Communion outside of Mass

[PLVaughn]

I belong to a Crusillo Group which meets on Tuesday evening. One of my group sisters had hip surgery a few weeks ago and has invited us to meet at her house, one of the other women anounced she would bring communion to all of us. It is my understanding that the only person who can receive communion is the person housebound and her caregiver if it is Sunday and the caregiver is unable to attend mass on Sat. evening or Sunday. Do you know of any written sources on this subject. We no longer have Catholic radio in Birmingham so can you answer by “E” mail. Thank you and God Bless, Penny

 

[John_Lilburne]

PLVaughn:

I belong to a Crusillo Group which meets on Tuesday evening. One of my group sisters had hip surgery a few weeks ago and has invited us to meet at her house, one of the other women anounced she would bring communion to all of us. It is my understanding that the only person who can receive communion is the person housebound and her caregiver if it is Sunday and the caregiver is unable to attend mass on Sat. evening or Sunday. Do you know of any written sources on this subject. We no longer have Catholic radio in Birmingham so can you answer by “E” mail. Thank you and God Bless, Penny

According to the Code of Canon Law, canon 917: “A person who has received the Most Holy Eucharist may receive it again on the same day only during the celebration of of the Eucharist in which the person participates, …”. (From Canon Law Society of America, 1995). An exception to this is in danger of death, where canon 921 encourages people to receive again.

So on a Sunday you could receive Holy Communion outside Mass first, then receive it in the Eucharist later. But you are not permitted to receive it in the Mass, then outside Mass later that day.

You do not have to be sick or a caregiver to receive Communion outside Mass. You simply need, what canon 918 calls a “just cause”. In this case I think a just cause is wanting to participate in this liturgy with this sick person.

Canon 918 has: “It is highly recommended that the faithful receive Holy Communion during the celebration of the Eucharist itself, but it should be administered outside Mass to those who request it for a just cause, the liturgical rites being observed.”

The ceremony for this is in the liturgical book “Holy Communion and the Worship of the Eucharist Outside of Mass”.

 

[AltarMan]

PLVaughn:

I belong to a Crusillo Group which meets on Tuesday evening. One of my group sisters had hip surgery a few weeks ago and has invited us to meet at her house, one of the other women anounced she would bring communion to all of us. It is my understanding that the only person who can receive communion is the person housebound and her caregiver if it is Sunday and the caregiver is unable to attend mass on Sat. evening or Sunday. Do you know of any written sources on this subject. We no longer have Catholic radio in Birmingham so can you answer by “E” mail. Thank you and God Bless, Penny

You could certainly have a “communion service” but it would require permission from your pastor and/or bishop. Great care would also need to be exercised and the “Holy Communion and the Worship of the Eucharist Outside of Mass” needs to be followed.

I was watching on TV where some people in an office setting were sitting around a small conference table and someone whipped out a pyx. After a minute or two of group prayer and hand-holding, they all received Holy Communion. It was sad to watch. I wonder where Jesus has been kept until their lunch hour?

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

PLVaughn:

I belong to a Crusillo Group which meets on Tuesday evening. One of my group sisters had hip surgery a few weeks ago and has invited us to meet at her house, one of the other women anounced she would bring communion to all of us. It is my understanding that the only person who can receive communion is the person housebound and her caregiver if it is Sunday and the caregiver is unable to attend mass on Sat. evening or Sunday. Do you know of any written sources on this subject. We no longer have Catholic radio in Birmingham so can you answer by “E” mail. Thank you and God Bless, Penny

You would need to ask your pastor for permission to do this. We had a Scripture study many years ago in which Father would participate. After he would go back to the rectory and allowed us to conduct a communion service after the Scripture Study. Almost all of us were Third Order, mostly 5 or 6 Carmilites, myself a Franciscan and one Carmilite regular now and then.

 

[Sir_Knight]

I bring communion to the sick & homebound. I do not distribute at mass; and I was instructed to always bring extra communion with me in case someone else present would like to also receive.

Not sure what the difference would be in bringing communion to the woman with the injuried hip and giving communion to the others present and an actually communion service. Wouldn’t the end result be sort of the same?

 

[Joe_Kelley]

Br. Rich SFO:

You would need to ask your pastor for permission to do this. We had a Scripture study many years ago in which Father would participate. After he would go back to the rectory and allowed us to conduct a communion service after the Scripture Study. Almost all of us were Third Order, mostly 5 or 6 Carmilites, myself a Franciscan and one Carmilite regular now and then.

Rule Number 1 - Always check with the pastor. They don’t like surprises.

 

[AltarMan]

Br. Rich SFO:

You would need to ask your pastor for permission to do this. We had a Scripture study many years ago in which Father would participate. After he would go back to the rectory and allowed us to conduct a communion service after the Scripture Study. Almost all of us were Third Order, mostly 5 or 6 Carmilites, myself a Franciscan and one Carmilite regular now and then.

He was too busy to celebrate a Mass?

 

[PLVaughn]

My pastor said NO, one other of the ladies pastor said NO, but the pastor of the ladies who house it is said OK
The local cannon lawyer said since it is not forbiddin in cannon law it is ok

 

[Joe_Kelley]

PLVaughn:

My pastor said NO, one other of the ladies pastor said NO, but the pastor of the ladies who house it is said OK
The local cannon lawyer said since it is not forbiddin in cannon law it is ok

Since canon law permits it, I would go with the pastor in whose parish it would happen. Presumably the hosts will come from his church also.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

AltarMan:

He was too busy to celebrate a Mass?

He was a diabetic and had heart problems which made him very tired and it was usually 9 or 9:30 PM when we finished. I’m sure if we had asked he would have. He would sometimes just sit for hours in the church in front of the taberncale during the day.