Your actions and reactions will either confirm you are a catholic or cast a doubt. Since the Body and Blood is sacred and only baptized Catholics should receive it, the person would want to make sure before offering the sacrament. What is more, altar servers don't offer the sacrament of the Eucharistic
So usually you would cross your arms and bow your head if you do not wish to receive or are not catholic, and they will give you a blessing i have never been asked if i was catholic on my way to receive so yeah.. 😅
Dear Jane, Thank you for making us aware of the very upsetting experience during the Noon Mass on Sunday. Our sincerest apologies - it is regrettable that this happened and that you left the Shrine angry and upset. This is not the experience I would want when leaving the National Shrine. As a place of pilgrimage, the National Shrine receives a million visitors each year from around the world. We welcome all to Mary’s House! And many times, a non-Catholic has attempted to receive the Eucharist at Mass; a few times our ushers have found a Host or two on/under the pews. There have been instances, outside the National Shrine, where people take a consecrated Host for satanic rituals/practices. It is important, therefore, for ministers to safeguard the Eucharist. We will follow up with all our ministers on appropriate ways to protect our Lord and to safeguard the Eucharist. Thank you again for visiting the National Shrine. Please know of our prayers for you.
If you are Catholic,you should know how to approach and extend you hands to receive communion, but if you just stand there then the minister can ask you.
I remember when I was trained to be a Eucharistic minister we weren't supposed to give the Eucharist to people we knew weren't Catholic. I also know that when you minister, the minister is not to do anything that detracts from the moment. .
It's not usual for an altar server to ask this but since the shrine is well known place for tourists of all religious backgrounds, they might ask this because non-catholics are not technically supposed to receive communion (though they are always welcome to a blessing). I hope this helps!
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