Holy Communion refers to the Eucharist and the wine that some Christians take as a symbol of the body and blood of Christ, during a portion of a church service. In Roman Catholicism, Holy Communion is not simply symbolic of the body of Christ, but it is as well the body of Christ. It is a sacrament. Sacrament in Catholicism is described as the symbol of the thing and the thing itself.

This means when practicing Catholics take Holy Communion, it has been transformed through prayer into the physical body of Christ. They are thus taking Christ within themselves. Other Christian denominations do not practice Holy Communion, or refer to it only as symbolic of the body of Christ as he referred to it at the Last Supper.

In Catholicism, practicing Catholics make their first Holy Communion at the age of seven or eight. This is considered the age of reason in Catholicism. Thus children making their first Holy Communion can understand exactly what they are doing when they first accept the host. In other Christian denominations, bread and wine may be passed to all members of a church.

If an adult joins the Catholic Church he or she will participate in a ceremony, which includes baptism, first Holy Communion, and Confirmation or baptism by the spirit. Other churches may also require baptism prior to offering Holy Communion to new church members. Many other churches do not differentiate between baptism by one denomination or another.

Most churches ask that non-believers or those of other denominations not take Holy Communion. While visitors are welcome to be in fellowship with church members, taking Holy Communion is a conscious act requiring belief.

Not all people who take Holy Communion also drink the wine or grape juice offered. Alcoholics, for example, seldom drink the wine. As well, those who are concerned about illness may not drink since the wine is often shared from a mutual cup. Wine or juice offered at Holy Communion is optional. Primarily a person is considered to have taken Holy Communion if he or she has eaten the communion host, or bread. Churches differ on what constitutes the bread. Sometimes Holy Communion begins as just plain bread.

In Catholic Churches Holy Communion is a round white wafer made of wheat. Toward the end of the mass, the priest consecrates the host, and then people make their way toward the priest to receive the host. The Priest holds up the host momentarily and says “The Body of Christ." Those receiving the host respond by saying "Amen."

The host is then placed on the tongue, or in the upturned palms of the receiver, and is consumed immediately. Parishioners then make their way back to their seats and several moments of silent reflection are then observed.

Consecrated host may be sent with those authorized by the church to give communion, to take to those who cannot attend church, such as those will illness. Either a man or woman may give communion, but only a priest may consecrate Holy Communion. Before its consecration, communion is simply bread.

Taking Holy Communion is a part of virtually all masses, and every other sacrament. For example, a baptism offers Holy Communion to all attending that are practicing members of that particular sect of Christianity. Marriages, even when they do not include a Mass, include Holy Communion. Holy Communion is also offered at every daily Mass, in Catholicism.

Roman Catholics, however, do not take Holy Communion on Good Friday, the day that remembers the crucifixion of Christ. Communion is once again offered on Easter, three days later to commemorate Christ’s resurrection.