Does a Communion service count as a Mass when receiving twice in a day?

[pianoplayingmom]

On Wednesdays a couple times a month, I play the piano for Mass at a convent and then I play for a Communion service at a nursing home. Once a month, a priest comes to say Mass at the nursing home. I know, on that day, I am allowed to receive Communion at both Masses. What I am unclear about is whether I can receive Communion at the Communion service if I’ve already received at a Mass. I think I read that the second time has to be within a Mass, too. However, the priest I asked told me I could receive at Mass and at the later Communion service. Thanks for your help on this.

 

[Michelle_Arnold]

The 1983 Code of Canon Law says this:

One who has received the blessed Eucharist may receive it again on the same day only within a eucharistic celebration in which that person participates, without prejudice to the provision of can. 921 §2 (canon 917).

Christ’s faithful who are in danger of death, from whatever cause, are to be strengthened by holy Communion as viaticum (canon 921 §2).
The key phrase here is eucharistic celebration: Does this refer to a Mass or to any worship service at which Communion is distributed, such as a Communion service?

This canon should be read in context to Immensae Caritatis, the 1973 Instruction of the Sacred Congregation of the Sacraments (i.e., the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments), in which all references to the second reception of the Eucharist – aside from viaticum – are envisioned ordinarily to take place within a Mass. Given this, a Communion service doesn’t count as a eucharistic celebration at which a second reception of Communion may be made. If you participate in a Communion service on the same day you have already received Communion, then you should not receive Communion at that service.

Recommended reading:

Immensae Caritatis by the Sacred Congregation of the Sacraments