Fr. Dwyer's book, Mass Class may be ordered from the publisher
Excerpt from Mass Class by Father Dave Dwyer, Copyright © 2022 by David P. Dwyer.
Published by Paulist Press, Inc., New York/Mahwah, NJ. Reprinted by permission of Paulist Press, Inc.
Question (as it appears in Sep 1 Bulletin):
How many times can you receive the Eucharist in a day?
Short Answer
The Code of Canon Law (a big fat book that contains lots of the aforementioned "rules") prescribes that "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" (canon 917). There are a few things to note in that short statement.
First, the law allows you to max out at two. The next thing that's interesting is that this regulation does not require that receiving communion twice in a day be only on rare occasions for some "grave reason." In fact, the implication here is if my Aunt Angie really wants to receive the Eucharist at daily Mass in the morning before she goes to work and in the evening on her way home, she is permitted to do that.
Complete Answer
I'm a eucharistic minister and recently something came up. I served at the Sunday 8:00 a.m. Mass as scheduled. When I got home, one of the 11:00 a.m. Mass ministers called and said, "I can't make Mass this morning. Can you cover for me? You're my last hope, l've asked three people already!" I said sure. But when I arrived at church, it dawned on me: "I've already had communion today! Am I allowed to receive again at this Mass?" Are there rules on how many times Catholics can receive communion in one day?
You asked if there are rules regarding this. I hope it doesn't surprise you to find out that there are. In fact, when anyone asks me a question that contains the words "Are there rules?" there's a high likelihood that my answer is going to be yes. And I won't keep you in suspense much longer: there is nothing wrong with you receiving communion twice on the Sunday you pitched in to help. So don't worry; you're fine.
Normally, a Catholic would not receive communion more than once a day, meaning they wouldn't attend multiple Masses, except on some occasions when it is appropriate. An example is if someone who regularly attends the 7:30 a.m. daily Mass at their parish also went to a funeral Mass in the afternoon. That person should have no concerns about receiving communion a second time.
The Code of Canon Law (a big fat book that contains lots of the aforementioned "rules") prescribes that "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" (canon 917). There are a few things to note in that short statement.
First, the law allows you to max out at two. Even a busy deacon who ends up serving at three Masses on the same day technically should abstain from receiving communion at the third Mass, Two is the limit unless you are dying (canon law is filled with exemptions for those who are close to death). The next thing that's interesting is that this regulation does not require that receiving communion twice in a day be only on rare occasions for some "grave reason." In other words, you would not have had to submit a letter to your bishop defending your action at that 11:00 a.m. Mass, complete with testimony from the other minister citing how many other calls she made. In fact, the implication here is if my Aunt Angie really wants to receive the Eucharist at daily Mass in the morning before she goes to work and in the evening on her way home, she is permitted to do that.
Finally, the most curious wording of canon 917 is actually the reason why the law exists in the first place. You may have thought it odd for the Church to include the phrase "only during the celebration of the Eucharist in which the person participates. Well, duh? How could you even receive communion at a Mass you're not participating in? The law is attempting to guard against the temptation to think we can "multiply the grace" of the sacrament by receiving communion more frequently. It's not inconceivable that a person could figure out when different Mass times are around town, and just pop into the church during the communion procession, join the line, receive the Eucharist, and then head on over to the parish with the next Mass and repeat the process. The Church does not want us to get the idea that the Blessed Sacrament is some sort of elixir: the more of it we consume over the course of a day, the more healing it brings. Not so. That's why the law stipulates that someone must "participate in the Mass" at which they receive.
The Eucharist is not a fast-food drive through window. Rather it's more akin to a family's Thanksgiving dinner. You show up early, hang around a while gathered at the table, hear family stories, eat plenty of food, and leave when everyone else does— when its all over. So canon 917 is saying, "If you wanna do that twice in one day, be our guest. But don't think you can just drop in for pumpkin pie and take it on a paper plate to go.”
Again, in your case, as an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion serving at two different Masses on a Sunday, receiving communion a second time is acceptable in the Church's eyes because you fully participated in both Masses.
How many times can you receive the Eucharist in a day?
Short Answer
The Code of Canon Law (a big fat book that contains lots of the aforementioned "rules") prescribes that "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" (canon 917). There are a few things to note in that short statement.
First, the law allows you to max out at two. The next thing that's interesting is that this regulation does not require that receiving communion twice in a day be only on rare occasions for some "grave reason." In fact, the implication here is if my Aunt Angie really wants to receive the Eucharist at daily Mass in the morning before she goes to work and in the evening on her way home, she is permitted to do that.
Complete Answer
I'm a eucharistic minister and recently something came up. I served at the Sunday 8:00 a.m. Mass as scheduled. When I got home, one of the 11:00 a.m. Mass ministers called and said, "I can't make Mass this morning. Can you cover for me? You're my last hope, l've asked three people already!" I said sure. But when I arrived at church, it dawned on me: "I've already had communion today! Am I allowed to receive again at this Mass?" Are there rules on how many times Catholics can receive communion in one day?
You asked if there are rules regarding this. I hope it doesn't surprise you to find out that there are. In fact, when anyone asks me a question that contains the words "Are there rules?" there's a high likelihood that my answer is going to be yes. And I won't keep you in suspense much longer: there is nothing wrong with you receiving communion twice on the Sunday you pitched in to help. So don't worry; you're fine.
Normally, a Catholic would not receive communion more than once a day, meaning they wouldn't attend multiple Masses, except on some occasions when it is appropriate. An example is if someone who regularly attends the 7:30 a.m. daily Mass at their parish also went to a funeral Mass in the afternoon. That person should have no concerns about receiving communion a second time.
The Code of Canon Law (a big fat book that contains lots of the aforementioned "rules") prescribes that "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" (canon 917). There are a few things to note in that short statement.
First, the law allows you to max out at two. Even a busy deacon who ends up serving at three Masses on the same day technically should abstain from receiving communion at the third Mass, Two is the limit unless you are dying (canon law is filled with exemptions for those who are close to death). The next thing that's interesting is that this regulation does not require that receiving communion twice in a day be only on rare occasions for some "grave reason." In other words, you would not have had to submit a letter to your bishop defending your action at that 11:00 a.m. Mass, complete with testimony from the other minister citing how many other calls she made. In fact, the implication here is if my Aunt Angie really wants to receive the Eucharist at daily Mass in the morning before she goes to work and in the evening on her way home, she is permitted to do that.
Finally, the most curious wording of canon 917 is actually the reason why the law exists in the first place. You may have thought it odd for the Church to include the phrase "only during the celebration of the Eucharist in which the person participates. Well, duh? How could you even receive communion at a Mass you're not participating in? The law is attempting to guard against the temptation to think we can "multiply the grace" of the sacrament by receiving communion more frequently. It's not inconceivable that a person could figure out when different Mass times are around town, and just pop into the church during the communion procession, join the line, receive the Eucharist, and then head on over to the parish with the next Mass and repeat the process. The Church does not want us to get the idea that the Blessed Sacrament is some sort of elixir: the more of it we consume over the course of a day, the more healing it brings. Not so. That's why the law stipulates that someone must "participate in the Mass" at which they receive.
The Eucharist is not a fast-food drive through window. Rather it's more akin to a family's Thanksgiving dinner. You show up early, hang around a while gathered at the table, hear family stories, eat plenty of food, and leave when everyone else does— when its all over. So canon 917 is saying, "If you wanna do that twice in one day, be our guest. But don't think you can just drop in for pumpkin pie and take it on a paper plate to go.”
Again, in your case, as an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion serving at two different Masses on a Sunday, receiving communion a second time is acceptable in the Church's eyes because you fully participated in both Masses.
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Question (as it appears in Sep 1 Bulletin):
How many times can you receive the Eucharist in a day?
Short Answer
The Code of Canon Law (a big fat book that contains lots of the aforementioned "rules") prescribes that "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" (canon 917). There are a few things to note in that short statement.
First, the law allows you to max out at two. The next thing that's interesting is that this regulation does not require that receiving communion twice in a day be only on rare occasions for some "grave reason." In fact, the implication here is if my Aunt Angie really wants to receive the Eucharist at daily Mass in the morning before she goes to work and in the evening on her way home, she is permitted to do that.
Complete Answer
I'm a eucharistic minister and recently something came up. I served at the Sunday 8:00 a.m. Mass as scheduled. When I got home, one of the 11:00 a.m. Mass ministers called and said, "I can't make Mass this morning. Can you cover for me? You're my last hope, l've asked three people already!" I said sure. But when I arrived at church, it dawned on me: "I've already had communion today! Am I allowed to receive again at this Mass?" Are there rules on how many times Catholics can receive communion in one day?
You asked if there are rules regarding this. I hope it doesn't surprise you to find out that there are. In fact, when anyone asks me a question that contains the words "Are there rules?" there's a high likelihood that my answer is going to be yes. And I won't keep you in suspense much longer: there is nothing wrong with you receiving communion twice on the Sunday you pitched in to help. So don't worry; you're fine.
Normally, a Catholic would not receive communion more than once a day, meaning they wouldn't attend multiple Masses, except on some occasions when it is appropriate. An example is if someone who regularly attends the 7:30 a.m. daily Mass at their parish also went to a funeral Mass in the afternoon. That person should have no concerns about receiving communion a second time.
The Code of Canon Law (a big fat book that contains lots of the aforementioned "rules") prescribes that "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" (canon 917). There are a few things to note in that short statement.
First, the law allows you to max out at two. Even a busy deacon who ends up serving at three Masses on the same day technically should abstain from receiving communion at the third Mass, Two is the limit unless you are dying (canon law is filled with exemptions for those who are close to death). The next thing that's interesting is that this regulation does not require that receiving communion twice in a day be only on rare occasions for some "grave reason." In other words, you would not have had to submit a letter to your bishop defending your action at that 11:00 a.m. Mass, complete with testimony from the other minister citing how many other calls she made. In fact, the implication here is if my Aunt Angie really wants to receive the Eucharist at daily Mass in the morning before she goes to work and in the evening on her way home, she is permitted to do that.
Finally, the most curious wording of canon 917 is actually the reason why the law exists in the first place. You may have thought it odd for the Church to include the phrase "only during the celebration of the Eucharist in which the person participates. Well, duh? How could you even receive communion at a Mass you're not participating in? The law is attempting to guard against the temptation to think we can "multiply the grace" of the sacrament by receiving communion more frequently. It's not inconceivable that a person could figure out when different Mass times are around town, and just pop into the church during the communion procession, join the line, receive the Eucharist, and then head on over to the parish with the next Mass and repeat the process. The Church does not want us to get the idea that the Blessed Sacrament is some sort of elixir: the more of it we consume over the course of a day, the more healing it brings. Not so. That's why the law stipulates that someone must "participate in the Mass" at which they receive.
The Eucharist is not a fast-food drive through window. Rather it's more akin to a family's Thanksgiving dinner. You show up early, hang around a while gathered at the table, hear family stories, eat plenty of food, and leave when everyone else does— when its all over. So canon 917 is saying, "If you wanna do that twice in one day, be our guest. But don't think you can just drop in for pumpkin pie and take it on a paper plate to go.”
Again, in your case, as an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion serving at two different Masses on a Sunday, receiving communion a second time is acceptable in the Church's eyes because you fully participated in both Masses.
How many times can you receive the Eucharist in a day?
Short Answer
The Code of Canon Law (a big fat book that contains lots of the aforementioned "rules") prescribes that "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" (canon 917). There are a few things to note in that short statement.
First, the law allows you to max out at two. The next thing that's interesting is that this regulation does not require that receiving communion twice in a day be only on rare occasions for some "grave reason." In fact, the implication here is if my Aunt Angie really wants to receive the Eucharist at daily Mass in the morning before she goes to work and in the evening on her way home, she is permitted to do that.
Complete Answer
I'm a eucharistic minister and recently something came up. I served at the Sunday 8:00 a.m. Mass as scheduled. When I got home, one of the 11:00 a.m. Mass ministers called and said, "I can't make Mass this morning. Can you cover for me? You're my last hope, l've asked three people already!" I said sure. But when I arrived at church, it dawned on me: "I've already had communion today! Am I allowed to receive again at this Mass?" Are there rules on how many times Catholics can receive communion in one day?
You asked if there are rules regarding this. I hope it doesn't surprise you to find out that there are. In fact, when anyone asks me a question that contains the words "Are there rules?" there's a high likelihood that my answer is going to be yes. And I won't keep you in suspense much longer: there is nothing wrong with you receiving communion twice on the Sunday you pitched in to help. So don't worry; you're fine.
Normally, a Catholic would not receive communion more than once a day, meaning they wouldn't attend multiple Masses, except on some occasions when it is appropriate. An example is if someone who regularly attends the 7:30 a.m. daily Mass at their parish also went to a funeral Mass in the afternoon. That person should have no concerns about receiving communion a second time.
The Code of Canon Law (a big fat book that contains lots of the aforementioned "rules") prescribes that "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" (canon 917). There are a few things to note in that short statement.
First, the law allows you to max out at two. Even a busy deacon who ends up serving at three Masses on the same day technically should abstain from receiving communion at the third Mass, Two is the limit unless you are dying (canon law is filled with exemptions for those who are close to death). The next thing that's interesting is that this regulation does not require that receiving communion twice in a day be only on rare occasions for some "grave reason." In other words, you would not have had to submit a letter to your bishop defending your action at that 11:00 a.m. Mass, complete with testimony from the other minister citing how many other calls she made. In fact, the implication here is if my Aunt Angie really wants to receive the Eucharist at daily Mass in the morning before she goes to work and in the evening on her way home, she is permitted to do that.
Finally, the most curious wording of canon 917 is actually the reason why the law exists in the first place. You may have thought it odd for the Church to include the phrase "only during the celebration of the Eucharist in which the person participates. Well, duh? How could you even receive communion at a Mass you're not participating in? The law is attempting to guard against the temptation to think we can "multiply the grace" of the sacrament by receiving communion more frequently. It's not inconceivable that a person could figure out when different Mass times are around town, and just pop into the church during the communion procession, join the line, receive the Eucharist, and then head on over to the parish with the next Mass and repeat the process. The Church does not want us to get the idea that the Blessed Sacrament is some sort of elixir: the more of it we consume over the course of a day, the more healing it brings. Not so. That's why the law stipulates that someone must "participate in the Mass" at which they receive.
The Eucharist is not a fast-food drive through window. Rather it's more akin to a family's Thanksgiving dinner. You show up early, hang around a while gathered at the table, hear family stories, eat plenty of food, and leave when everyone else does— when its all over. So canon 917 is saying, "If you wanna do that twice in one day, be our guest. But don't think you can just drop in for pumpkin pie and take it on a paper plate to go.”
Again, in your case, as an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion serving at two different Masses on a Sunday, receiving communion a second time is acceptable in the Church's eyes because you fully participated in both Masses.
Question (as it appears in Aug 25 Bulletin):
When we say, "Only say the word and my soul shall be healed" what's the word?
Answer:
The simple answer is that it's an idiom, a turn of phrase.
Have you ever heard someone say something like, "I want to be there for you, so just say the word and I'll drop what I'm doing and come over"? What they mean is the other person doesn't need to describe their need or persuade them to come over- that is ,they won't need to use a lot of words. Just one word will do, and it doesn't even matter which one.
Remember the film Jerry Maguire with Tom Cruise? In the classic scene after Jerry bursts in on Renée Zellweger's character, Dorothy, and gives a fairly lengthy, tearful apology, there's a moment of dramatic tension before she responds, "You had me at "hello." Turns out, he didn't need that long, rehearsed speech after all. All he needed was one word.
Here's one more: Picture a navy captain inspecting his crew all standing at attention on the deck of the ship. The second-in-command informs him, "Ready to embark, sir. Just give the word and we'll shove off.”
Apparently, this turn of phrase was also in use in Jesus's time (not in English, of course). In fact, the words for this part of the Mass are taken almost verbatim from an account in the Gospels (see Matthew 8:5-13 and Luke 7:1-10). A Roman centurion, a military commander, approaches Jesus and tells him of his dying servant back at his house several miles away. When Jesus offers to follow him all the way home so that he may heal his servant, the centurion says in reply, "Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and my servant will be healed." Does that sound familiar? It should. Substitute the word "servant" for the word "soul" and you've got that phrase from the Mass that befuddles you.
What the centurion means is essentially, "No, no, no. I'm not worthy that you, someone with such great power, would come all the way to my house. But I have faith in you. I believe that all you would need to do is say a single word from this far off and my servant will be healed right away." You'll notice that Jesus does not then say some sort of magic word like abracadabra. Why? Because "just say the word" doesn't mean there is a particular word that must be said. Rather, Jesus turns to the crowd and starts extolling the commander's great faith. Then the Lord proclaims, "You may go; as you have believed, let it be done for you." And the Scripture tells us that at that moment the servant was healed.
How fitting is it that just before we receive communion at Mass, we repeat the words of the centurion? It's a testament of our faith, just like it was for him. We, too, believe that, as sinful as we are, Christ has the power to heal us, to make us worthy. Maybe now, when you pray, "Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed," you can hear in your heart our Lord saying to you, "As you have believed, let it be done for you."
When we say, "Only say the word and my soul shall be healed" what's the word?
Answer:
The simple answer is that it's an idiom, a turn of phrase.
Have you ever heard someone say something like, "I want to be there for you, so just say the word and I'll drop what I'm doing and come over"? What they mean is the other person doesn't need to describe their need or persuade them to come over- that is ,they won't need to use a lot of words. Just one word will do, and it doesn't even matter which one.
Remember the film Jerry Maguire with Tom Cruise? In the classic scene after Jerry bursts in on Renée Zellweger's character, Dorothy, and gives a fairly lengthy, tearful apology, there's a moment of dramatic tension before she responds, "You had me at "hello." Turns out, he didn't need that long, rehearsed speech after all. All he needed was one word.
Here's one more: Picture a navy captain inspecting his crew all standing at attention on the deck of the ship. The second-in-command informs him, "Ready to embark, sir. Just give the word and we'll shove off.”
Apparently, this turn of phrase was also in use in Jesus's time (not in English, of course). In fact, the words for this part of the Mass are taken almost verbatim from an account in the Gospels (see Matthew 8:5-13 and Luke 7:1-10). A Roman centurion, a military commander, approaches Jesus and tells him of his dying servant back at his house several miles away. When Jesus offers to follow him all the way home so that he may heal his servant, the centurion says in reply, "Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and my servant will be healed." Does that sound familiar? It should. Substitute the word "servant" for the word "soul" and you've got that phrase from the Mass that befuddles you.
What the centurion means is essentially, "No, no, no. I'm not worthy that you, someone with such great power, would come all the way to my house. But I have faith in you. I believe that all you would need to do is say a single word from this far off and my servant will be healed right away." You'll notice that Jesus does not then say some sort of magic word like abracadabra. Why? Because "just say the word" doesn't mean there is a particular word that must be said. Rather, Jesus turns to the crowd and starts extolling the commander's great faith. Then the Lord proclaims, "You may go; as you have believed, let it be done for you." And the Scripture tells us that at that moment the servant was healed.
How fitting is it that just before we receive communion at Mass, we repeat the words of the centurion? It's a testament of our faith, just like it was for him. We, too, believe that, as sinful as we are, Christ has the power to heal us, to make us worthy. Maybe now, when you pray, "Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed," you can hear in your heart our Lord saying to you, "As you have believed, let it be done for you."
Fr. Dwyer's book, Mass Class may be ordered from the publisher
Excerpt from Mass Class by Father Dave Dwyer, Copyright © 2022 by David P. Dwyer.
Published by Paulist Press, Inc., New York/Mahwah, NJ. Reprinted by permission of Paulist Press, Inc.
