How Many Times can I go to Communion? Differing Answers

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Antonius_Lupus

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Pax Christi fratres,

I was wondering about something that is causing me some annoyance.

I am a revert to the Faith, having been fully Initiated by Confirmation and first (legit) Holy Communion April 22, 2008.

Thus I am still learning my faith.

On Sunday, it being Father’s Day, I desire greatly to go to Divine Liturgy at a (somewhat local) Melkite Greek Catholic Church. The priests and deacons there have been most helpful to me in my journey and I love them dearly. While I am very proud of my own Roman Rite, I have longed to partake of the Eucharist according to the Byzantine Catholic manner. I also wish to share with them the joyous news of my full Initiation into Catholic Orthodoxy. Thus, I plan to attend Divine Liturgy on Sunday morning.

However, at my home parish, there is a Deacon there who I consider to be my spiritual father. He has journeyed with me closely during the long journey home to the Church and I greatly desire to get him a Father’s Day card in gratitude for his support. He is performing his diaconate duties at a later Sunday afternoon Mass, and I was hoping to go to that Mass and afterwords giving him my card.

The problem is that I am not sure whether I should partake of communion a second time at the later Mass (my home parish to boot!).

My pastor told me that we can receive communion twice a day, but ONLY if we attend the full Mass the second reception AND if we have a good reason to receive again (not just a repeat).

However Canon Law, as far as I can see, doesn’t say that…it simply says that we can receive twice provided that we participate fully in the Mass of the second reception.

I am not sure what to do.

I would like to think that my desire to give my spiritual father a card, and the fact that I am going (extraordinarily) to Divine Liturgy on Sunday morning; coupled with the fact that I want to receive Communion in my own home parish on the Lord’s Day, would be a “good reason” to receive twice…but I am not sure.

I had to go through so many Masses without receiving Communion during my journey home that I can’t see going to Mass and not taking Communion when I am in the proper disposition.

Thanks in advance!

-Antonius Joannes
 
You can receive twice on the same day as long as the second time is at Mass.

I don’t think there is any definition of “a good reason.” If you consider your reasons to be good, then go ahead and do it.

I know people who consider the fact that they are bored on Sunday afternoons and come to Mass a second time instead of watching television to be a “good reason,” and so far, I have never heard anyone try to argue with them. I think your reason is at least as good as that, anyway. 🤷
 
You would not want to receive Communion a second time if you believe that by receiving again you are somehow more holy. In the past many were receiving three or four times per day thinking this.
 
buffalo said:
You would not want to receive Communion a second time if you believe that by receiving again you are somehow more holy.
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May it never be that I would think that! :eek:

It is just that I am trying to find a way to go to Mass and receive Communion.

I have had my fill of going to Mass and not receiving communion during my journey back home…
 
Antonius_Lupus said:
May it never be that I would think that! :eek:

It is just that I am trying to find a way to go to Mass and receive Communion.

I have had my fill of going to Mass and not receiving communion during my journey back home…
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You can receive twice in one day.
 
From the Code of 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.
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Canon 921 §2 says you should receive the Eucharist again if you are in danger of death (thus you could receive a second time outside of Mass if you are in danger of death).

So feel free to go to both Masses. 🙂
 
Antonius_Lupus said:
But what about what my priest said about having a “good reason” and not just as a “repeat.” :confused:
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Canon 917 doesn’t say anything about needing a “good reason”. Even so, going to Mass to support your deacon friend would suffice as a “good reason”, I would think.
 
Antonius_Lupus said:
But what about what my priest said about having a “good reason” and not just as a “repeat.” :confused:
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I think the old canon law may have required good reason or unusual circumstance or something similar. unusual circumstance. :D] That went away with the new canon law.
 
Antonius_Lupus said:
But what about what my priest said about having a “good reason” and not just as a “repeat.” :confused:
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That requirement, as others have said and as I can only confirm, goes beyond the law.

You might also consider canons 213, 843 §1 and 912 that would speak to the right to the sacrament.
 
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