'STAND FAST IN THE FAITH'

New Zealand Tablet, 14 August 1913, Page 3

'STAND FAST IN THE FAITH'

(A Weekly Instruction specially written for the N.Z. * - : Tablet by 'Ghimel'.) _ FREQUENT AND DAILY COMMUNION—HI. The first three disciplinary points of the Decree deal with the dispositions and conditions required for frequent or even daily Communion. The question, long debated, as to what is necessary and what is sufficient for frequent Communion is here definitely settled. It is not required.that one be far on the road to holiness: all that is absolutely necessary, and all that is sufficient, in order that one may go and go quite lawfully to Holy Communion, is that one be in the state of grace, and have a right and devout intention. But while this much is sufficient for a worthy Communion, it is by no means all that is desirable, or all that is sufficient if one wishes to make a thoroughly good Communion The Decree does not for a moment dispense the recipient' from a 'serious preparation and a suitable thanksgiving.' This will appear from the following declaration: 'But whereas the Sacraments of the New Law, though they take effect ex opere operate [a technical expression which means that the Sacraments, once obstacles are removed, always produce some fruit], nevertheless produce a greater effect in proportion as the dispositions of the recipient are better; therefore, care is to be taken that Holy Communion be preceded by serious preparation, and followed by a suitable thanksgiving according to each one's strength, circumstances, and duties* (No. 4). Dispositions of soul, we may point out with Father Zulueta, would include the practice of such virtues as humility, faith, love of God and of our neighbor, the exercise of acts of confidence, adoration, faith, and so on Vocal prayers, or meditations on other truths of religion, may be directed towards the Blessed Eucharist If ' circumstances and duties ' call to other work that work may easily be made a prayer, and so ' these' good iolk need have no scruple whatever when the duties assigned to them by obedience prevent that entire recollection and fuller immediate preparation that may . be possible to others. They are doing our Lord's will —a good prelude to receiving the Model of obedient labor in the House of Nazareth.' 'To the sick in a community,' writes Zulueta, tlie gratification "according to each one's strength" will bring very real consolation. If, as Monseigneur de begur wrote about children communicants, "our Lord does not require of them more than they can give, the same is certainly true of the religious [we may add, and of those in the world] whose faculties are weakened by sickness, or by advanced age and who have sacrificed health and the best year's of Hie, in the love and service of the Divine Spouse—albeit with many shortcomings. The submission of such to His divine will in their trials and sufferings will form a most appropriate, and at the same time, most fruitful disposition for receiving abundant graces irom His loving and generous heart.' s.—' That the practice of frequent and daily Communion may be carried out with greater prudence and more abundant merit, the confessor's advice should be asked Confessors, however, are to be careful not to dissuade anyone from frequent and daily Communion, with' «ri If - h t V U ? State ° f S race ' and a « e * with a right intention.' rfo-i 6 "~' Ut since it is plain that, by the frequent or daily reception of the Holy Eucharist, union with Christ is fostered, the spiritual life more abundantly sustained, the soul more richly endowed with virtues, and an even surer pledge of everlasting happiness on the recipient; therefore parish priests, confessors and . preachers-m accordance with the approved teaching of the Roman Catechism (Part ii., ch. 4 n 63)—are ; e ffi and with great zeal, to exhort the faithful to tins devout and salutary practice ' of tUfi S f ond f th6Se P T ts and the latt€r Portion of the first are clear enough, and in any case concern '

-the ; confessor more than the layman; a word then about the opening part of No. 5. Frequent or even daily Communion is open to all, ;■- and • therefore if; one felt sure of having fulfilled all the requirements, one could quite safely receive frequently without asking advice; but if one wishes to act more prudently who would not wish to act most prudently in a matter of such importance ?—and to receive greater fruit, the advice of one's confessor should be asked. Why, it may be asked? The mere fact of seeking advice is an act of salutary humility, and that is an excellent disposition: Lord, I am not worthy.' . Again, it is an obvious precautionary-measure, which enables a man to find out whether it is a good and holy motive that leads him to wish for Communion, or whether it is vainglory, mere custom, human respect, or some other human and "natural" impulse.' There are times when the confessor sees, though the penitent may not see, that the requisite conditions are not, present, and then it becomes his duty to prevent daily Communion. Furthermore, this consultation gives the confessor an excellent opportunity of offering sound advice as to the manner in which the penitent may derive greater profit from the Blessed Eucharist. Nos. 7 and 8 of the Decree treat more directly of the position of religious communities, and explain themselves. - 'Frequent and daily Communion is to be promoted especially in religious Orders and Congregations of all kinds. _ . . It is also to be promoted especially in ecclesiastical seminaries, where students are preparing for the service~of the altar; as also in all Christian establishments, of whatever kind, for the training of youth.' 'ln the case of religious institutes, whether of solemn or simple vows, in whose rules or constitutions or calendars Communion is assigned to certain fixed days, such regulations are to be regarded as directive and not preceptive. In such cases the appointed number of Communions should be regarded as a minimum, and not as setting a limit to the devotion of the religious. Therefore, freedom of access to the Euchanstic table, whether more frequently or daily must always be allowed them/ according to the principles above laid down in this Decree. And in order that all religious of both sexes may clearly understand the provisions of this Decree, the Superior of each house is to see that it is read in community, in the vernacular, every year, within the octave of the feast of Corpus Christi.' r