You Can Be Late and Still Receive

This would be a separate question from: “How late can I be for Mass and still fulfill my Sunday obligation?”

In terms of receiving Communion, the Church has very simple requirements:

• Can. 843 §1. Sacred ministers cannot deny the sacraments to those who seek them at appropriate times, are properly disposed, and are not prohibited by law from receiving them.
• Can. 912 Any baptized person not prohibited by law can and must be admitted to holy Communion.

Mass is not required to simply receive Communion. Communion takes places outside of Mass at various times and occasions.

Obviously, during the Communion procession would be an appropriate time to receive the sacrament.

All that is left to fulfill is being properly disposed (i.e., free of mortal sin, fasted for one hour, and spiritually attentive to the sacrament). Being a little late for Mass might not throw off the opportunity to be properly disposed, but being very late could well lead someone to not be properly prepared to receive so great a sacrament. However, there also could be legitimate reasons and exceptions.

We need to reflect on our disposition to receive the true presence of our Lord and make a judgment about whether it is appropriate.