Receiving Holy Communion outside the celebration of Holy Mass is an extraordinary way of receiving Holy Communion. The celebration of the eucharist in the sacrifice of the Mass is the true origin and purpose of the worship shown to the eucharist outside Mass. The principal reason for reserving the sacrament after Mass is to unite, through sacramental communion, the faithful unable to participate in the Mass, especially the sick and the aged, with Christ and the offering of his sacrifice. In turn, eucharistic reservation, which became customary in order to permit the reception of communion, led to the practice of adoring this sacrament and offering to it the worship which is due to God. This cult of adoration is based upon valid and solid principles. Moreover, some of the public and communal forms of this worship were instituted by the Church itself.
The primary and original reason for reservation of the eucharist outside Mass is the administration of viaticum. The secondary reasons are the giving of communion and the adoration of our Lord Jesus Christ who is present in the sacrament. The reservation of the sacrament for the sick led to the praiseworthy practice of adoring this heavenly food in the churches. This cult of adoration rests upon an authentic and solid basis, especially because faith in the real presence of the Lord leads naturally to external, public expression of that faith.
Other than Holy Communion to the sick and the infirm being the extraordinary way of receiving Holy Communion there are also extreme circumstances such as when the public celebration of the Holy Mass is not possible due to plagues, Pandemics and Wars. By holding a Communion Service outside Holy Mass, the Eucharist can be distributed to the faithful as an extraordinary means and such ways of distribution of Holy Communion is counted under this category. At the request of the faithful the Parish Priest is always ready to give Holy Communion in the Parish whenever he is available.
