… They’re not OK because the Church says they’re not for use on weekdays as a matter of a routine daily service.
Second, if there’s no priest to say Mass why is it important for you (I say ‘you’ in the plural, i.e. your parish, not you personally) to have a communion service. On a weekday there’s no obligation to go to Mass and even if there was these services don’t fill the obligation. Receiving communion is certainly not mandatory. I am not saying we should only go to Mass when it’s obligatory and I have every admiration for daily Mass goers. But, if there’s no Mass, there’s no Mass; why have a communion service? They separate the communion from the Mass which gives a false theology of disuniting the communion from Mass. It also implies receiving communion is more important than Mass.
There must be a good reason for the Church to say these services must be limited. There are other options for daily worship such as the Divine Office and Liturgy of the Word services.
Can you provide a quote to support: “the Church says they’re not for use on weekdays as a matter of a routine daily service.”
Regarding “if there’s no Mass, there’s no Mass; why have a communion service?” Perhaps considering indulgences would be helpful. From
vatican.va/roman_curia/tribunals/apost_penit/documents/rc_trib_appen_pro_20000129_indulgence_en.html :
"4. A plenary indulgence can be gained only once a day. In order to obtain it, the faithful must, in addition to being in the state of grace:
— have the interior disposition of complete detachment from sin, even venial sin;
— have sacramentally confessed their sins;
— receive the Holy Eucharist (it is certainly better to receive it while participating in Holy Mass, but for the indulgence only Holy Communion is required);
— pray for the intentions of the Supreme Pontiff.
- It is appropriate, but not necessary, that the sacramental Confession and especially Holy Communion and the prayer for the Pope’s intentions take place on the same day that the indulgenced work is performed; but it is sufficient that these sacred rites and prayers be carried out within several days (about 20) before or after the indulgenced act. Prayer for the Pope’s intentions is left to the choice of the faithful, but an “Our Father” and a “Hail Mary” are suggested. One sacramental Confession suffices for several plenary indulgences, but a separate Holy Communion and a separate prayer for the Holy Father’s intentions are required for each plenary indulgence."
So someone who can receive Communion 365 days a year can get 365 indulgences per year. Someone who can receive Communion 52 times a year can only get 52 indulgences. If someone wants to get an indulgence per day should the bishop have a policy that prevents that?
Some extracts from the Compendium of the Catechism:
"211. How can we help the souls being purified in purgatory?
1032
Because of the communion of saints, the faithful who are still pilgrims on earth are able to help the souls in purgatory by offering prayers in suffrage for them, especially the Eucharistic sacrifice. They also help them by almsgiving, indulgences, and works of penance."
"292. What are the fruits of Holy Communion?
1391-1397
1416
Holy Communion increases our union with Christ and with his Church. It preserves and renews the life of grace received at Baptism and Confirmation and makes us grow in love for our neighbor. It strengthens us in charity, wipes away venial sins and preserves us from mortal sin in the future."
So my understanding is that the bishop has a decision to make.
I thought they were only allowed on Sundays.