EUCHARIST

As a precept of the Church, baptized Catholics are to receive Holy Communion, or the Eucharist, at least once per year, usually at Easter. The devout are encouraged to receive Holy Communion frequently, on the Lord's Day and weekdays, as confession and their conscience allows. When we receive the Holy Eucharist, we receive the True Presence of Our Lord Jesus Christ - Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity.  

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In order to be properly disposed to receive Holy Communion, participants should not be conscious of grave sin and are required to fast from solid food for one hour. A person who is conscious of grave sin should abstain from reception of the Body and Blood of the Lord without prior sacramental confession except for a grave reason where there is no opportunity for confession. In this case, the person is to be mindful of the obligation to make an act of perfect contrition, including the intention of confessing as soon as possible (canon 916). A frequent reception of the sacrament of confession is encouraged for all. (USCCB - Guidelines for the Reception of Communion)