Xxxiv. Of The Reception Of The Sacrament Of The Holy Eucharist
XXXIV. OF THE RECEPTION OF THE SACRAMENT OF THE HOLY EUCHARIST
(A)
Are there divers ways of receiving this sacrament?
Yes, one can receive it spiritually or sacramentally (LXXX. 1).
What difference is there between these two ways?
This difference: those who receive the Holy Eucharist sacramentally only do not receive its effects; whereas those who receive it spiritually receive the effects thereof, whether this be by reason of the desire which moves them, or by reason of the actual reception of the sacrament which carries with it always the fulness of the sacrament's effect (LXXX. 1).
Can only man receive this sacrament spiritually?
Yes, because only man can believe in Jesus Christ, having the desire to receive Him as He is in this sacrament (LXXX. 2).
Can this sacrament be received sacramentally by sinners?
Yes, sinners who have the faith and who know what is the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist can receive it sacramentally whatever sins they may have on their conscience (LXXX. 3).
Does the sinner who receives this sacrament with the consciousness of his sins commit a sin in receiving this sacrament?
Yes; he commits a sacrilege, because by receiving this sacrament which contains Jesus Christ Himself, and which signifies the unity of Christ's mystic body which cannot exist except by faith and charity, he violates this sacrament, because without charity he endeavours to unite Jesus Christ to himself; and it is only charity which unites Jesus Christ to His members (LXXX. 4).
Is this sin especially grave?
Yes, because it insults the sacred humanity of Jesus Christ in the sacrament of His love (LXXX. 5).
Is this sin as grave as the external profanation of this sacrament?
No; for this latter sin implies the direct intention of insulting Jesus Christ in His sacrament, which is a sin of greater gravity (LXXX. 5, Obj. 3).
What is necessary in order to receive, as it behooves, this sacrament sacramentally?
First of all the use of reason, and the state of grace, and also the desire to gather the fruits of the spiritual life attaching to the reception of the sacrament (LXXX. 9, 10).
(B)
May one dispense altogether with the reception of the Holy Eucharist sacramentally?
No, unless there is no possibility of receiving it; and the reason is because no one can be saved without the grace of this sacrament; but it is impossible to have the grace of this sacrament unless one has at least the desire to receive it sacramentally as soon as occasion offers (LXXX. 11).
Are there certain times fixed by the Church when one is bound to receive this sacrament sacramentally?
Yes; and these times are for every man as soon as he has attained the age of reason and is sufficiently instructed in the nature of this sacrament; and during life at least once a year, during paschal time; and lastly, when one is in danger of death, when the sacrament is received under the form of the viaticum (Code, Canons 854, 859, 864).
(C)
May one receive the Holy Eucharist sacramentally every day?
Yes, provided the conditions aforementioned are kept, so as to receive it in a fitting manner (LXXX. 10).
Is one bound to receive the Holy Eucharist sacramentally under both species of bread and wine?
Only priests at the altar in the celebration of the Mass are bound to receive the sacrament sacramentally under both species of bread and wine. As to the faithful they must conform themselves to what the Church has determined; and in fact in the Latin Church it is received by them under the species of bread only (LXXX. 12).
(D)
Must one receive this sacrament fasting?
Yes, one must fast from the previous midnight (LXXX. 12).
May one ever receive sacramentally the Holy Eucharist without fasting?
Yes, there are certain occasions when the fast is not obligatory; for instance, in order to prevent the sacred species from being profaned. But apart from this case, one may receive the Holy Eucharist under the form of the viaticum when in danger of death. As regards those who are sick and who have been obliged to keep their beds for a month, and for whom there is no hope of immediate recovery, these may receive the Holy Eucharist once or twice a week even though they may on the same morning have already taken medicine or even food provided it is taken in a liquid form (Code, Canon 858).