Evening star., 1953-01-10
Pope Allows Masses
In Afternoon, Wafer
Before Communion
BY the Assoeiotsd Press


VATICAN CITY, Jan. TO-
Pope Plus today, directed that
conditions for receiving COM
munion and celebrating mass in
the Roman Catholic Church may
be relaxed where necessary to
meet the needs Of modern life..
He issued a new apostolic
constitution" permitting bishops
to authorize afternoon mass after
4 o'clock to accommodate work.
ers who otherwise might not be
able to get to church.
He ruled also that the taking
Of plain water no longer consti-
tutes q breaking Of the fast be-
fore communion, and that in
certain circumstances some
nouriShment. not including alco-
holic liquids, may be taken up
to an hour before communion.
Until now Catholics have been
obliged to abstain from both food
and water from midnight until
receiving the sacrament at COM
munion.
Modern Conditions Cited.
The Pope declared, however.
that persons who are not greatly
inconvenienced should continue
to follow all the old prescriptions
Of the church for receiving COM
munion.
The new regulation was dated
January 6 and went into effect
today.
A Vatican press office sum-
mary said the pontiff was moved
to alter the conditions of the
ancient ritual of communion be-
cause of difficulties in mission
lands and in countries where the
church is being prosecuted, and
because of changes in modern
life, particularly among night
workers, mothers and school
children.
Many workmen," it said, "are
employed in factories, in trans
portation operations, work in
ports or in other public services,
are employed in shifts not only
by day but by night, and there
fore can find themselves in the
need Of taking some nourish-
ment to renew their strength.
In such a way they are i'm
peded from approaching the
Eucharistic table while fasting.
Mothers Duties" Pointed Out.
1T frequently happens, like
wise. that mothers of families
cannot approach the same table
before having attended to do
mestic duties which often de-
mand many hours of work.
Similarly it becomes ex-
tremely difficult for many school
children to go to church, receive
communion and then return
home to take necessary nourish-
ment before going to school,"
There were other considera-
tions Of a general nature, the
summary added, including the
troubles derived from the cruel
wars of this century" which have
weakened the physical consti-
tuition and health of men not a
little"
A specially prepared instruc-
ton from the Supreme Sacred
Congregation of the Holy Office
one of the Vatican's IL bodies
governing church matters-pre-
scribed several points about the
new apostolic constitution.
COnfessors to Give Advice.
The advice of ones confessor
must be sought to obtain dis
pensation from the fast, the in
struction said. Without this ad-
vice no one may avail himself
of the relaxed rule. Inconven-
fences that bring a person within
the new rule include eXhausting
labor or a journey of at least
IA miles on foot in going to
church.
The Pope said particular con-
ditions of the times have intro
duced many grave difficulties
which could lead men away
from participation in the divine
mysteries" Because of these,
the new regulations are being
promulgated.
Catholics believe holy COM
munion-the Eucharist-was in
stituted by Jesus Christ at the
Last Supper and they receive the
body and blood of the Lord in
the sacrament. Some areas in
France already enjoyed the privi-
lege of late masses.
The Right Rev. Philip M. Han
nan, chancellor of the Arch
diocese of Washington. said today
there were no plans under con-
sideration for afternoon mass
here. He said only military in
stallations in the area follow the
practice. The rules on fasting
will become operative as mat
ter of course, he said.
Congress in Brief
Senate and House out of ses-
sion, resume Tuesday.
No major committee meetings