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jcunningham352
Guest
Where did the rule come from of not receiving the Eucharist more than twice in one day?
Why is it twice and not once?
Why is it twice and not once?
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R_C
Guest
It was found in 1917 Code of Canon Law.Where did the rule come from of not receiving the Eucharist more than twice in one day?
Why is it twice and not once?
If a Catholic has already received the Sacrament of Holy Communion during the day and he is facing the danger of death, during the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick (Last Rites), he can once more receive the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist on the same day.“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 Law # 917)
Some good reasons you may receive Holy Communion twice:
- You attend a regular daily Holy Mass and a funeral during which there is a Eucharistic celebration.
- You attend a regular daily Holy Mass and a wedding during which there is a Eucharistic celebration.
- You attend a regular daily Holy Mass and receive the Last Rites and Viaticum.
- You attend a regular daily Holy Mass and a Vigil Holy Mass on the same day.
The Canon Law Letter & Spirit commentary on Canon 917 explains:
The 1917 Code allowed the reception of Holy Communion a second time on the same day only in danger of death or in order to avoid irreverence to the blessed Eucharist.
Between the end of Vatican II and the Code this regulation was relaxed.
After the promulgation of the Code there was some debate as to whether the word again meant twice only or as often as a person attended Mass.
A reply from the Code Commission in 1984 made it clear that it means twice only.
(source)Consequently the present law is that a person may receive Holy Communion a second time on the same day, but only on the occasion of participating in a Mass—unless of course there is danger of death.
So one should usually not plan on receiving Communion twice a day - in fact, some saints recommend daily reception but subject to spiritual direction.
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mapmgr
Guest
I’m not sure why it is limited, but twice is allowed if you are an active participant in the masses, ie, attend the entire services. Priests at least need this so they can celebrate two masses a day, three masses with dispensation. For example, our priest celebrates two masses at our parish and the third at another.
[Ah, I see R_C provided a better answer.]
– Glenn
[Ah, I see R_C provided a better answer.]
– Glenn
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R_C
Guest
Originally, I meant. It is still part of Canon Law.It was found in 1917 Code of Canon Law.
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Urn
Guest
One can receive more than twice in a day if they are in danger of dying…Where did the rule come from of not receiving the Eucharist more than twice in one day?
Why is it twice and not once?
I suspect the twice/day rule has a practical origin. Imagine the number who would spend their Sundays going to a half dozen Masses feeling that receiving a half dozen times was better than once or twice?
I receive twice every Sunday. Once at the Mass and once at the Eastern Divine Liturgy because both sacrificial liturgies play key components in my spiritual life.
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Brendan_64
Guest
My understanding is that you can only receive Communion twice on the same day if a person is in danger of death, or if a person is participating in a Mass. My wife was ended up being EMHC at two masses on the same day once (she was rotad to do it in the morning, and then in the evening Mass someone didn’t turn up and she was asked to do it). She queried with the priest and he confirmed that as he was participating as an EMHC then twice was permitted.
My understanding that, outside of certain exceptions, we are not permitted to receive Communion twice in one day. I’m pretty sure it is not permitted to receive twice in the same day for the reasons of devotion or personal spirituality.
My understanding that, outside of certain exceptions, we are not permitted to receive Communion twice in one day. I’m pretty sure it is not permitted to receive twice in the same day for the reasons of devotion or personal spirituality.
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Phemie
Guest
I think you mean the 1983 Code of Canon Law.It was found in 1917 Code of Canon Law.
The 1917 Code only allowed Communion once per day unless someone needed Viaticum. The rule was gradually relaxed between Vatican II and the present Code.
The 1983 Code allows for twice a day as long as the second time is at a Mass one is attending. It allows a third time as Viaticum.
Or did you mean article 917 of the Code?
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Bergon
Guest
Normally, you can receive the Eucharist twice in the same day.
On the first occasion you can receive the Eucharist in any way permitted by the Church including outside Mass.
The second time must be during Mass in which the communicant actively participates.
There is one situation when the Eucharist could be taken a third time: in receiving it as Viaticum. Of course, the first and second time earlier on the same day must not have been Viaticum.
References to canon law should be to the 1983 Code. The former 1917 Code is repealed.
On the first occasion you can receive the Eucharist in any way permitted by the Church including outside Mass.
The second time must be during Mass in which the communicant actively participates.
There is one situation when the Eucharist could be taken a third time: in receiving it as Viaticum. Of course, the first and second time earlier on the same day must not have been Viaticum.
References to canon law should be to the 1983 Code. The former 1917 Code is repealed.
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Mary_Margaret_1
Guest
My priest told me it was okay to take communion three times on one day. Is this incorrect?
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jcunningham352
Guest
The question still remains: Do you know why the rule is twice a day and why it is not limited to just once a day?
Is it to allow for EMHCs/priests who partake in Mass/celebrate Mass twice a day?
Is it to allow for EMHCs/priests who partake in Mass/celebrate Mass twice a day?
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Phemie
Guest
The original relaxation of the rule was to allow people to receive if they went to a special Mass (wedding, funeral, etc.) after having already received at Mass that day. It gradually was relaxed to allow receiving a second time at any Mass one attends, regardless of whether it’s a special occasion or not.The question still remains: Do you know why the rule is twice a day and why it is not limited to just once a day?
Is it to allow for EMHCs/priests who partake in Mass/celebrate Mass twice a day?
The original restriction to once a day, and now to twice a day is to keep people from going from Mass to Mass to receive multiple times to the point where it becomes more superstition than reverent reception of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
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Lancer
Guest
No…you do not have to have any extraordinary/special circumstances to receive twice in one day. If you are in a state of grace (conscience is clear of grave sin) and the fasting requirements are met…you can receive twice. The only stipulation is that the second time must be during a Celebration of Holy Mass. e.g., say the priests are on retreat and a Deacon celebrates a Communion Service in place of normal 7 AM Mass…then a priest returns from retreat in time celebrate the 5 PM Mass…you can receive at both the Communion Service and at the Mass.My understanding is that you can only receive Communion twice on the same day if a person is in danger of death, or if a person is participating in a Mass. My wife was ended up being EMHC at two masses on the same day once (she was rotad to do it in the morning, and then in the evening Mass someone didn’t turn up and she was asked to do it). She queried with the priest and he confirmed that as he was participating as an EMHC then twice was permitted.
My understanding that, outside of certain exceptions, we are not permitted to receive Communion twice in one day. I’m pretty sure it is not permitted to receive twice in the same day for the reasons of devotion or personal spirituality.
A third time is only permissible in the Anointing of Sick Last Rites as Viaticum. e,g, say you are in hospital and EMHC comes by at 10 AM and you receive in your room…then feeling well enough you get to the Chapel for the afternoon Mass at 5 PM…then that evening you take a turn for the worse and need a life-saving emergency surgery …a priest could be called to give you Viaticum before the surgery.
Bottom line: Receiving twice a day is your call…your right as a Catholic.
Pax Christi
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Just_Lurking
Guest
The commission that drafted the initial version of the 1983 code explained that the reason for the change was to enhance the symbolism of the Mass as a communal meal.
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Bergon
Guest
If that’s what he said without any qualification then he made an error. You can receive once in anyway the Church permits. You can receive a second time and that can either be during a Mass in which you actively participate or as Viaticum. However, if your first time was as Viaticum the second time can only be in a Mass in which you actively participate.My priest told me it was okay to take communion three times on one day. Is this incorrect?
A third time is possible but only in the most limited of circumstances. It can only be as Viaticum and then only if your first or second time was not as Viaticum.
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Mary_Margaret_1
Guest
Oh! Well I will bring this up with him. Thanks.If that’s what he said without any qualification then he made an error. You can receive once in anyway the Church permits. You can receive a second time and that can either be during a Mass in which you actively participate or as Viaticum. However, if your first time was as Viaticum the second time can only be in a Mass in which you actively participate.
A third time is possible but only in the most limited of circumstances. It can only be as Viaticum and then only if your first or second time was not as Viaticum.
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Bergon
Guest
You’re welcome. Please remember we are all capable of making mistakes. I know I’ve made silly errors in my own discipline.Oh! Well I will bring this up with him. Thanks.
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malphono
Guest
It seems to me that this question has popped up time and time gain. Rather than repeat myself, I’ll simply make a reference to a previous discussion:
jmcrae;7103366:
go to a wedding or a funeral, etc.By my best understanding, the twice-a-day rule is in place to accommodate people who attend a regular daily Mass every day, on the days when they also
The second time is not generally supposed to be the exact same Mass as the first time, but if there is a special reason (someone is getting married, someone is being buried, a relative is receiving a Sacrament such as First Holy Communion, Confirmation, or Holy Orders, they can still participate in Holy Communion at their relative’s special Mass, as well as the regular daily Mass that they attend.
We all have plenty of daily tasks that we must attend to, and although it’s a very good thing to be a daily communicant, being a twice-daily communicant has the potential to interfere with one’s duties to one’s employer and family - one must keep a proper balance in life.
Interesting that you bring that up. During one of the other recent threads that veered into the multiple-communion issue, I posed the question to a priest friend of mine who is a very well respected Canon Lawyer. His answer was exactly what you say: the intent of canon 917 is that, under normal circumstances, a person should not receive more than once on a given day. The built-in exception is meant to accommodate weddings, funerals, memorial Masses, etc.
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ProVobis
Guest
Never thought of it that way but it seems to be true.The original restriction to once a day, and now to twice a day is to keep people from going from Mass to Mass to receive multiple times to the point where it becomes more superstition than reverent reception of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
It is important to note, however, that one may go to Mass as often as he or she wishes.
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Brendan_64
Guest
So you can go to two Masses in one day, and not be an EMHC, or have any special circumstances, just be an ordinary man in the pews, and you can receive Communion twice in one day? I never new that.Bottom line: Receiving twice a day is your call…your right as a Catholic.
Pax Christi
If that is true then I have learned something new.
Are there any posters on here, who are priests, who that can confirm that?
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Brendan_64
Guest
That is true, but the trouble is that many people seem to view receiving Communion as part of the ‘ritual’ of attending Mass.It is important to note, however, that one may go to Mass as often as he or she wishes.
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