Art. 2. Participation in the Most Holy Eucharist

Can. 912 Any baptized person not prohibited by law can and must be admitted to holy communion.

Can. 913 §1. The administration of the Most Holy Eucharist to children requires that they have sufficient

knowledge and careful preparation so that they understand the mystery of Christ according to their capacity and

are able to receive the body of Christ with faith and devotion.

§2. The Most Holy Eucharist, however, can be administered to children in danger of death if they can

distinguish the body of Christ from ordinary food and receive communion reverently.

Can. 914 It is primarily the duty of parents and those who take the place of parents, as well as the duty of pastors,

to take care that children who have reached the use of reason are prepared properly and, after they have made

sacramental confession, are refreshed with this divine food as soon as possible. It is for the pastor to exercise vigilance

so that children who have not attained the use of reason or whom he judges are not sufficiently disposed do not

approach holy communion.

Can. 915 Those who have been excommunicated or interdicted after the imposition or declaration of the penalty

and others obstinately persevering in manifest grave sin are not to be admitted to holy communion.

Can. 916 A person who is conscious of grave sin is not to celebrate Mass or receive the body of the Lord without

previous sacramental confession unless there is a grave reason and there is no opportunity to confess; in this case the

person is to remember the obligation to make an act of perfect contrition which includes the resolution of confessing

as soon as possible.

Can. 917 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, without prejudice to the prescript of can.

921, §2.

Can. 918 It is highly recommended that the faithful receive holy communion during the eucharistic celebration

itself. It is to be administered outside the Mass, however, to those who request it for a just cause, with the liturgical

rites being observed.

Can. 919 §1. A person who is to receive the Most Holy Eucharist is to abstain for at least one hour before holy

communion from any food and drink, except for only water and medicine.

§2. A priest who celebrates the Most Holy Eucharist two or three times on the same day can take something

before the second or third celebration even if there is less than one hour between them.

§3. The elderly, the infirm, and those who care for them can receive the Most Holy Eucharist even if they

have eaten something within the preceding hour.

Can. 920 §1. After being initiated into the Most Holy Eucharist, each of the faithful is obliged to receive holy

communion at least once a year.

§2. This precept must be fulfilled during the Easter season unless it is fulfilled for a just cause at another time

during the year.

Can. 921 §1. The Christian faithful who are in danger of death from any cause are to be nourished by holy

communion in the form of Viaticum.

§2. Even if they have been nourished by holy communion on the same day, however, those in danger of death

are strongly urged to receive communion again.

§3. While the danger of death lasts, it is recommended that holy communion be administered often, but on

separate days.

Can. 922 Holy Viaticum for the sick is not to be delayed too long; those who have the care of souls are to be zealous

and vigilant that the sick are nourished by Viaticum while fully conscious.

Can. 923 The Christian faithful can participate in the eucharistic sacrifice and receive holy communion in any

Catholic rite, without prejudice to the prescript of can. 844.