Three masses two communion quandary?

[newcalling]

So, because of logistics which are too much to explain, I sometimes end up attending Mass three times on a Sunday. However, I know that one is not supposed to receive the Eucharist more than twice a day. What should I do? Today I stayed in my pew and didn’t take the Eucharist at the morning mass so that I could take it with the rest of the choir at the eleven a.m. mass and again with my friend (my transportation into town and best friend who joined the church with me) at the five p.m. mass at another parish. However, I have mixed feelings about skipping it this morning since I have no unconfessed mortal sins. Could I take it a third time if it is in honor of someone who has passed or should I just skip one of the times like I did today? Is there a better solution?

 

[PaulfromIowa]

We should follow the Church’s rules and receive no more than twice in one day.

 

[Catholic1954]

So, because of logistics which are too much to explain, I sometimes end up attending Mass three times on a Sunday. However, I know that one is not supposed to receive the Eucharist more than twice a day. What should I do? Today I stayed in my pew and didn’t take the Eucharist at the morning mass so that I could take it with the rest of the choir at the eleven a.m. mass and again with my friend (my transportation into town and best friend who joined the church with me) at the five p.m. mass at another parish. However, I have mixed feelings about skipping it this morning since I have no unconfessed mortal sins. Could I take it a third time if it is in honor of someone who has passed or should I just skip one of the times like I did today? Is there a better solution?

You should continue skipping communion at the third Mass.

 

[1ke]

What should I do?

Receive at any two masses of your choice.

However, I have mixed feelings about skipping it this morning since I have no unconfessed mortal sins.

Then receive at the first two and not the last.

Could I take it a third time if it is in honor of someone who has passed

No you may not,

or should I just skip one of the times like I did today?

Yes.

Is there a better solution?

I’m not sure why you believe you need a solution when there is no problem.

 

[twf]

The law of the Church is clear. You absolutely may not receive a third time. Never - not for any reason other than being on your death bed. No way around this. It would in fact be sinful for you to knowingly disobey Holy Mother Church on this matter. I don’t mean to be harsh- I am just emphasizing the point because so many people seem to be conditioned to receive at every mass. We are only obliged to receive once a year during the Easter season. There are great graces available to us simply by being present at holy mass with a good disposition. The sacrifice of Christ is made present - unite yourself and your intentions to that sacrifice.

 

[Corki]

So, because of logistics which are too much to explain, I sometimes end up attending Mass three times on a Sunday. However, I know that one is not supposed to receive the Eucharist more than twice a day. What should I do? Today I stayed in my pew and didn’t take the Eucharist at the morning mass so that I could take it with the rest of the choir at the eleven a.m. mass and again with my friend (my transportation into town and best friend who joined the church with me) at the five p.m. mass at another parish. However, I have mixed feelings about skipping it this morning since I have no unconfessed mortal sins. Could I take it a third time if it is in honor of someone who has passed or should I just skip one of the times like I did today? Is there a better solution?

I think you may have some idea that there is an obligation to receive Communion every Sunday. This is not the case. The only time one is obliged to receive Communion is once a year during the Easter season. Receiving more often is encouraged and receiving weekly is a great spiritual practice. You do not need a reason to refrain from receiving Communion.

 

[maryjk]

** An Act of Spiritual Communion**

My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.

I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul.

Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.

 

[ProVobis]

** An Act of Spiritual Communion**

My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.

I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul.

Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.

Exactly.

 

[InThePew]

What Canon Law says is:

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

So in other words, you can only receive it a second time if it’s at a mass you’re attending. the exception to this is viaticum. That said, there is at the same time no obligation to receive it a second time (or for that matter a third time) and just because you can doesn’t mean you should… Probably the best thing to do is to raise it with your parish priest and see what his views are.

 

[newcalling]

I appreciate the (name removed by moderator)ut. Thank you. I am a little unclear on some of the rules. I know that one is only required to go to take Eucharist once a year. I know that one is supposed to attend mass every Sunday, but doesn’t have to take the Eucharist except on Easter. I want to take it every Sunday, and during the week as much as possible if I can get to the weekday masses. I also have read on several Catholic websites about the twice a day restriction. I have no desire to go against church rules. It’s just that on some Sundays I end up at three masses. I guess it’s alright to skip at the first mass so that I can take it at the two later masses? Since I am in the choir at the second one, and with my friend at the third one, those are the ones I would choose. I can swallow my pride and accept the weird looks for skipping it at the first mass. I just thought that there was a rule saying that if you’re in a mass, haven’t received communion yet that day, and don’t have unconfessed mortal sins, then you were obligated to take the Eucharist. I just wanted to be sure that I wasn’t breaking a rule by skipping the first one so that I can take it at the later two.

 

[1ke]

I can swallow my pride and accept the weird looks for skipping it at the first mass.

Focus on getting over the idea that people are giving you “weird looks” at Mass. This is your own self consciousness at work. Nobody cares if you go to communion or not.

I just thought that there was a rule saying that if you’re in a mass, haven’t received communion yet that day, and don’t have unconfessed mortal sins, then you were obligated to take the Eucharist.

No, there is no such church teaching.