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Dear Catholic Exchange:
I would like to attend a Traditional Latin Mass. (I’ve never been to one.) The only one I know of near me, however, is a Pius X (or V?) parish. Am I allowed to receive the Eucharist there if I attended Mass? I have been told I cannot because they are not in union with Rome. If I cannot, why can’t I? I understand I could receive in an Orthodox parish, and they are not in communion with Rome.
Thanks,
Tracy
Dear Tracy,
Peace in Christ! Before addressing the issue of the Societies of Pius X and V, one clarification on receiving Holy Communion at an Orthodox parish is in order. Though we are very close to the Orthodox and more has been done in the past generation than in the past one thousand years to heal the separation between East and West, a Catholic may not simply walk into an Orthodox parish and receive the Eucharist. There are times when communicatio in sacris (sharing in sacred things) is possible, especially when the good and salvation of souls is the issue, but there are conditions that must be met, especially for the Catholic. The Code of Canon Law, canon 844 §2, prescribes:
Whenever necessity requires it or true spiritual advantage suggests it, and provided that the danger of error or of indifferentism is avoided, the Christian faithful for whom it is physically or morally impossible to approach a Catholic minister are permitted to receive the sacraments of penance, Eucharist, and anointing of the sick from non-Catholic ministers in whose Churches these sacraments are valid.
In other words, if the conditions of this canon are met, a Catholic is permitted by the Church to receive the sacraments from Churches that also possess valid sacraments. These same norms apply to both the Orthodox Churches and the Societies of St. Pius X and V.
The Church allows exceptions because her first mission is the salvation of souls. These instances are exceptions precisely because of the Church’s mission of unity, of which the Eucharist is the highest sign (cf. Catechism, no. 1398). To allow communicatio in sacris indiscriminately would signify something that does not exist, namely, unity between the Catholic Church and those in a state of schism.
The Church has said unequivocally that the Society of St. Pius X is in schism, and the adherents to the schism are excommunicated. If one goes to Mass at a SSPX chapel not for reasons permitted in canon law but because he or she adheres to the schism of the SSPX, that person is by that fact excommunicated.
For more information about the Society of St. Pius X, see Pope John Paul II’s letter, Ecclesia Dei. In addition, see our FAITH FACT on the SSPX.
Lastly, since the pre-Vatican II Mass (according to the 1962 Missal) has been provided for by the Church by way of indult, you can call the chancery office of your diocese to see if there is a parish in which it is celebrated lawfully.
I hope this answers your question. If you have further questions on this or would like more information about Catholics United for the Faith, please contact us at 1-800-MY-FAITH (693-2484). Please keep us in your prayers as we endeavor to “support, defend, and advance the efforts of the teaching Church.”
United in the Faith,
David E. Utsler
Information Specialist
Catholics United for the Faith
827 North Fourth Street
Steubenville, OH 43952
800-MY-FAITH (800-693-2484)
