I randomly came across a piece of information which says that,in monasteries, monks attend mass 3 times a day,troghout their day. Is this still the case in today's? Can a lay person do it, (communion only once a day) or would he be supposed to spend most of his day working? In my own case, I think I will be able to have the chance to do it,in a few years,as my job and studying opportunities and schedules develop. I just wonder if theres such a thing as "too much mass". is it OK to pray rosary during mass,or does the mass prayer supercede everything else?(I read that st francis de sales prayed rosary during bishop masses,which were seemingly very tedious)
I think that we need to make the distinction between "attending mass" and "receiving Holy communion". One doesn't imply the second even in religious communities. The current Code of Cannon Law -1983- http://www.intratext.com/x/eng0017.htm deals with participation in the Blessed Eucharist in articles 912 through 923. Can. 917 -One who has received the blessed Eucharist may receive it again on the same day only within a eucharistic celebration in which that person participates, without prejudice to the provision of can. 921 §2. Can. 921 -§1 Christ's faithful who are in danger of death, from whatever cause, are to be strengthened by holy communion as Viaticum. --§2 Even if they have already received holy communion that same day, it is nevertheless strongly suggested that in danger of death they should communicate again. This means that ANY faithful Catholic in state of Grace CAN receive Holy Communion for a second time EVERY DAY if the person PARTICIPATES in other Eucharistic celebration after he has already received Holy Communion. And if this person at the end of the day is in danger of death, cannon 921 #2 strongly suggest they should communicate again. As a practical way of seeing it we take into account that we are not required to have ATTENDED A FULL MASS to receive Holy Communion on any given day. We can receive Holy Communion even if we just arrive to church when Holy Communion is being administered. But we are REQUIRED TO ATTEND THE FULL MASS to be allowed to received Holy Communion FOR THE SECOND TIME on the same day -on any given day.
It doesn't make much sense to be only "physically present" at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, while following some other devotion, disconnected with what is happening on the altar. The full participation at Mass is not about "doing" things -readings, or whatever other role lay people may have, but to focus on the mystery that is being celebrated, and to connect with It through Faith. There are all kinds of missals and missalettes available even for free that can help us to participate fruitfully, spiritually and consciously, in the Mystery that is being celebrated. Just by reading the words that are being prayed during the Eucharist we can grow into a fuller participation in the mystery with every Eucharist. There are also many good books that can provide formation to be able to follow the Prayers of the Mass with greater fruit. But those books can be read at a time other than the Eucharist itself. I would say, though, that there would be no problem praying a rosary during the Homily of the Mass ... at least on some cases .... But just to go to Mass to pray the Rosary doesn't make sense. It was different in other centuries and times. Now there is no problem whatsoever with praying the rosary during many if not MOST activities of our day -except the Eucharist. We can pray the rosary while driving, doing dishes, taking a shower ... etc. etc.
thanks for clearing that up! Someone who has a degree in theology once told me the erronous view I posted ,so I accepted it as true. haha.
I did not know this. I grew up with the teaching that if you were late for Mass and missed the Gospel reading, you could not receive Holy Communion.
There seems to be some misunderstanding here: If we arrive late for Mass and miss even the Gospel reading: WE DO NOT FULLFIL THE SUNDAY OBLIGATION OF ATTENDING FULL MASS. This used to be the rule of thumb for the Sunday precept. And the person would have to see to it that the Sunday obligation would still need to be fulfilled that day, with or without Holy communion. But it has nothing to do with an added requirement to receive Holy Communion for a person in state of Grace. It doesn't apply for communion. Holy communion can be received even outside of Mass. Think for instance of a hospital or a home bound person: without Mass, people can be administered Holy Communion.
