Deadline for receiving Eucharist at TLM?

[Immaculata90]

I am wondering if there is a “deadline” or cut-off for arriving at a Latin Mass and still receiving the Eucharist. I mean, ideally we’re all at Mass 15 minutes early to pray and prepare to enter in to Mass, but it happens especially when a lot of us drive a ways to get to the TLM. I know for the NO Mass, it is generally said that if you arrive after the Gospel, you should not receive but is it the same for the TLM? Praise God it hasn’t happened yet, but I do go frequently and it is bound to happen to me at some point. Any help/suggestions would be super appreciated!

Laudate Dominum et Mariae,
Immaculata

 

[Peggy_in_Burien]

When I was a kid, we were told that if we arrived after the Gospel had been read, we were too late and had “missed Mass.”

I now attend a TLM parish here in Seattle. In our misselettes, which are printed by Una Voce of Orange County, California, the instructions are just a little different.

Just after the Credo is recited, we all sit down for the beginning of the Offeratory of the Mass. The altar bell is rung once, and that is the signal. If you come in after that bell is rung at the end of the Credo, you are too late, and have"missed Mass." Of course, one shouldn’t go to Communion if one has “missed Mass.”

As far as this being the mortal sin of “missing Mass,” that is not for me to judge another. It could be that both the First Avenue South drawbridge and the Ballard drawbridge are both open to slow boat traffic, and the Alaskan Way Viaduct is being torn down for replacement–however that excuse could only be used by those of us coming from Burien to Ballard to hear Mass at North American Martyrs Parish! Anyway, if that were the case, and I had “missed Mass,” I would make it up by attending an evening Mass at another parish.

Clear as mud???

 

[Zacdecat]

You must be there before the Canon of the Mass…never good to be late but better late than never. I was taught that the Mass is like an invitation to a banquet by your King…tardiness is incredibly disrespectful except with a very good excuse…which is between you and your Lord.

 

[LilyM]

You must be there before the Canon of the Mass…never good to be late but better late than never. I was taught that the Mass is like an invitation to a banquet by your King…tardiness is incredibly disrespectful except with a very good excuse…which is between you and your Lord.

True, but at the same time many people, such as the housebound or those in hospitals or nursing homes, receive communion from lay ministers without attending Mass at all. So there would appear not to be a rule that one must attend Mass or any part thereof in order to receive. The Sunday obligation, and rules as to how much of Mass one must attend to fulfil it, is a different matter to whether and when one can or cannot receive communion.

 

[JReducation]

I have never seen a formal statement on this matter. However, if we look at what the Church believes about the mass in any form and in any rite, the mass has two essential parts, the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist (Communion Rite is part of this).

Logic would dictate that if you arrive after the proclamation of the scriptures, you missed half of the mass. The rule is that you must attend THE MASS, not just the second half.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[thistle]

I am wondering if there is a “deadline” or cut-off for arriving at a Latin Mass and still receiving the Eucharist. I mean, ideally we’re all at Mass 15 minutes early to pray and prepare to enter in to Mass, but it happens especially when a lot of us drive a ways to get to the TLM. I know for the NO Mass, it is generally said that if you arrive after the Gospel, you should not receive but is it the same for the TLM? Praise God it hasn’t happened yet, but I do go frequently and it is bound to happen to me at some point. Any help/suggestions would be super appreciated!

Laudate Dominum et Mariae,
Immaculata

There is no deadline. Anyone in a state of grace could in fact walk into Church and straight into the Communion line to receive. It makes no difference which Mass it is.

 

[JReducation]

There is no deadline. Anyone in a state of grace could in fact walk into Church and straight into the Communion line to receive. It makes no difference which Mass it is.

The regulations of the Church are clear that Holy Communion should be received during mass. Reception of Holy Communion outside of mass is reserved for special situations. If the person has not been at the mass, it is normally contrary to the rules to receive Holy Communion, not because he or she is not in a state of grace, but because he or she is not attending the mass at which Holy Communion is being distributed. The GIRM is very clear that the reception of Holy Communion at mass is part of the sacrifice that is being celebrated. If you’re not there, then Communion takes on a different meaning.

Can. 918 It is highly recommended that the faithful receive holy communion during the eucharistic celebration itself. It is to be administered outside the Mass, however, to those who request it for a just cause, with the liturgical rites being observed.

If one is just walking in the door, one is not part of the eucharistic celebration.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[thistle]

The regulations of the Church are clear that Holy Communion should be received during mass. Reception of Holy Communion outside of mass is reserved for special situations. If the person has not been at the mass, it is normally contrary to the rules to receive Holy Communion, not because he or she is not in a state of grace, but because he or she is not attending the mass at which Holy Communion is being distributed. The GIRM is very clear that the reception of Holy Communion at mass is part of the sacrifice that is being celebrated. If you’re not there, then Communion takes on a different meaning.

Can. 918 It is highly recommended that the faithful receive holy communion during the eucharistic celebration itself. It is to be administered outside the Mass, however, to those who request it for a just cause, with the liturgical rites being observed.

If one is just walking in the door, one is not part of the eucharistic celebration.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

None of what you have quoted states what constitutes attending Mass. There is no Church document which states at what stage a person is late for Mass. Some people will say after the Gospel or whatever but they cannot come up with anything official from the Church on this subject. Therefore, a person who, for example, was delayed by their car breaking down and arrives at Mass just as Communion is being distributed is perfectly entitled to go directly into the Communion line to receive (assuming they are in a state of grace).

 

[Usige]

None of what you have quoted states what constitutes attending Mass. There is no Church document which states at what stage a person is late for Mass. Some people will say after the Gospel or whatever but they cannot come up with anything official from the Church on this subject. …

Thistle, I believe the reason there is not an “official document” defining “attending mass” is because such a basic concept does not need to be explained. We don’t need documents that outline what it means to stand anymore that a legalistic definition of “attending mass.”

There is but one Mass and it has a clear beginning and end. I make it very clear with my kids that attending mass means butt in pew before the procession and butt still in pew through the recessional. If you are late (and with 5 kids that happens to me more than I like ) there is nothing wrong with staying in the pew and praying. We are only “required” to receive the Lord during Easter, but we are required to attend (i.e. not be physically there, but paying attention) every Sunday. We shouldn’t look at what we are entitled to do, but rather what we ought to do.

My apologies for being frustrated, but when people start look for “legal” definitions of doing X it irks me because it smacks of people looking to see what they can skate by with. It reminds me of when I was teaching confirmation prep and one of the high school juniors came up to me after we had talked about being called to leave chaste lives. The student wanted to know if going to second or third base was still being chaste, because “…after all fornication means going all the way, right?”

 

[JReducation]

Thistle, I believe the reason there is not an “official document” defining “attending mass” is because such a basic concept does not need to be explained. We don’t need documents that outline what it means to stand anymore that a legalistic definition of “attending mass.”

There is but one Mass and it has a clear beginning and end. I make it very clear with my kids that attending mass means butt in pew before the procession and butt still in pew through the recessional. If you are late (and with 5 kids that happens to me more than I like ) there is nothing wrong with staying in the pew and praying. We are only “required” to receive the Lord during Easter, but we are required to attend (i.e. not be physically there, but paying attention) every Sunday. We shouldn’t look at what we are entitled to do, but rather what we ought to do.

My apologies for being frustrated, but when people start look for “legal” definitions of doing X it irks me because it smacks of people looking to see what they can skate by with. It reminds me of when I was teaching confirmation prep and one of the high school juniors came up to me after we had talked about being called to leave chaste lives. The student wanted to know if going to second or third base was still being chaste, because “…after all fornication means going all the way, right?”

You are right and the Church does define the mass as the union of two parts or liturgies: the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist. If you miss the first, you have missed mass. There is not such thing as 1/2 mass. You don’t stay for the next one and catch the part that you missed. This is not how the theology of the mass is written. Some people believe they can do this, becaues they don’t understand the essential unity between the Word and the Eucharist…

The example that Thistle gives can happen. You’re on your way and you have a flat tire. You’re not guilty of missing mass, even though you did. There is no culpability, unless you punctured your own tire.

On the other hand, I know people who simply don’t plan well. They know that they have to do A, B, and C before getting out the door and they know how long it takes them, but they still don’t plan so they can get out the door in time to arrive before mass begins. There is no legitimate reason to encourage such a person to walk in and receive Holy Communion. We’re only enabling their carelessness.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[MissRose73]

I would say if you arrived before the Epistle and Gospel then yes go on & receive, but then again I am new at attending EF Masses but I always arrive early before Mass begins to pray & reflect.

 

[JReducation]

Let’s be careful. The difference between the OF and EF is the form, not the theology of the mass. That is no different. The Universal Church teaches that the mass is commprised of the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist which are inseparable and which together form the entire Eucharistic celebration. Let’s be faithful to the rules that apply to every mass in any form and in any rite. Otherwise, we separating. That’s not the idea.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[Skeptic92]

I am wondering if there is a “deadline” or cut-off for arriving at a Latin Mass and still receiving the Eucharist. I mean, ideally we’re all at Mass 15 minutes early to pray and prepare to enter in to Mass, but it happens especially when a lot of us drive a ways to get to the TLM. I know for the NO Mass, it is generally said that if you arrive after the Gospel, you should not receive but is it the same for the TLM? Praise God it hasn’t happened yet, but I do go frequently and it is bound to happen to me at some point. Any help/suggestions would be super appreciated!

Laudate Dominum et Mariae,
Immaculata

My rule (for myself) is that if I come in and the Celebrant has already risen the Altar Steps (so the preparatory prayers are finished), I wont approach Communion, just as in the OF if I come in after the opening prayer, then I am late and should not receive at that Mass.

This is a personal discipline though, not a hardfast rule of the Church

 

[Will_S]

Can. 918 It is highly recommended that the faithful receive holy communion during the eucharistic celebration itself. It is to be administered outside the Mass, however, to those who request it for a just cause, with the liturgical rites being observed.

If one is just walking in the door, one is not part of the eucharistic celebration.

The canon you quoted, Brother JR, doesn’t say anything at all about being a part of the eucharistic celebration. It only says during the eucharistic celebration. If I walk in the door right as communion begins, and receive holy communion, that is reception during the eucharistic celebration.

The second part of the canon is also interesting. “It is to be administered outside the Mass, however, to those who request it for a just cause”. That suggests that if one is unavoidably late to Mass, perhaps arriving just at the dismissal, and there are no further Masses scheduled for that day, that a request for holy communion should not be denied.

 

[Will_S]

My rule (for myself) is that if I come in and the Celebrant has already risen the Altar Steps (so the preparatory prayers are finished), I wont approach Communion, just as in the OF if I come in after the opening prayer, then I am late and should not receive at that Mass.

This is a personal discipline though, not a hardfast rule of the Church

Not only is it not a hardfast rule, it isn’t a rule at all.

Of course you are free to do as you like, but the idea that being late for Mass makes one ineligible for holy communion seems odd to me, especially if one is late through no fault of one’s own.

 

[Skeptic92]

Not only is it not a hardfast rule, it isn’t a rule at all.

Of course you are free to do as you like, but the idea that being late for Mass makes one ineligible for holy communion seems odd to me, especially if one is late through no fault of one’s own.

I would say it depends how late one is, if you have missed the whole of the Liturgy of the Word, you should not receive at all, my own discipline is to help me to make the effort to get in before Mass and spiritually prepare myself for the Mass (If I am serving, I make it atleast half hour before the Mass, to say a collection of the Psalms and prayers before Mass, to thank God for the privilege of serving him at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, then to go and put on my Cassock and Cotta, prepare the Altar, and then pray for the forgiveness of my iniquities and sins so that I may be worthy.

 

[JReducation]

The canon you quoted, Brother JR, doesn’t say anything at all about being a part of the eucharistic celebration. It only says during the eucharistic celebration. If I walk in the door right as communion begins, and receive holy communion, that is reception during the eucharistic celebration.

The second part of the canon is also interesting. “It is to be administered outside the Mass, however, to those who request it for a just cause”. That suggests that if one is unavoidably late to Mass, perhaps arriving just at the dismissal, and there are no further Masses scheduled for that day, that a request for holy communion should not be denied.

I was using the canon to explain how the reception outside of mass should not be without just cause. As to what consititutes the mass, that’s not in Canon Law, that’s in liturgical law.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[jmcrae]

There is no deadline. Anyone in a state of grace could in fact walk into Church and straight into the Communion line to receive. It makes no difference which Mass it is.

While this is true, it is separate from the issue of whether one has been present at Sunday Mass.

In order to have “been present” and thus fulfilled one’s Sunday obligation, one must have heard at least some part of the Liturgy of the Word (the Gospel is the last reading) and one must have been present for the whole Liturgy of the Eucharist, until the closing Sign of the Cross. Of course the ideal is to be present from the opening Sign of the Cross until the closing Sign of the Cross, with prayers before and after.

 

[Paxvobis]

I forgot where I’ve heard this, but I’ve heard this more than once:

One commits a venial sin if they, through their own fault, miss any part of the Liturgy of the Word.

One commits a mortal sin if they, through their own fault and with full knowledge and complete consent, miss any part of the Liturgy of the Eucharist.

Therefore, one can receive Holy Communion at Mass if they were present before the chalice was unveiled. This is the same at any Mass - OF or EF. After all, they’re only different forms of the same Rite.

 

[At_Trent]

The Noon Mass I attend on weekdays is near the downtown area. There are not many, but a few people get to Mass late. Probably due to their lunch break schedule.

The priests there are not liberal at all, and those arriving late receive on a regular basis. As scrupulous as I intend to be, I’ve never given it a second thought and obviously neither do the priests at that parish.

So it is apparent that one can receive the Blessed Sacrament when getting there late, no matter how late. Whether one can say they assisted Mass or not has nothing to do with it.