What happens when you take Holy Communion without being baptized?

Answer 1

No, it is not correct. Communion is restricted to baptized Catholics in a state of grace. When you receive communion you are stating that you are in 'full communion' with the Catholic Church and believe in the true presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist. That is the purpose of the recipient saying 'Amen!' when receiving the host.

Answer 2

First of all, a person may never "take" Holy Communion, you may only receive Holy Communion. Secondly, St. Paul was very blunt about receiving Holy Communion in a state of sin - it causes death, even physical death at times, see 1 Corinthians 11:27-32. An unbaptized person is still in a state of original sin and has no life in them, to receive Holy Communion in such a state is a sacrilege.

Another Answer:

Some background first, though many Christian Churches celebrate the Eucharist/Communion or Lord's Supper, they seem to overlook the timeless significance of the Passover that Christ observed and gave new symbols for to continue to observe annually until His 2nd Coming.

The term "Eucharist" (Greek for 'giving thanks')came via men's interpretation of the passage of Luke 22:17-19: Please note Christ is keeping the Passover here:

Luke 22:17-19

New King James Version (NKJV)

17

Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and said,“Take this and divideitamong yourselves;

18

for I say to you,

I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”

19

And He took bread, gave thanks and brokeit,and gaveitto them, saying,“This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.”

Similarly, the term "Communion" has been used by many Christian Churches and comes from a biblical use of the term here - (noting once again it is referring to the Passover):

1 Corinthians 10:16-17

New King James Version (NKJV)

16

The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?

17

For we,thoughmany, are one breadandone body; for we all partake of that one bread.

Lastly, the term "Lord's Supper" is also used interchangeably with both Eucharist and Communion by many Christian Churches from Paul's using it here: note again the Passover

1 Corinthians 11:20

New King James Version (NKJV)

20

Therefore when you come together in one place, it is not to eat the Lord’s Supper.

Paul used the Greek

expressionkuriakon deipnon

(literally, "a lordly meal") to tell the Corinthians that their shameful conduct at the common

meal prior to this ceremony did not constitute a Christian meal. Paul is explaining the 'traditions' Christians should follow, which includes the Passover of simple bread and wine and washing of the feet (John 13:1-17) to be observed annually to remember the Lord Jesus:

1 Corinthians 11:2

New King James Version (NKJV)

Head Coverings

2

Now I praise you, brethren, that you remember me in all things and keep the traditions just as I deliveredthemto you

So with the above explanation, outside a particular Church, there is nothing that happens to one who respectfully observes the new symbols of the Passover Jesus gave us. The Christian is simply doing what our Lord told us to do and following His example until His 2nd Coming.