A reader writes:
I am currently involved in a group studying ECCLESIA DE EUCHARISTIA. Two questions came up last night.
1) Can you go to two masses on the same day and receive communion at both?
I realize that you can receive two times as long as the second one is a mass, (the first could be a communion service..etc). But one of the participants really insisted that it couldn’t be two masses for the same day (like a 9:00 and an 11:00) service on Sunday.
Your friend is incorrect on this point. First, here is what the Code says as a general matter about receiving Communion:
Can. 912 Any baptized person not prohibited by law
can and must be admitted to holy communion.
This means that unless there is a specific prohibition in the law that would prevent a person from receiving at two Masses then the person is allowed to receive at two Masses.
Now, there are only two canons that deal with how often a layperson can receive Communion in a single day. One of them deals with Viaticum in case of death. Here’s the other:
Can. 917 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, without prejudice
to the prescript of can. 921, §2.
Canon 921, §2 deals with Viaticum, so it doesn’t apply to the situation you are asking about.
As you can see, this canon says that a person can receive Communion "a second time on the same day only within
the eucharistic celebration in which the person participates." This specifies the circumstances that must apply to the second time a person receives Communion but says nothing about the circumstances of the first time. Since there are no requirements in the law dealing with the first time one receives Communion, canon 912 applies, and so one can receive Communion at Mass both the first time one receives it in a day and the second time. In fact, it is required that one receive it at Mass the second time (per canon 917). Whether it is at a Mass or a Communion service the first time is a matter the law allows liberty on.
One thus could go to a 9 a.m. Mass and receive Communion and then go to an 11 a.m. Mass and receive again. What the law prohibits is going to more Masses than this per day and receiving Communion at each of them.
The reader continues:
2) How many masses can a priest say a day? I believe that He is encouraged to say at least one mass a day but what is the upper limit.
Here’s the regs on that:
Can. 905 §1. A priest is not permitted to
celebrate the Eucharist more than once a day except in cases where the law
permits him to celebrate or concelebrate more than once on the same day.§2. If there is a shortage of priests, the local
ordinary can allow priests to celebrate twice a day for a just cause, or if
pastoral necessity requires it, even three times on Sundays and holy days of
obligation.
The typical cap is thus once per day unless the bishop allows him to say two or three Masses for pastoral reasons (three being allowed on Sundays and holy days). These latter practices are known as "binating" and "trinating," respectively.
(NOTE: The green CLSA commentary on the Code notes that there are particular circumstances in which additional Masses could be said, but that’s the general rule. There are also certain liturgical days in which multiple Masses are allowed by the law itself and so per §1 the permission of the bishop would not be needed to cover those days.)
So what happens when priests are saying five or more Masses a day?
Apart from very unusual circumstances, this should not be happening. Do you know of cases where it is?
Interesting. Anyone know if the vigil Mass count as a Mass for Sunday?
Interesting. Anyone know if the vigil Mass count as a Mass for Sunday?
It doesn’t. So a priest could actually say five Masses of Sunday obligation: two on Saturday evening and three on the following Sunday.
The two days on which all priests are permitted to celebrate three times per day are Christmas and All Souls’. In fact this is not only permitted but also (at least until recently) encouraged.
I think Pope St. Leo IX was known to celebrate Mass as many as nine times per day.
I remember reading that the priests at Lourdes generally celebrate four Masses per day to accommodate all the pilgrims.
Is there a reason for the limit on priests celebrating? I think at my home parish (I’m at college) the limit is three, but other than simply time constraints or tiredness I couldn’t really think of why there would be a limit in the first place. In hopes of ensuring a proper state of mind? Not crowding the market?
“I think Pope St. Leo IX was known to celebrate Mass as many as nine times per day.”
Well, since he was the legislator, I would assume he would have the authority to dispense from universal laws in particular circumstances. Thus, his practice can’t be taken as indicative of what was permitted to priests generally.
Well, since he was the legislator, I would assume he would have the authority to dispense from universal laws in particular circumstances. Thus, his practice can’t be taken as indicative of what was permitted to priests generally.
I wasn’t criticizing, only mentioning it as an interesting case. There was no universal law at the time forbidding a priest to celebrate more than once per day.
Personally, I think the limitation on Masses per day is quite wise since a priest celebrating more than 1-2 times per day might be tempted to rush a little bit to get through his later Masses. And that is not a Good Thing ™.
I have been instructed that I may receive the blessed sacrament twice, but no more than twice, per day, as long as those present are not the exact same people; no more and no less.
As long as you are with two different “congregations”, then twice per day is permitted.
This is inaccurate, timmy. The people you are with has no bearing on whether you may receive Communion, at least as far as the law is concerned.
Apart from very unusual circumstances, this should not be happening. Do you know of cases where it is?
My parish. Last Sunday we had one priest give six Masses.
“In fact, it is required that one receive it at Mass the second time (per canon 917). Whether it is at a Mass or a Communion service the first time is a matter the law allows liberty on.”
What is strange about the law is that it allows this situation:
a) Receive Communion outside of Mass and then later on in the day receive Communion at a Mass
but it does not allow this situation:
b) Receive Communion at a Mass and then later on in the day receive Communion outside of Mass
I don’t see the reason why one should be permitted but not the other. I don’t doubt your interpretation of the law. I just don’t see the law’s wisdom on this particular point.
I have been having this debate with a friend… I quote Canon 917 and he quotes the Catechism 1417. “The Church warmly reccomends that the faithful receive Holy Communion each time they participate in the celebration of the Eucharist…” He says that the two sources contradict themselves. One says only twice the other says every time. Thoughts?
I was wondering in response to this statement in the first post : “What the law prohibits is going to more Masses than this per day and receiving Communion at each of them.” – if there is any prohibition on how many Masses one can attend (without receving Communion). I understand well the law regarding the second Communion being at a Mass, but this statement also seems to be saying you cannot go to more than 2 Masses per day. Is that true? Because sometimes when I have time I like to hear several Masses a day to pray at them, especially during the Consecration for loved ones, etc. Is this okay, or should I limit it to hearing, at most, 2 Masses per day?
Thy Kingdom Come!
I see no reason one couldn’t attend more than two masses a day, if one doesn’t receive communion. In my experience, for most people it would be difficult to participate well in Mass so many times, and it might be better to engage in other acts of devotion such as the Rosary. But if one has the time and is able to devoutly participate in multiple Masses without it becoming mechanical, it could be a good thing.
TKC
Does anyone have specifics on when priests can say more Masses? The Code seems to limit weekday Masses to 2 per priest, with 3 only on Sundays and holy days. However, I have seen both of these exceeded at times. Obviously, this isn’t a matter of natural and divine law; I just wonder what sort of permission or pastoral necessity is required for a priest to licitly say 3 weekday masses.