Real Presence. Whether a parish offers both forms or just the Host, the grace received is the same.

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Jake Moore

Jake Moore

Jake Moore serves as a Digital Audio Content Producer for Relevant Radio®. He is a graduate of Franciscan University of Steubenville, and is passionate about classic movies, Christian music, young adult ministry, and leading this generation to Christ through compelling media. You can listen to more of his podcasts at relevantradio.com and on the Relevant Radio® app.