By contrast - and I think I can say this without offending anyone - the one-hour fast is not serious. The motivation for it is obvious enough, to make things easier for the Faithful, but it no longer tells us that the reception of Holy Communion is something to be prepared for with care, and undertaken with fear and trembling. It does not accord with the seriousness implied by the ancient Mass.
Since the decision has been taken by the Holy Father to treat the Traditional Latin Mass, from a legal point of view, as a 'form' of the same Rite as the Novus Ordo, rather than as a separate Rite, it does not make sense to argue for a different, binding discipline for the Eucharistic Fast for Catholics attending the TLM, than for Catholics attending the Novus Ordo. Within this context, we must argue for a revision of the discipline for all Catholics of the Latin Rite. And it seems to us that this is an opportune moment to do just that.
The paper suggests restoring the discipline of 1957. We acknowledge that is not the only solution, and that a discipline in force from 1957 (and partially anticipated in 1953) until 1964 can scarcely be called a long-standing tradition of the Church. We offer it because the 1957 discipline has actually been tried before: older readers may even remember it, the canon law and points of ambiguity have already been thrashed out, and it worked. We would welcome a return to the midnight fast, were this practically possible, but Rorate readers know well just how useful the permission for afternoon and eventing Masses have been for the Traditional movement over the decades. A revised version of the three-hour fast is advocated by the canonist Dr Edward Peters. We would welcome comments on this problem. (There is more commentary on the paper here.)
 |
| Distribution of Communion at the SCT Summer School, July 2012 |
Comments can be sent to positio AT fiuv.org
The next paper, on the Extraordinary Form and Western Culture, will be published on 15th September.
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FIUV
Position Paper: The Eucharistic Fast
1 As well as issues pertaining specifically to
the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite, in respects in which it differs from
the Ordinary Form, the topics of these papers include those which, at least in
principle, apply to the Ordinary Form (such as Liturgical Orientation,[1]
or the Manner of Receiving Communion)[2],
or which apply to the Ordinary Form to some degree (such as Silence,[3]
or Gregorian Chant).[4]
In this paper we address something which is connected with the special
character of the Extraordinary Form, but which applies to all Catholics of the
Latin Rite by virtue of Canon Law, namely the Eucharistic Fast.
A Historical Review of the Fast
2 Tertullian tells us that the Blessed Sacrament
is taken ‘before all other food’.[5]
A fast from midnight is implicit in the practice of celebrating Mass before
dawn, which became established in the second century,[6]
and this fast became widely established,[7]
although in the Middle Ages much longer fasts were often enforced,[8]
not only from food and water, but from marital relations.[9]
The fast was not required of the infirm.[10]
Although contrary to the example of the Last Supper,[11]
feeding of the fasting Faithful is suggested by the strongly Eucharistic
typology of the Feeding of the Five Thousand.[12]
3 The frequency of reception by the Faithful
seems to have declined drastically from the 4th Century, despite
periodic exhortations to the contrary.[13]
A decisive change came with Pope St Pius X, under whom a decree of the Sacred
Congregation of the Council condemned lingering Jansenist errors on the subject
and clarified the conditions for fruitful reception.[14]
Pope St Pius X also encouraged a much earlier time for First Communions, and
introduced more generous dispensations for certain difficult circumstances. Pope Pius XII introduced a fast of three
hours, which was not broken by ‘natural water’ (i.e. water without additives),
at first under various conditions in 1953, and then as a general discipline in
his Motu Proprio Sacram Communionem
(1957),[15]
with generous provision for the ‘infirm’.[16]
4 In 1964 Pope Paul VI reduced the fast to one
hour, to be calculated from the time of reception, for both priests and
faithful;[17]
this rule was reiterated in the 1983 Code of Canon Law.[18]
The Fast and Reverence for the Sacrament
5 Pope Paul VI’s Instruction on Holy Communion, Immensae caritatis (1973) emphasises the
‘supreme reverence due to so great a Sacrament’, and in a footnote to this
phrase gives a long quotation from the Council of Trent, insisting on the
necessity for sacramental confession before reception in case the recipient,
lay or clerical, should be conscious of mortal sin. The quotation begins:
It is unfitting to take part in any sacred function
without holiness. Assuredly, therefore, the more that Christians perceive the
sacredness and divinity of this heavenly sacrament, the more must they take
every care not to come to receive it without reverence and holiness, especially
since we have the frightening words of St. Paul: ‘For those who eat and drink
unworthily, eat and drink damnation to themselves, not discerning the Lord’s
body’ (1 Cor 11:29). Those wishing to receive communion must be reminded of St.
Paul’s command: ‘Let a man examine himself’ (1 Cor 11:28).[19]
6 That irreverence for the Blessed Sacrament has
arisen among the Faithful was noted with deep concern by Blessed Pope John Paul
II in Dominicae Cenae (1980),
where he described two contrasting phenomena. First, while the scrupulosity
which discouraged frequent Communion in former times has largely disappeared,
members of the Faithful neglecting opportunities to receive Holy Communion are
still to be found, due to
a lack of Eucharistic ‘hunger’ and ‘thirst’,
which is also a sign of lack of adequate sensitivity towards the great
sacrament of love and a lack of understanding of its nature.[20]
7 Secondly,
Sometimes, indeed quite frequently, everybody
participating in the eucharistic assembly goes to Communion; and on some such
occasions, as experienced pastors confirm, there has not been due care to
approach the sacrament of Penance so as to purify one’s conscience.[21]
This is the result of a lack of ‘the good
quality of sensitiveness of Christian conscience’.[22]
Pope Benedict XVI has also lamented the second attitude.[23]
8 Both Bl. John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI, in
the passages just noted, go on to discuss the reception of Communion in the
Hand, which they link to the problem of a lack of reverence towards the Blessed
Sacrament. This issue is discussed in another paper.[24]
Our concern here is with the possibility of addressing the problem they
identify by another means: by reconsidering the discipline of the Eucharistic
Fast.
Restoring the discipline of Pope Pius XII
9 Requiring an extended period of fasting before
the reception of Holy Communion is a natural and traditional way to underline
the great significance of the Blessed Sacrament, just as Pope Benedict XVI
talks of marking it with ‘an exclamation point’ by his own practice of giving
it only on the tongue, to kneeling communicants.[25]
It would oblige all the Faithful to think more seriously about receiving,
requiring forethought, and on occasion some limited, but symbolically
expressive, sacrifice. Furthermore, while it will on occasion require some
practical adjustments (to the timing of services or meals, for example), it
does not present the same psychological problem at the moment of reception as
would withdrawal of permission for Communion in the Hand.
1 A fast from midnight is the practice most
hallowed by centuries of observance, but its reimposition today would clearly
create practical difficulties. These would particularly affect those attached
to the Extraordinary Form, which is frequently offered at less than ideal
times, when priests or churches happen to be free. Instead, we would like to suggest
the restoration of the discipline established by Pope Pius XII, of a three hour
fast.
1 The decline in the frequency of reception of Holy
Communion noted in §3 resulted from a deeper appreciation of the supernatural
reality of the Blessed Sacrament, coupled with the development of penitential
discipline. The Eucharistic Fast was also more emphasised, but these fasts were
frequently required before attendance at Mass, at least on Sundays and Feasts, even
if Holy Communion was not received,[26]
so they posed no additional obstacle to reception. More frequent Confession
offered a solution to concerns about the worthiness of communicants, but this required
a degree of infrastructure and catechesis which took time to establish.[27]
1 Pope St Pius X saw the greatest obstacle to
frequent Communion, in the early 20th Century, not as the midnight fast, but in
confusion about the spiritual conditions needed for a worthy reception. Pope
Pius XII’s purpose in changing the rules was not so much to make the fast
easier, but to make Mass at different times of day possible, facilitating its
incorporation into a working or a school day.[28]
1 While the demandingness of Pope Pius XII’s
discipline should not be exaggerated, it would mean that, from time to time,
for practical reasons reception would be difficult or impossible for some
people. This would itself be useful in counteracting the tendency, noted by
both Bl. Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI as noted in paragraph 7 above,
of members of the Faithful approaching Holy Communion just because everyone
else is doing so; indeed, to fail to go forward to receive Holy Communion risks
drawing attention to oneself, or even of giving scandal.[29]
Those unable to receive would instead make a ‘Spiritual Communion’, a practice
encouraged by Bl. Pope John Paul II, who quoted St Teresa’s praise of it,[30]
and again by Pope Benedict XVI,[31]
who asked the participants at the Papal Mass at World Youth Day Madrid to make
a Spiritual Communion when general distribution was impossible.[32]
This practice fosters the ‘hunger and thirst’ for the Eucharist Bl. Pope John
Paul II so desired.
Conclusion
1 Although it might seem a radical proposal, the
restoration of the former discipline would be a relatively simple means of
underlining the value of the Blessed Sacrament, and the importance of
preparation for it. The current problem of casual attitudes towards Holy
Communion demands comprehensive catechesis, and the three-hour fast would itself
be a form of catechesis, something which emphasised the supernatural reality of
the Blessed Sacrament, perhaps more forcefully than a merely verbal
exhortation.
1 It should not be assumed that increasing the
onerousness of the discipline of the Church will lead to a rejection of that
discipline, or even lapsation. A serious form of discipline indicates the
seriousness of the subject of the discipline, and more demanding religions have
frequently attracted more adherents than laxer ones.[33]
A voluntary adoption by members of the Faithful of a more rigorous fast would
not have this catechetical power; nor would it gain merit as an exercise of
obedience. A public campaign to encourage such a voluntary practice might even
invite accusations of Phariseeism.
1 It must be said finally that the current
discipline, of a fast of one hour before reception, scarcely impinges on the
Faithful;[34] as
such it is less likely to be remembered or taken seriously, and insisting upon
a trivial obligation seems less than reasonable.[35]
To restore a proper respect for the Eucharist, an obligation to fast which
demands respect is surely necessary.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Appendix A: Sacra Tridentina Synodus,
a decree of the Sacred Congregation of the
Council, under Pope Pius X, 1905 (extract)
1. Frequent and daily Communion, as a practice most earnestly desired by Christ our Lord and by the Catholic Church, should be open to all the faithful, of whatever rank and condition of life; so that no one who is in the state of grace, and who approaches the Holy Table with a right and devout intention (recta piaque mente) can be prohibited therefrom.
2. A right intention consists in this: that he who approaches the Holy Table should do so, not out of routine, or vain glory, or human respect, but that he wish to please God, to be more closely united with Him by charity, and to have recourse to this divine remedy for his weakness and defects.
3. Although it is especially fitting that those who receive Holy Communion frequently or daily should be free from venial sins, at least from such as are fully deliberate, and from any affection thereto, nevertheless, it is sufficient that they be free from mortal sin, with the purpose of never sinning in the future; and if they have this sincere purpose, it is impossible that daily communicants should not gradually free themselves even from venial sins, and from all affection thereto.
4. Since, however, the Sacraments of the New Law, though they produce their effect ex opere operato, nevertheless, produce a great effect in proportion as the dispositions of the recipient are better, therefore, one should take care that Holy Communion be preceded by careful preparation, and followed by an appropriate thanksgiving, according to each one’s strength, circumstances and duties.
5. That the practice of frequent and daily Communion may be carried out with greater prudence and more fruitful merit, the confessor’s advice should be asked. Confessors, however, must take care not to dissuade anyone from frequent or daily Communion, provided he is found to be in a state of grace and approaches with a right intention.
6. But since it is plain that by the frequent or daily reception of the Holy Eucharist union with Christ is strengthened, the spiritual life more abundantly sustained, the soul more richly endowed with virtues, and the pledge of everlasting happiness more securely bestowed on the recipient, therefore, parish priests, confessors and preachers, according to the approved teaching of the Roman Catechism should exhort the faithful frequently and with great zeal to this devout and salutary practice.
Appendix
B: Sacram Communionem
a
Motu Proprio of Pope Pius XII, 1957 (extract)
1. Ordinaries of places, excluding vicars general who are not in possession of a special mandate, may permit Holy Mass to be celebrated every day after midday, should this be necessary for the spiritual welfare of a considerable number of the faithful.
2. Priests and faithful, before Holy Mass or Holy Communion respectively, must abstain for three hours from solid foods and alcoholic liquids, for one hour from non-alcoholic liquids. Water does not break the fast.
3. From now on, the fast must be observed for the period of time indicated in Number Two, even by those who celebrate or receive Holy Communion at midnight or in the first hours of the day.
4. The infirm, even if not bedridden, may take non-alcoholic liquids and that which is really and properly medicine, either in liquid or solid form, before Mass or Holy Communion without any time limit.
We strongly exhort priests and faithful who are able to do so to observe the old and venerable form of the Eucharistic fast before Mass and Holy Communion. All those who will make use of these concessions must compensate for the good received by becoming shining examples of a Christian life and principally with works of penance and charity.
Appendix
C: the ‘infirm’ in the discipline of Sacrum
Communionem
Sacrum Communionem Section 4, on the ‘infirm’, requires some
interpretation in light of Canon law. While this may seem complicated, it does
illustrate Pope Pius XII’s great concern not to impose any unreasonable burdens
on the Faithful.[36]
i.
The ‘infirm’ are those for whom
the fast imposes a ‘moderately grave’ inconvenience. This may be because of illness,
age, a long journey, a temporary or chronic condition, or for any other reason.
It includes those who are in danger of becoming ill, are about to undergo an
operation, etc., as well as those infirm before Communion, since in both cases
the fast imposes a burden on the individual. Those for whom the fast does not
impose a grave inconvenience are not ‘infirm’ for the purposes of the legislation
(a person with a broken arm, for example).
ii.
‘Non-alcoholic liquids’ includes
those with nutritional value, such as soups. By contrast, the non-infirm under
Section 2 are allowed only ‘drinks’ (taken ‘per modum potus’), for the first
two hours of the fast. Solid food breaks the fast even for the infirm.
iii.
Medicine, even when alcohol is an
ingredient (it is dissolved in alcohol, etc.) does not break the fast. Alcoholic
beverages, even if taken for medicinal purposes on a physician’s orders, do
break the fast.
[1] Positio 5: Liturgical
Orientation
[2] Positio 3: The Manner of
Receiving Communion
[3] Positio 9: Silence in the
Extraordinary Form
[4] Forthcoming.
[5] The phrase ‘ante omnem cibum’,
used by Tertullian (Ad Uxorem II, 5:
PL 1, 1296) could also be translated ‘before every meal’, and it has been
suggested that the Eucharist was taken before meals as an antidote to poison.
See discussions in Fr Alphonse Sammut ‘The Eucharistic Fast in the Light of the
Last Papal Documents’ (Rome: Miscellania Francescana, 1959) pp14-15, and Fr
Joseph Jungmann SJ ‘The Mass of the Roman Rite: Its Origins and Development’
(New York: Benzinger, 1955 (English Edition)) Vol. II p366, note 34. On this
interpretation it would still indicate that Holy Communion was received before,
rather than at the end of, a meal.
[6] An annual exception to the rule
of morning Masses was made, for some centuries, for Maundy Thursday, which
meant that on that day Holy Communion had to be received without fasting: see
for example the Third Council of Carthage (397) canon 29: ‘No-one may celebrate
the sacrament of the Altar unless fasting, except on the one day the Supper of
the Lord is celebrated.’ (‘Ut sacramenta altaris nonnisi a ieiunis hominibus
celebrentur, except uno die in quo coena Domini celebrantur.’) The Council of Braga in 572 condemned this
exception: see Sammut op. cit.
pp28-29.
[7] See St Thomas Aquinas Summa Theologica 3a Pars Q80 a.8 Ad5:
‘That this sacrament ought to enter into the mouth of a Christian before any
other food must not be understood absolutely of all time, otherwise he who had
once eaten or drunk could never afterwards take this sacrament: but it must be
understood of the same day; and although the beginning of the day varies
according to different systems of reckoning (for some begin their day at noon,
some at sunset, others at midnight, and others at sunrise), the Roman Church
begins it at midnight. Consequently, if any person takes anything by way of
food or drink after midnight, he may not receive this sacrament on that day;
but he can do so if the food was taken before midnight.’ (‘cum dicitur, hoc
sacramentum prius quam alii cibi debet mitti in os Christiani, non est
intelligendum absolute respectu totius temporis, alioquin qui semel comedisset
et bibisset, nunquam postea posset hoc sacramentum accipere. Sed est
intelligendum quantum ad eundem diem. Et licet principium diei secundum
diversos diversimode sumatur, nam quidam a meridie, quidam ab occasu, quidam a
media nocte, quidam ab ortu solis diem incipiunt; Ecclesia tamen, secundum
Romanos, diem a media nocte incipit. Et ideo, si post mediam noctem aliquis
sumpserit aliquid per modum cibi vel potus, non potest eadem die hoc sumere
sacramentum, potest vero si ante mediam noctem.’)
[8] Jungmann op. cit. Vol.
II p363-364
[9] Jungmann op. cit. Vol. II p363 note 23
[10] Sammut op. cit. p29; see also below.
[11]
Matthew 26.26: ‘whilst they were at supper, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and
broke: and gave to his disciples, and said: Take ye, and eat. This is my body’;
Mark 14.22: ‘And whilst they were eating, Jesus took bread; and blessing,
broke, and gave to them, and said: Take ye. This is my body.’ Cf. 1 Corinthians
11.18-30, on the connection between the Eucharist and the ‘Agape meal’ in the
primitive Church.
[12] Mark 6.34-44, Luke 9.11-17, John
6.4-13
[13] Jungmann op. cit. Vol.
II pp360-362
[14] Sacred Congregation for the
Implementation of the Council of Trent, Decree Sacra Tridentina Synodus, (1905): see Appendix A.
[15] See Appendix B.
[16] See Appendix C.
[17] 21 November 1964 Tempus Eucharistici ieiunii servandi
reducitur, (AAS 57 (1965) 186): ‘In view of the difficulties felt in many
countries concerning the Eucharistic fast, the Supreme Pontiff, graciously
acceding to the petitions of the Bishops, grants that the fast from solid foods
be reduced to one hour before Communion, for both priests and the faithful. In
this grant is included also the use of alcoholic drinks, observing, however,
due moderation.’ (‘Attentis multarum regionum difficultatibus quoad ieiunium eucharisticum, Summus Pontifex,
petitionibus Episcoporum benigne annuens, concedit ut ieiunium quoad cibos
solidos reducatur ad unam horam ante Sanctam Communionem, et quidem tum pro
sacerdotibus tum pro fidelibus. In hac autem concessione includitur quoque
potuum alchoolicorum usus, servata tamen debita moderatione.’) Osservatore Romano, 4 December 1964, 2.
[18] 1983 Code of Canon Law, Canon 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.’ (“Sanctissimam Eucharistiam recepturus per spatium saltem unius
horae ante sacram communionem abstineat a quocumque cibo et potu, excepta
tantummodo aqua atque medicina.”)
[19] Council of Trent, sess. 13, cap.
7: ‘Si non decet ad sacras ullas functiones quempiam accedere nisi sancte,
certe, quo magis sanctitas et divinitas cœlestis hujus sacramenti viro
Christiano comperta est, eo diligentius cavere ille debet, ne absque magna
reverentia et sanctitate ad id percipiendum accedat, præsertim cum illa plena
formidinis verba apud apostolum legamus: Qui manducat et bibit indigne,
judicium sibi manducat et bibit, non dijudicans corpus Domini. Quare
communicare volenti revocandum est in memoriam ejus præceptum: Probet autem
seipsum homo.’
[20] Bl. Pope John Paul II Letter
(1980) Dominicae Cenae 11: ‘deficiente
“fame” et “siti” eucharistica, sub qua latet similiter parum sufficiens
aestimatio atque intellegentia ipsius naturae huius excellentis Sacramenti
amoris.’
[21] Ibid: ‘Interdum scilicet, immo
compluribus in casibus, cuncti eucharisticae celebrationis participes ad
communionem accedunt, tametsi nonnumquam - ut comprobant periti rerum pastores
- habita non est debita cura, ut prius Paenitentiae Sacramentum reciperent
propriam ad conscientiam mundandam.’
[22] Ibid: ‘bonum quod subtilitas est
christianae conscientiae impulsae.’
[23] Peter Seewald and Pope Benedict
XVI ‘The Light of the World: the
Pope, the Church and the Signs of the Times’ (London: Catholic Truth Society,
2010) p156: ‘There is a great danger of superficiality [in the reception of Holy
Communion] precisely in the kinds of mass events we hold at St Peter’s... In
this context, where people think that everyone is just automatically supposed
to receive Communion—everyone else is going up, so I will, too—I wanted to send
a clear signal... This is not just some social ritual in which we can take part
if we want to.’ Cf. the quotation from Pope Benedict XVI’s Post-Synodal
Exhortation Sacramentum Caritatis
(2007) in note 25 below.
[24] Positio 4: The Manner of
Receiving Communion, esp. 5-8
[25] Seewald and Pope Benedict op. cit. p156
[26] Jungmann Vol II p366: ‘All
through the Middle Ages the precept of fasting was not only strictly adhered to
with regard to Holy Communion, but was even repeatedly prescribed for
attendance at Mass (as in a synod of Brixen as late as 1453), or at least it
was counselled for Mass.’ This is less surprising when one considers the great
significance ascribed to gazing on the Host and to Spiritual Communions,
discussed by Jungmann in the preceding pages, in the context of very infrequent
Sacramental Communion. Cf. Eamon Duffy
‘The Stripping of the Altars: Traditional religion in England c.1400-c.1580’
(New Haven: Yale, 1992): on fasting before Mass, p42; ‘Seeing the Host’ pp95-102.
[27] Duffy notes the great
organisational and catechetical effort required to implement the decision of
Lateran IV (1215) that all Catholics should confess and communicate once a
year. The existence of the mendicant orders was an enormous help in making this
possible, and the development of the parochial system in the preceding
centuries was essential: Duffy op. cit.
pp53-56; 93-94. Cf. Jungmann Vol II p363: ‘But in the Middle Ages, with the
prevailing parish restrictions and the often insufficient organization of the
cure of souls, not only was there no willingness, but to a great extent there
was no possibility to confess and thus to communicate frequently.’
[28] Sammut op. cit. p101: ‘Evening Masses were beyond doubt the greatest
benefit and the most extensive concession issuing from the documents [sc. Christus Dominus (1953) and Sacram Communionem (1957)].’ The
three-hour fast facilitated reception at Masses which had to be scheduled after
breakfast, such as at day schools and the main Masses in Parishes, as well as
evening Masses.
[29] Dr Edward Peters “The Communion
Fast: a Reconsideration” Antiphon
11.3 (2007) pp234-244, p243: the current short fast ‘deprives those with
troubled consciences of an unobtrusive way to avoid approaching the Body and
Blood of the Lord in a state that risks profanation (1 Cor 11:27).’
[30] Bl. John Paul II Encyclical Ecclesia de Eucharistia (2003) 34: ‘it
is good to cultivate in our hearts a constant desire for the sacrament of the
Eucharist. This was the origin of the practice of “spiritual communion”, which
has happily been established in the Church for centuries and recommended by
saints who were masters of the spiritual life. Saint Teresa of Jesus wrote:
“When you do not receive communion and you do not attend Mass, you can make a spiritual
communion, which is a most beneficial practice; by it the love of God will be
greatly impressed on you” ’ (‘opportunum est continuatum Sacramenti
eucharistici desiderium alere. Inde “communionis spiritualis” orta est
consuetudo, quae feliciter complura iam saecula in Ecclesia viget quaeque a
vitae spiritalis Sanctis magistris commendatur. Sancta Teresia a Iesu scripsit:
“Cum communionem non sumitis neque Missae estis participes potestis
spiritaliter communicare, id quod est valde frugiferum... Sic Domini nostri
amor multum in vobis imprimatur” ’) (The
internal quotation from St Teresa comes from her ‘Camino de Perfección’ Ch 35)
[31] Pope Benedict XVI Post-Synodal
Exhortation Sacramentum Caritatis
(2007) 55: ‘Clearly, full participation in the Eucharist takes place when the
faithful approach the altar in person to receive communion. Yet true as this
is, care must be taken lest they conclude that the mere fact of their being
present in church during the liturgy gives them a right or even an obligation to
approach the table of the Eucharist. Even in cases where it is not possible to
receive sacramental communion, participation at Mass remains necessary,
important, meaningful and fruitful. In such circumstances it is beneficial to
cultivate a desire for full union with Christ through the practice of spiritual
communion, praised by Pope John Paul II and recommended by saints who were
masters of the spiritual life.’ (‘Sine dubio plena participatio Eucharistiae
habetur cum quis accedit etiam personaliter ad altare Communionis recipiendae
gratia.(169) Attamen cavendum est ne haec iusta affirmatio forsitan introducat
inter fideles quendam automatismum, quasi quispiam ob solam praesentiam in
ecclesia, liturgiae tempore, ius habeat, vel forsitan etiam officium, ad Mensam
eucharisticam accedendi. Etiam cum non datur facultas ad sacramentalem
communionem accedendi, participatio Sanctae Missae manet necessaria, valida,
significans et fructuosa. Bonum est his in rerum adiunctis desiderium plenae
cum Christo coniunctionis colere per consuetudinem exempli gratia communionis
spiritalis, memoratae a Ioanne Paulo II et commendatae a Sanctis vitae
spiritalis moderatoribus.’) The passage refers to Bl. John Paul II Ecclesia de Eucharistia (2003) 34,
quoted in the preceding note.
[32] After a storm had rendered unsafe many of the tents
used to store consecrated hosts for distribution at the Papal Mass due to take
place on 21st August 2011, only a fraction of the congregation, of
over a million people, were able to receive Holy Communion. The others were
encouraged to make a Spiritual Communion. The Vatican spokesman Fr Frederico
Lombardi later commented: ‘This helped
us to remember the precious words from a recent document by the Pope, which
warn that, “Care must be taken lest [the faithful] conclude that the mere fact
of their being present in church during the liturgy gives them a right or even
an obligation to approach the table of the Eucharist. Even in cases where it is
not possible to receive sacramental Communion, participation at Mass remains
necessary, important, meaningful and fruitful.” In these circumstances we have
to “cultivate the desire for full union with Christ,” by making ‘spiritual
Communion’ as ancient and beautiful tradition puts it. …the intense desire to
be united with Him is also an effective source of communion.’ Zenit, 4th
September 2011.
[33] Mark
van Vugt and Anjana Ahuja
‘Selected: Why some people lead, why others follow,
and why it matters’ (London: High Profile Books, 2010) p85 ‘Paradoxically, the costlier the rituals
associated with a belief system, the more enduring it is. One study of
religious communes in 19th century America showed that those making the most
extreme demands on their followers—giving up worldly goods, celibacy, shunning
contact with outsiders, relinquishing certain foods and alcohol—were the most
enduring.’ The authors cite a number of studies bearing out this
generalisation.
[34] Cf. Dr Edward Peters op. cit. p241: ‘If, as a millennium and
a half suggest, some significant level of corporal fasting is conducive to the
worthy reception of the Eucharist, it must be frankly admitted that such a
state cannot be accomplished in one hour’s time.’ Dr Peters goes on to suggest
(p243) that a three-hour fast be restored, but calculated from the start of
Mass, for the sake of certainty about when the fast needs to begin.
[35] Dr Peters ibid. p236: ‘Pointless observances should not be the subject of
legislation lest contempt for the law arise.’
[36] For a full treatment, see Sammut
op. cit. pp116-7, and pp83-88.
