Communion twice a day

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BlessedDamian

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Can one receive Holy Communion during Mass, then later receive Communion the same day outside of a Mass?
 
Can one receive Holy Communion during Mass, then later receive Communion the same day outside of a Mass?
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Good morning and welcome.

No, it’s actually the ‘other way round’.

One may receive twice in a day normally, but the second reception must be in the context of a Mass.

IOW, you may receive once in a communion service, then later at a Mass.

That being said there are always rare exceptions.

For example, you may be in danger of death. Then you could receive viaticum anywhere, not just at Mass, for a second. . .or even a third or more, time in a day.

But normally speaking, if you receive twice in one day, the second reception must be in the context of a Mass.

I’m sure somebody who has more time will put the exact section of the canon law that supports this.

God bless!
 
From Canon Law:
Can. 917 A person who has already received the Most Holy Eucharist can receive it a second time on the same day only within the eucharistic celebration in which the person participates, without prejudice to the prescript of ⇒ can. 921, §2.

Can. 921 §1. The Christian faithful who are in danger of death from any cause are to be nourished by holy communion in the form of Viaticum.
§2. Even if they have been nourished by holy communion on the same day, however, those in danger of death are strongly urged to receive communion again.
§3. While the danger of death lasts, it is recommended that holy communion be administered often, but on separate days.
 
Thank you for your responses. The situation that brought about my question is this : I have just trained to be a Eucharistic Visitor and when taking Communion to hospitals/nursing homes, there
are often Host left (as the patient was out of room, asleep, etc.)
and I was told that I was to consume these Hosts even though I had just received at Mass. So, apparently, this practice should be stopped. Right?
Thanks again.
 
Ah. An extraordinary minister of holy communion – God bless your ministry.

I do believe (and somebody will probably once again–thanks Marty!–bring up the relevant passages) that you should bring the unconsumed consecrated hosts back to your priest. I do believe that HE should be the one to consume them if they cannot otherwise be used at a Mass later that day or the next day. The emphasis is that I 'believe" this is proper, not that I ‘know’ this is proper; because one COULD argue that since you are (I presume) taking these hosts directly out from Mass to the sick that you are (to an extent) still presenting them in the context of that FIRST Mass you were at, and that as an EMHC you CAN consume leftover consecrated hosts). This is a very good question and hopefully we will all find out the definitive answer. Again, God bless you in your ministry.
 
Tantum_ergo said:
I do believe (and somebody will probably once again–thanks Marty!–bring up the relevant passages) that you should bring the unconsumed consecrated hosts back to your priest. I do believe that HE should be the one to consume them if they cannot otherwise be used at a Mass later that day or the next day.
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Outside of his duties as celebrant, is the priest any less bound by the limitations on receiving the Eucharist in Canon 917?
 
Normally the Eucharistic Minister tells the Priest before the Mass how many Hosts are required or leaves a note with the pyx, although there may be cases where you only know approximately how many are needed. If there are additional Hosts couldn’t you just find out which Nurses/carers are Catholic and arrange before your visit to distribute any remaining to them? Given their shifts they may be unlikely to make it to Mass so they’re doubtful to have already received.
 
In my diocese, lay hospital ministers are to consume any remaining hosts after their visits to the patients. They are commissioned as an extension of the celebrant’s hands to distribute Holy Communion, either during Mass or to the sick and homebound. However, they aren’t given the keys to the church to return any remaining hosts, nor can they be expected to track down a priest. It’s unrealistic to state that a lay hospital minister will know exactly how many patients will be able to receive the Eucharist on any given day.
 
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