The Catholic times. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1951-current, 1953-01-23
Text On Discipline For Eucharistic Fast

dor of the divine worship, which
has often been made evident in
public popular demonstrations. The
careful directions of Sovereign
Pontiffs have doubtless contributed
a great deal TO this effect, and
especially that of the Blessed Plus
X who. Summ0ning all to renew
the primitive custom of the
Church, urged them to receive the
Bread of Angels very frequently,
even daily if possible IS. C0ngr.
Concilii, Decretum "Sacra Triden-
tina Synodus," Dec. 20, 1905. Actd
S. Sedis, XXXVIII, 400 ff). Invit-
ing the little ones to this heavenly
food, he wisely decreed that the
precept of holy Confession and Ho-
ly Communion has reference TO eV-
cry one Of those who have reached
the use OF reason IS, Congr. de
Sac, Decretum Guam singulari,
Aug 8, 1910: AAS, IL, SIT ff). This
same rule is prescribed in the Code
of Canon Law (CIC, can. 1863; cf.
can. 854, 81. The faithful respond
ing generously and willingly to
these directions of the Sovereign
Pontiffs, have approached ever
more frequently 10 the sacred Ia
BILE. May this hunger for the heav-
enly Bread and the thirst for the
Sacred Blood burn in all men of
every age and of every walk of
life!
1t should nevertheless be noted
that the times in which we live and
their peculiar conditions have
brought many notifications in the
habits of society and in the actiyi-
ties of common life Out of these
there may arise serious Difficult
ties which could keep men from
partaking of the divine mysteries
If the law of the Eucharistic fast
is TO be observed in the way in
which il had to be observed up to
the present time.
In the first place, 1t is evident
TO all that today the clergy are not
sufficiently numerous to cope with
the increasingly serious needs of
the faithful. Especially on feast
days they are subject to overwork,
when they have to offer the Eucha-
ristic Sacrifice at late hour and
frequently twice or three times the
same day, and when at times they
are forced to travel great dis
tance so as not to leave consider
able portions OF their fl0eks with
out Holy Mass Such firing apostol-
ic work undoubtedly weakens the
health of priests. This is all the
more true because, over and above
the offering OF the Holy Mass and
the explanation OF the Gospel, they
must likewise hear confessions,
give catechetical instruction. de-
vote ever-increaslng care and take
ever more pains IN completing the
duties of the other parts of their
ministry. They must also diligently
look after those matters that are
demanded by the warfare against
God and His Church, warfare
that has grown SO widespread and
bitter at the present time.
Now our mind and heart 60 out
to those especially who, working
far from their own native country
in far distant lands, have generous
ly answered the invitation and the
command of the Lord Go, there
fore. and make disciples of all ma
tions." Matt. %, l9l We are speak.
ing of the heralds of the Gospel
who. overcoming the most difficult
and multitudinous labors and all
manner of difficulty in travelling,
strive with all their might to have
the light of the Christian religion
illumine all. and to nourish their
/ flocks. who but very recently re-
ceived the Catholic faith, with the
Bread of Angels which nourlShes
/ virtue and fosters piety.
/ Almost in the same situation are
those Catholics who, living in many
localities cared for by Catholic mis-
sionaries, or who, living in other
places and not having among then
their own priests, must wait untl
late hour for the coming OF an
other priest that they may partak'