A: "Canon 917 - 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."¹ "Canon 921.2 - Even if they have received Communion in the same day, those who are in danger of death are strongly urged to receive again."² "It is in keeping with the very meaning of the Eucharist that the faithful, if they have the required dispositions, receive communion when they participate in the Mass. This is followed by the footnote: 219 Cf. CIC, Canon 917; The faithful may receive the Holy Eucharist only a second time on the same day [Cf. Pontificia Commissio Codici Iuris Canonici Authentice Interpretando, Responsa ad proposita dubia, 1: AAS 76 (1984) 746]."³ "The Church warmly recommends that the faithful receive Holy Communion when they participate in the celebration of the Eucharist; she obliges them to do so at least once a year."⁴

Based on the above Canon laws and teachings from the Catechism, the faithful (including extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist) may receive the Holy Eucharist twice in a given day, provided that they participate in both Holy Masses. Additionally, a person in danger of death may receive the Holy Eucharist again as Viaticum regardless of how many times they have already received otherwise that day.

¹ Code of Canon Law, (1983), Canon Law Society of America, Washington, DC., P. 343
² Code of Canon Law, (1983), Canon Law Society of America, Washington, DC., P. 345
³ Catechism of the Catholic Church - Modifications (corrections) from the Editio Typica, (1998), US Catholic Conference, Washington, DC., Paragraph 1388, P.P. 12-13
⁴ Catechism of the Catholic Church - Modifications (corrections) from the Editio Typica, (1998), US Catholic Conference, Washington, DC., Paragraph 1417, P. 13

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Acupuncture

Q: Is acupuncture a sin? I heard once during a prayer group that acupuncture is a sin but could not believe it because I thought it is a sort of treatment.

A: If acupuncture is used as a medical procedure it is not a sin. It would only become a sin if you attached a power outside of God to it or if the practitioner did some type of strange prayer ritual as part of the treatment.

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Bishops' Resignation

Q: I have been reading about some bishops being 'excused' pursuant to Canon 401.2. What is this referring to?

A: "A diocesan bishop is earnestly requested to present his resignation from office when he has become less able to fulfill his office due to ill health or another serious reason."¹ This brief Canon states that if a bishop cannot fulfill the responsibilities of his job and ministry of bishop because of either ill health or another serious reason, he should submit his resignation. The resignation would be to the pope.

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¹ Code of Canon Law, Canon Law Society of America, Washington, DC, Canon 401.2, P. 149

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Lamb of God

Q: In the latest Cleveland, Ohio bulletin insert (10/26/03) it says, "At the end of the Lamb of God Rite the people remain standing in preparation for procession to Communion." Is this (remain standing directive) correct?

A: Yes. "The faithful kneel after the Agnus Dei unless the diocesan Bishop determines otherwise."¹ So, with this instruction, which is approved by the Vatican, the local bishop has the authority to direct us to remain standing at this point of the Mass. "Agnus Dei (is the Latin) for Lamb of God."²

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¹ General Instruction of the Roman Missal, (April 2003), US Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, DC, Paragraph 43, P. 26
² Our Sunday Visitor's Catholic Encyclopedia Fr. Peter M.J. Stravinskas, Ph.D., S.T.D., - Editor, Our Sunday Visitor, Huntington, IN, P. 48

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