Should I have abstained from Eucharist?

[OrbisNonSufficit]

So, today I got into confusing situation. I will try to explain it.

Yesterday (Satuday) I went to the Mass- not just to fullfill Sunday obligation but I believe I still did. I received Eucharist.

Today, (Sunday), I came to Liturgy (Eastern Rite) late- I mistook time when it should have started and missed begining by three minutes. I took my seat and waited. When it came time to receive Communion, I received it (having fullfilled Sunday obligation beforehand). Now problem is, we are supposed to receive Eucharist on Sundays only during whole Liturgy/Mass (from what I have heard) unlike other weekdays where we can receive first Eucharist per day without being present on full Liturgy/Mass. I can receive only twice per day and second one should only be on presence during whole Liturgy/Mass. Should I have abstained from Eucharist?

If however, receiving Eucharist at Saturday Evening Mass counted towards my 2-Eucharist-per-day limit, I should also say that I plan on going to a Mass (Latin rite this time) today (in 2 hours) and receive Eucharist second time. Is it permissible?

Now, I know I am in benefit of doubt therefore I probably have not willingly sinned, or I hope so as I am not sure how to find answer to this confusing situation, but for the future, what should I have done / should I do?

 

[Tis_Bearself]

I can’t answer the Eastern question.
For the Latin question, 2 Eucharist per day to me means “per calendar day” so a Eucharist on Saturday doesn’t count as one of the 2 for Sunday, even if you attended a vigil Mass for Sunday.

You can receive a second time on Sunday under Latin rules as long as the second time is at a Mass at which you prayerfully participate, which is generally understood as you being there and participating for substantially the whole Mass.

 

[OrbisNonSufficit]

Whether it is Eastern Eucharist or Latin Eucharist does not matter, It is regarded as Eucharist by Canon Law I believe. I am Latin Catholic therefore Latin Canon Law applies to me wherever I am and whichever liturgy I attend. Thank you for answering my second question and making me sure I can receive Our Lord at following Mass

 

[Diaconia]

No, you did nothing wrong, and should not have abstained from receiving the Holy Gifts for the Holy.

Canonically time is measured midnight to midnight. You can receive twice in a [canonical] day if the second time was at a Mass / Divine Liturgy.

Liturgically, some days (Solemnities and Sundays) include the previous evening for satisfying an obligation to attend. That is why an anticipated Mass on Saturday uses the readings from Sunday, and why it fulfills your obligation.

To make the point simple and clear: You can receive twice in a calendar day as long as the second is at Mass or Divine Liturgy.

Eastern Christians (Orthodox and Catholic) are not concerned that you arrived three minutes late. No big deal, people arrive much later than that regularly.

Unless the day is a very important Solemnity, the celebrations of Mass and Divine Liturgy on the same Sunday are typically different celebrations, and have different Scripture readings, by the way.

Thanks for breathing from both lungs, as Pope St. JPII said,
Deacon Christopher

 

[OrbisNonSufficit]

Thank you Deacon Christopher. I am very happy that I haven’t done anything wrong. I felt the urge to receive Communion at that time and felt happy doing so, but just wanted to make sure I did not sin by receiving Holy Eucharist on Sunday without attending full Liturgy- I understand that people are not concerned that I arrived three minutes late, but I feel like if I arrived after Liturgy began I would not satisfy my Sunday obligation (if I hadn’t been to Mass day before, of course).

On a side note, I try to live through both Eastern and Western Rites as I find it that fullness and Catholicity of the Church are very present in both and it makes me feel unity of the Church. I’ve noticed that there are different Scripture readings on Mass and Divine Liturgy but I do not view that as a big concern. As a side question, would different sui iuris Churches of same Rite (say, Byzantine for example) have same or different readings?

 

[Gorgias]

just wanted to make sure I did not sin by receiving Holy Eucharist on Sunday without attending full Liturgy

Right, but keep in mind, you didn’t receive “twice in one day” – you received once on Saturday and once on Sunday. So, it doesn’t rise to the question of the rule about receiving more than once a day.

 

[Diaconia]

Eastern Catholic Churches typically use the same calendar as their Orthodox counterparts.

There are a few feast days that are celebrated in both East and West, but they are just for very important days. One example would be the beheading of the Forerunner on August 29.

 

[Cor_ad_Cor]

Now problem is, we are supposed to receive Eucharist on Sundays only during whole Liturgy/Mass (from what I have heard) unlike other weekdays where we can receive first Eucharist per day without being present on full Liturgy/Mass.

There is no difference between Sunday and weekdays in this regard. You have an obligation to attend Mass on Sundays/Holy Days. You have a law that states the Eucharist may be received twice in a day if the second is at Mass. There is no other distinction.

 

[semper_catholicus]

Yeah, the “2 communions per day” means two calendar days.

I’ve actually been in this situation myself, receiving the Eucharist twice in one day in two rites. The Eastern Law is silent on the matter of how many times one may receive per day as far as I remember.

 

[HeDa]

If your intention was to be on time and you arrived late due to the bus being late or something out of your control then there is nothing to worry about.

 

[OrbisNonSufficit]

I arrived late because I missremember the time when Liturgy starts- I’ve been to many Churches in this city since I started studying and it gets little confusing sometimes. I wouldn’t say it was my intention to be late, but at the same time I could have prevented it if I were a bit more cautious and checked it in the morning.