How many masses in a day?
Question from Anon on 6/30/2008:
I read a book some years ago by TAN publishing on the Eucharist. It told a story of a man who used to attend three masses in a day and because of this he was always surrounded by angels. While I find the angel bit a little fanciful, I want to know whether a person may go regularly for more than one mass in a day? What is the Church's teaching with regards to this? Isn't this a kind of abuse where a person disregards the sacredness of the Eucharist?
Thanks
Answer by Rev. Mark J. Gantley, JCL on 6/30/2008:
There is no limit to the number of Masses a person may attend in a day. The limit is in regard to the reception of Holy Communion -- it would be limited to two of the Masses per day.
I think, though, that this is not reflective of a good spiritual life. One needs to consider not only the letter of the law but the spirit. The Church considers attendance at daily Mass as praiseworthy. I know of no Church document that considers attendance at multiple Masses as praiseworthy. Perhaps the time could be better spent doing acts of kindness, charity, work of mercy, or in other forms of prayer.
Question from Anon on 6/30/2008:
I read a book some years ago by TAN publishing on the Eucharist. It told a story of a man who used to attend three masses in a day and because of this he was always surrounded by angels. While I find the angel bit a little fanciful, I want to know whether a person may go regularly for more than one mass in a day? What is the Church's teaching with regards to this? Isn't this a kind of abuse where a person disregards the sacredness of the Eucharist?
Thanks
Answer by Rev. Mark J. Gantley, JCL on 6/30/2008:
There is no limit to the number of Masses a person may attend in a day. The limit is in regard to the reception of Holy Communion -- it would be limited to two of the Masses per day.
I think, though, that this is not reflective of a good spiritual life. One needs to consider not only the letter of the law but the spirit. The Church considers attendance at daily Mass as praiseworthy. I know of no Church document that considers attendance at multiple Masses as praiseworthy. Perhaps the time could be better spent doing acts of kindness, charity, work of mercy, or in other forms of prayer.
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