The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1913-03-29
Qualifications.

Given that reason has begun to
work, neither good knowledge of the
Catechism, nor any special qualities
of character or disposition are to be
awaited before admitting the child to
Holy Communion. The child need only
know the essential truths of religion
the Trinity, the Incarnation and death
of Our Lord, and that God rewards
the just and Furnishes the wicked. If,
besides, the child be able to distin-
guish the spiritual food of the Euchar
list from bodily nourishment, his
necessary mental equipment for Com
munion is complete. And being I'M
doubtedly fit to receive it, he is bound
like other Catholics to 10 so. 1t is
not even laid down that children must
be able to recite by heart ordinary
prayers, such as the "Our Father"
Hail Mary" etc. How slight, then,
are the conditions for the Easter Com
munion of children! Yet one finds
certain parents still clinging to mis-
taken ideas, in vogue during their own
childhood, and-regardless of Papal
rulings-keeping the little ones back
from their Heavenly Food on various
pretexts. Mary is too Eighty; John
MES character is unsatisfactory; he
will know better what he is about in
year or two. Or, Willie's First Com
munion is delayed for some sentiment
al reason-that it may coincide with
some family event or celebration; that
his favorite "Auntie," detained for
the present in some distant land, may
be able to assist at it; or, again, that
some relative, not yet due for ordina-
ton. may administer it, etc. And so
the wretched child is made to neglect
it's Easter Duties and lose months, or
perhaps years, of rich Sacramento
graces which continued approach to
the Holy Table, would have secured
for him. And who knows but that
these graces may be sorely needed for
preserving their innocence? Thus the
designs of the Divine Lover of chill
dren is hampered by the fanciful
theories of those in charge of the
young. Much of the above, no doubt,
is done out of a motive of reverence
But reverence for Christ, involving
disregard of laws fixed by His Church
can be but spurious form of that vir
tue. The principle laid down in the
earlier Decree, "On Daily Commun
ion," is ignored: viz, that the CHIEF
purpose for which the Holy Eucharist
was instituted is mot that the honour
and reverence due to Our Lord may
be safeguarded," but that the souls
need of strength, for combating temp
tation should be supplied. Hence,
wrote the Bishop of Bayonne, eve
ought not to be over anxious about the
reverence due to God in this angus
Sacrament; we should consider frs
the child's need of this Divine Food.
Why should pious people be staggered
by such words? What else did the!
themselves learn, as children, in thei
Penny catechism? Why has Chris
given Himself to us in the Hol.
, Eucharist? Christ has given Himsel
to be the life and food of on
souls. He that eateth Me, the SAM
shall live by Me- etc. :.
Nothing about being reverenced. Sc
too, the only reason, given by Piu
x Cart. 4, ION Daily Communion }
for preparation and thanksgiving
2 the greater effect or good to til
, communicant-not greater reverence
: Not but that reverence is due" an
{ to be paid; but it is not to be mad
: the governing principle of our use q