What does "participate" mean

[constantconvert]

The Code of Canon Law states that “One who has received the blessed Eucharist may receive it again on the same day only within a eucharistic celebration [Mass] in which that person participates, without prejudice to the provision of canon 921 §2” (CIC 917)

I assume participate means that you have a role in the mass, like you’re a sacristan, choir member, EMHC, etc… But as parishioners we do participate in the mass, so I’m just looking for some clarification here.

For simplicity sake let’s say both opportunities to receive are at a Mass.

In order to receive communion twice, one must participate as something other than just a communicant in one of the masses, right?

 

[SMHW]

Participate means to attend Mass with the intention of attending Mass. You do not have to fill any special liturgical role.

This would mean that a tourist, having previously received communion, could not walk into a Church to see the artwork at the time communion was being served and receive communion a second time. Likewise the janitor who received communion in the morning and steps into the church at communion time to put paper towels in the sacristy could not receive.

 

[Boulder257]

Participate means to attend Mass with the intention of attending Mass. You do not have to fill any special liturgical role.

Yep, we participate in our attendance…or at least we should! lol

 

[YoungTradCath]

It means to be present inside a church nave during the time a Mass is going on and to have the intention of attending Mass.

So, for example, you can’t be present in the church when a Mass is going on but only have the intention of staring at the artwork on the back wall, writing a review for a magazine, and then decide randomly to receive Communion when it is time for that.

The criteria for “participation” at a Mass in this sense are quite low. You need have no real role or do anything at all really, but you do at least have to have the intention of attending Mass.

 

[constantconvert]

Thanks everyone!

 

[MarkThompson]

The other important thing this requirement excludes is just popping in for Communion. You can, contrary to some popular opinion, do that if it is your first reception of the day – provided that you are properly disposed, there is nothing wrong with stopping by to take Communion even if you were not present for the rest of the Mass. But this is not allowable if it is your second reception of the day.

 

[SwizzleStick]

The Code of Canon Law states that “One who has received the blessed Eucharist may receive it again on the same day only within a eucharistic celebration [Mass] in which that person participates, without prejudice to the provision of canon 921 §2” (CIC 917)

I assume participate means that you have a role in the mass, like you’re a sacristan, choir member, EMHC, etc… But as parishioners we do participate in the mass, so I’m just looking for some clarification here.

For simplicity sake let’s say both opportunities to receive are at a Mass.

In order to receive communion twice, one must participate as something other than just a communicant in one of the masses, right?

To participate simply means to assist at Mass, to attend Mass. To receive twice in one day, the second reception must occur during attendance at a full Mass.

 

[bmadamsberry]

The Code of Canon Law states that “One who has received the blessed Eucharist may receive it again on the same day only within a eucharistic celebration [Mass] in which that person participates, without prejudice to the provision of canon 921 §2” (CIC 917)

I assume participate means that you have a role in the mass, like you’re a sacristan, choir member, EMHC, etc… But as parishioners we do participate in the mass, so I’m just looking for some clarification here.

For simplicity sake let’s say both opportunities to receive are at a Mass.

In order to receive communion twice, one must participate as something other than just a communicant in one of the masses, right?

What everyone has said is correct, but I wanted to expand a little on it.

Some of the reforms instituted by such Councils as Trent, attempted to urge the lay faithful to participate in Mass. While some might not think sitting and praying in the pew during Mass constitutes participation, compared with the old practices it certainly is.

These older practices were that the church building was somewhat chaotic during Mass. While Mass was being celebrated, many other things were going on. For example, Confessions, Baptisms, candle lighting, etc. The Council of Trent, among others, attempted to rectify this, and the vestiges of such attempts at reforms are still with us today

 

[ProVobis]

participation

late 14c., from O.Fr. participation (13c.), from L.L. participationem (nom. participatio), noun of action from pp. stem of L. participare “participate,” from particeps (gen. participis) “partaker,” from pars (gen. partis) “part” (see part (n.)) + -cip-, weak form of stem of capere “to take” (see capable). Participatory is attested from 1881; participatory democracy is from 1968.