I Am Not worthy

 WHY DO CATHOLICS SAY : “LORD, I AM NOT WORTHY …” BEFORE HOLY COMMUNION ?


We say “Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed” before Communion as a profession of humility, faith, and trust in Jesus’ power to heal and save, even though we are unworthy to receive Him.

1. Scriptural Origin

This prayer echoes the words of the Roman centurion in the Gospel:

“Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and my servant will be healed.”

— Matthew 8:8

The Church adopts these words because the centurion’s humility and faith are a model for us as we prepare to receive Jesus in the Eucharist.

2. Catechism of the Catholic Church

“To respond to this invitation we must prepare ourselves for so great and so holy a moment. […] We must humbly recognize that we are not worthy to receive him under our roof, but only say the word and our souls shall be healed” (CCC 1385).

This teaches that we approach the Eucharist with humility, aware of our sinfulness, yet confident in God’s mercy.

3. General Instruction of the Roman Missal

“The faithful say aloud: ‘Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof…’, which prepares them to receive Christ in Communion with humility and trust” (GIRM 84).

The liturgy uses this moment to spiritually prepare the faithful by awakening a heart ready to receive the Lord in truth and reverence.

This prayer reminds us of the following:

 • Christ comes to us not because we are worthy, but because of His grace.

 • We need healing—spiritually and sometimes physically.

 • Faith opens the way for Christ to work in us, as it did for the centurion’s servant.

Follow for more. God bless!

©️Fr. AC Perez, SchP (2025)

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