Church Law - Mass and Holy Communion

[BarbTh]

1. 
   *]Is the rule that one must be in the state of Grace and free of mortal sin to be able to receive Holy Communion a disciplinary law of The Church or is it Church Doctrine or Dogma?
   
   *]Must a person in the state of mortal sin also refrain from attending Mass?

 

[e_c]

1. 
   *]Is the rule that one must be in the state of Grace and free of mortal sin to be able to receive Holy Communion a disciplinary law of The Church or is it Church Doctrine or Dogma?
   
   *]Must a person in the state of mortal sin also refrain from attending Mass?

1. 1. It is a discipline which follows immediately and evidently from doctrine, as would most (or even all) moral laws - it is clearest when Divine law and natural law meet, as they do here.
   2. No, he is still obligated to attend. This obligation comes from being a Catholic. (Here is another example of Divine law and natural law meeting, where a discipline follows directly from doctrine).

 

[po18guy]

We are bound by our love of God to attend mass at least on the Lord’s day and Holy Days of Obligation. As to Holy Communion, bear in mind that Saint Paul taught that unworthy reception of Holy Communion was to eat and drink damnation unto oneself. (1 Cor. 11). A few applicable sections from the free online catechism:

B]CCC1385 To respond to this invitation we must prepare ourselves for so great and so holy a moment. St. Paul urges us to examine our conscience: "Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of profaning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a man examine himself, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For any one who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment upon himself."218 Anyone conscious of a grave sin must receive the sacrament of Reconciliation before coming to communion.

CCC1386 Before so great a sacrament, the faithful can only echo humbly and with ardent faith the words of the Centurion: “Domine, non sum dignus ut intres sub tectum meum, sed tantum dic verbo, et sanabitur anima mea” (“Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul will be healed.”).219 And in the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom the faithful pray in the same spirit:

O Son of God, bring me into communion today with your mystical supper. I shall not tell your enemies the secret, nor kiss you with Judas' kiss. But like the good thief I cry, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."

CCC1387 To prepare for worthy reception of this sacrament, the faithful should observe the fast required in their Church.220 Bodily demeanor (gestures, clothing) ought to convey the respect, solemnity, and joy of this moment when Christ becomes our guest.

CCC1415 Anyone who desires to receive Christ in Eucharistic communion must be in the state of grace. Anyone aware of having sinned mortally must not receive communion without having received absolution in the sacrament of penance.*

 

[brad90956]

Must a person in the state of mortal sin also refrain from attending Mass?

No, they are free to attend Mass at any time and are obligated to attend on Sunday (or Saturday Vigil) and Holy Days of Obligation. They just cannot receive Holy Communion until they have been absolved of their mortal sin(s) by a priest.

 

[BarbTh]

No, they are free to attend Mass at any time and are obligated to attend on Sunday (or Saturday Vigil) and Holy Days of Obligation. They just cannot receive Holy Communion until they have been absolved of their mortal sin(s) by a priest.

Correct I now know.

Thank you. Since my Opening Post, I have been able to determine that Canons 915 and 916 primarily concern priests.

vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/_P39.HTM

Canons 915 and 916:
Can. 915 Those who have been excommunicated or interdicted after the imposition or declaration of the penalty and others obstinately persevering in manifest grave sin are not to be admitted to holy communion.

Can. 916 A person who is conscious of grave sin is not to celebrate Mass or receive the body of the Lord without previous sacramental confession unless there is a grave reason and there is no opportunity to confess; in this case the person is to remember the obligation to make an act of perfect contrition which includes the resolution of confessing as soon as possible.