The Catholic times. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1951-current, 1953-01-23

dults may not lead to inconsistent
practice. We have deemed it neces-
sary to lay down the discipline of
the EuchariStic fast, by. mitigating
it in such a way that. in the great
est manner possible, all, in view of
the peculiar circumstances of time,
place. and the faithful, may be able
to fulfill this law more easily. We,
by this decree, trust that We may
be able to add not a little to the
increase of Eucharistic piety, and
in this way to move and stir up all
to partake at the Table of the An
gels. This, without doubt, viii in
crease the glory of God and the ho-
illness of the Mystical Body of
Christ.
BY Our Apostolic authority We
decree and command all the fol-
lowing:
Rule |. The law of the Eucharis-
tic fast from midnight continues
in force for all of those who do
not come under the special condi-
tions which We are going to set
forth in this Apostolic Letter. In
the future it shall be general and
common principle for all, both
priests and faithful, that natural
water does not break the Eucha-
ristic fast.
Rule n. The sick, even when
they are not confined to bed, can,
on the prudent advice of a confes-
sor. take something in the form of
beverage or of true medicine. This
does not hold for alcoholic bever-
ages. The same faculty is given
to sick priests who are going to say
Mass.
Rule III. Priests who are going
10 say Mass a. late hours, or after
onerous work of the sacred minis
try, or after a long journey, can
take something by way of beverage.
They cannot take alcoholic bever-
ages. They should abstain, how
ever. for the space OF one hour be-
fore they say Mass.
Rule w. Those who say Mass
twice or three times can consume
the ablutions. In such cases, how
ever. the ablution must be made
with water alone, not with wine.
Rule v. Likewise the faithful,
even those not sick, who by reason
of some serious inconvenience
that is, by reason Of firing work, by
reason of the late hours at which
alone il is possible for them to at
tend Mass. or by reason of long
Journey which they must take
could not approach the Eucharisuc
table completely fasting, can, on
the advice of prudent confesSor
while the need lasts, take some.
thing to drink, to the exclusion OF
alcoholic beverages, but they must
abstain at least for the space oil
one hour before they are nourished
by the Bread of Angels.
Rule vi. If the circumstance
calls for il as necessary, We grant
10 the local Ordinaries the right to
hermit the celebration of Mass II
the evening as we said, but in sucf
wise that the Mass shall not beglr
before four o'clock in the after
noon. on holy days of obligation
still observed. on those which for
merly were observed, on the frs
Friday of every month, and also or
those days on which solemn cele
brations are held with large at
tendance. and also, in addition tt
these days, on one day week
with the requirement that the
priest observe a fast of three hours
from solid food and alcoholic
beverages and of one hon
from nonalcoholic bever
AGES. AT these Masses the faith
fui may approach the Holy Table
observing the same rule as regards
the Eucharistic fast, the presump
ton of Canon 857 remaining il
force.
In mission territories, in con
sideration of the very unusual con
dltions there prevailing, on account
of which it often happens tha
there are only few priests to visi
the distant missions, the local Or
d;naries can grant to the preacher
Of the Gospel faculties to celebrate
evening Masses on other days o.
tie week also.
Local Ordinaries shall CAREFUL.
see that every Interpretation II
avoided that would stretch thes'
faculties and that all abuse and If
reverence in this matter Is pre-
vented. For in granting these fac
ulties which the conditions of per
sons, places and times demand to
day, We ardently desire to empha
size the force and the value of thu
Eucharistic fast for those who arr
to receive our Divine Redeemel
hidden under the Eucharistic wells
Besides. as often as the inconven
ience of the body is diminished, tn,
soul must supply as far as it can
either by internal penance or b,
other means. in accordance witt
the traditional custom of th'
Church which is wont to commant
other works to be done when ii init
igateS the fast. Hence. those VIII
may enjoy the faculties granted il
this matter should raise ferven
prayers to heaven to adore God, t,
thank him. and especially to eS
plate for sins and beg Him for ney
heavenly aid Since all must recos
nize that the Eucharist has bee
instituted as the permanent mt