Precepts of the Church During the Pandemic

[walterfiat]

I have always wondered about but foolishly (selfishly?) not paid much attention to the precept “Receive Communion at least once a year, during the Easter season” because it hasn’t affected me. Could you please explain what it means typically and what it might mean for the world this year?

 

[Tis_Bearself]

The Easter Season for purposes of the precept is typically from Easter Vigil Mass through Trinity Sunday Mass, so you have several weeks after Easter, and we might be able to have Mass again by then. However, in US, I understand from previous threads on this that we have an indult so if Catholics in US receive worthily any time from First Sunday of Lent through Trinity Sunday, we’re good. I would think most US Catholics received Communion on the first or second Sunday of Lent before all the shutdowns started happening, so they can check the precept box for this year.

Not sure if other countries have similar indults, but if people reasonably can’t get to Holy Communion due to suspended Masses or coronavirus issues, I’m sure the Pope and bishops will release some kind of a statement on it in due time.
It’s also not a new thing - there have been periods when Catholics in entire countries or regions couldn’t receive Communion for long periods of time which might include the Easter Season because of war, oppressive regimes, or simply that the country was still a mission/ frontier and the priest might only be able to show up twice a year and it might not be Easter Season when he gets there.

Question about Church precepts Liturgy and Sacraments

Easter Season Communion precept requirement is from…Easter Vigil Mass through Trinity Sunday Mass…but U.S. Catholics have an indult–this obligation can be satisfied from First Sunday of Lent through Trinity Sunday. Previous Question Next Question Precepts of the Church Question from Mary Ann Powell on 11/14/2006: In parochial grade school, we learned the precepts of the church along with the ten commandments. They are no longer mentioned. I asked our pastoral minister, and he didn’t know…

 

[TheLittleLady]

The Easter Season lasts until Pentecost, 40 days after Easter. OOPS< thanks Bear, Trinity!

If the distancing is still in place at the end of June, our Easter Duty will simply be dispensed, as is our Sunday obligation now. Precept does not change, however, the Church does not require the impossible.