Dear Grace,
I am the director of religious education (DRE) of my parish. Recently, our second graders celebrated their First Holy Communion. Because we are a very large parish, and wanted to accommodate all the families and their guests, we had to have three celebrations.
It was therefore necessary to acquire extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist for all three celebrations. To achieve this, the school principal and vice principal wanted to volunteer for all three celebrations. I told them that they could only receive Communion twice in one day. They both said they have never heard of this restriction and went to the pastor. The pastor more or less said that because it was a special circumstance (although there were other laypersons who could have performed this duty) it was OK for them to receive Communion three times and to be extraordinary ministers. Was he right?
Grace answers: The Code of Canon Law reads as follows: “A person who has received the Most Holy Eucharist may receive it again on the same day only during the celebration of the Eucharist in which the person participates, with due regard for the prescription of canon 921, §2.” When we look at canon 921, §2, we find that it stipulates the following: “Even if they have received Communion in the same day, those who are in danger of death are strongly urged to receive again” and that “while the danger of death lasts, it is recommended that Holy Communion be given repeatedly but on separate days” (canon 917; 921, §2; §3) [emphasis added]. Thus, we see that, under normal circumstances, ecclesiastical discipline restricts the reception of Communion to once a day — twice a day would be an exception.
The Canon makes it quite clear that even when in danger of death, if Holy Communion is given, it must be on “separate days.” This definitely implies that once a day is enough. More than once a day is not necessary and should not be done. In unusual circumstances, however, the Church does permit receiving Communion twice in one day in order to allow for those situations when, out of serious necessity, a person must attend more than one Eucharistic celebration in the same day. There are several situations when this would apply. For example, it would occur when one must attend a funeral Mass or a wedding Mass, after having received Communion already that day.
So, what is to be done regarding the two people and the situation that you mention in your letter? This is interesting because here we are speaking about a person wishing to receive Communion not once or twice, but three times! It should be quite obvious that three times in one day is excessive and should not be allowed. You make it clear that there was no real or urgent need for the principal or vice principal to serve as extraordinary ministers at all three celebrations. We must therefore wonder about their intention in insisting that they be allowed to serve at all three services.
How often a person may receive Jesus in Holy Communion in a single day depends not only on necessity but also on his or her intention and disposition. Here is what the Decree on the Frequent and Daily Reception of Holy Communion (Sacra tridentina) has to say: “A right intention consists in this: that he who approaches the Holy Table should do so, not out of routine, or vainglory, or human respect, but that he wish to please God, to be more closely united with Him by charity, and to have recourse to this divine remedy for his weakness and defects.”
Sometimes, people think that, as officials, they have some kind of duty to be “seen” by their constituents and “involved.” But it is just as high profile to sit in the front row, as diplomats and civil authorities do. Another error is that “active participation” is often understood as “doing something.” But, in reality, real participation in the Mass and the sacraments is interior, not exterior.
We of course cannot be certain of why your pastor permitted these two persons to serve at three Masses if there was no real need, but we do know that it was not in agreement with the Church’s legislation in this matter.
© Copyright 2005 Grace D. MacKinnon
For permission to reprint this article, or to have Grace speak at your event, contact Grace MacKinnon at grace@DearGraceMinistries.org.
Grace MacKinnon holds an MA in theology and is a syndicated columnist and public speaker on Catholic doctrine. Her new book grace@DearGraceMinistries.org. You may also visit her online at www.DearGraceMinistries.org.
