Canon 917 states, “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”. Looking at the law, it is clear that under normal circumstances, a person can receive communion twice a day. The Latin word used is “iterum” which means “a second time”. Notice though, that the second time one receives holy communion must be within the Eucharistic Celebration, the mass. Here are two examples.
Example A: It is a Saturday and I’m assisting my nina who is sick at her house. The priest comes for a visit and to give her holy communion. At this moment, I can also legitimately receive communion. Later though, I go to attend the Anticipated Sunday mass at San Vicente Parish. I can also legitimately receive communion a second time in the day because it is within the mass.
Example B: I wake up on Sunday morning to attend mass at San Jose Parish Tinian so that I can hear Fr. Anthony deliver an inspiring homily. In the course of mass, I go up to receive holy communion. At around 4pm that day, I go to visit my uncle who is sick. Fr. Anthony arrives shortly after to offer him Holy Communion. In this case, I cannot legitimately receive the Eucharist a second time because it is not within the context of mass.
The purpose for restricting the frequency of holy communion is two-fold. First, it is to encourage active participation in the mass. Secondly, it is so that we do not reduce the reception of the Eucharist into a commodity or a routine action. The Church does not want us to treat the reception of holy communion as a superstition, thinking that the more I receive the better and holier I can become. It is not magic. Instead, we are all invited to have a better understanding of our participation in the Eucharistic celebration and appreciate each moment we receive Jesus’ Body and Blood through worthy preparation.
This is the general principle on the reception of holy communion, but there are two exceptions. The first is receiving the Eucharist as Viaticum. Viaticum comes from a Latin word meaning, “with you on the way”. It indicates receiving holy communion while dying or in the danger of death. In fact, it should really be the last sacrament we receive at the hour of our death. We hope to receive Jesus’ Body and Blood so that He accompanies us on the journey afterward.
Notice that in this case of Viaticum though, to receive the Eucharist a second time does not have to be in mass. The law states, “Even if they have been nourished by holy communion on the same, however, those in danger of death are strongly urged to receive communion again. While the danger of death lasts, it is recommended that holy communion be administered often, but on separate days” (Canon 921 1&2).
The second exception regards priests. Obviously, when a priest celebrates mass he presides over the entire celebration and must receive holy communion. Given current pastoral situations, some priests have to receive the Eucharist more than twice a day. Here are two other examples on these exceptions.
Example 1: I am visiting my cousin at the hospital, when the priest stops by to offer holy communion. He distributes it to the both of us. Later in the day, while driving, I have a heart attack. I am admitted to the hospital and it is not looking great, but I am still conscious. The priest comes back to offer me the anointing of the sick and holy communion as Viaticum. In this situation I can receive the Eucharist twice in a day, because I am in the danger of death. Holy communion as Viaticum.
Example 2: Fr. Harold Funa celebrates 3 Sunday masses. He would consume the Eucharist three times.
This article has described the Church’s law on the reception of Holy Communion in a day. There are two circumstances to keep in mind, one ordinary and the other extraordinary. If you are to receive the Eucharist a second time, it should be within your participation at mass. Unless of course, you are in the danger of death. Jesus is Emmanuel, “God-with-us”, most especially in the sacrament of His Body and Blood.