Meaning of communion (what is it, concept and definition)

What is Communion:

Communion is a term that arises from the alliance between the words common and union. Its essential meaning refers to the participation of two or more entities in something common. This means that the participants share a series of values, ideas, belief systems or precepts and express it through their treatment or through concrete actions.

For this reason, the word is often also referred to as intimate exchange, family treatment and open communication. Example: "It feels like there is great fellowship between them."

Communion is called the action of participating in communion. For example: "If you agree with this idea, you must express it publicly." "After giving peace, Catholics are preparing to receive Communion." In the latter case, communicating takes on the more specific meaning of 'consuming the host'.

The word "communion" is of fundamental importance in religious discourses, particularly in Christianity, where it is used to designate a specific sacrament and the principle of the spiritual community of the faithful. Let's see.

Holy communion or sacrament of communion

In Christian religions, the word communion refers to the sacrament of the Lord's Supper, also called the eucharist or holy communion. In this sacrament, the consecration of bread and wine, symbols of the body and blood of Jesus Christ, is carried out, which must be consumed by the faithful as a sign of communion with the teachings of the Messiah.

While for the Catholic Church communion corresponds to one of its seven sacraments, the Protestant religions only conceive two sacraments, among which are baptism and, of course, communion.

In the particular case of the Catholic Churches, the expression first communion is used to refer to the moment when a person receives this sacrament for the first time. As a general rule, the first communion requires prior formation and can only be received from approximately 9 years of age, with few exceptions.

See also Sacramento.

The communion of saints

Catholic Christians also believe in the principle of communion of saints, this is the idea that all the deceased who have lived in the grace of God participate in the gifts of eternal life in communion with Jesus, and that these at their instead they are in communion with the souls in purgatory and the souls of the living on earth. In other words, the communion of saints refers to the union between Jesus Christ and the members of his Church.