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

lAonllnueu from rage ~
by which our soul is fed and its
holiness increased. Hence the same
st. Augustine gives this warning:
1T has pleased the Holy Ghost
that, to honor so great a Saers-
ment the Lords Body should en-
ter the mouth of the Christian be-
fore other food" (St Augustine,
Toe. cit)
Not only does the EuchHistie
fast pay due honor TO our Divine
Redeemer, il fosters plety also; and
hence it can help TO increase in us
those most salutary fruits of holi-
ness which Christ the Source and
Author Of all good, wishes us who
are enriched by His grace to bring
forth.
Moreover, everyone with expert
enee will recognize that, by the
very laws OF human nature, when
the body is not weighted down by
food the mind more easily is lifted
up and is by a more ardent virtue
moved TO mediate upon that hid
den and transcendent Mystery that
works in the soul, as in temple,
to the increase of divine charity.
The solicitude of the Church for
the preservation OF the Eucharistlc
fast may be perceived also from
the fact that the Church, in decree
ing this fast, imposed serious pen
altieS for its violation. Thus the
Seventh Council of Toledo in the
year GAG threatened with eXcom-
munication anyone who should say
mass after having broken his fast
(Conc. Toilet. VII, cap. 2. ManSi, X,
1867. In the year 572 the Third
Council OF Braga Gone, Bracar Ill,
can. 10; MdHSi. TX. 84D, and IN
the year 585 the Second Council of
Macon Gone. Matiscon. ii, can. d:
Mdnsi, TX. 952) had already pro
nounced that anyone who incurred
this guilt should be deposed from
his office and deprived Of mis-
honofS.
As time went by, however, ON
careful consideration il was some
times Judged opportune because OF
particular circumstances TO relax
in some measure this law of fast
ing as il affected the faithful. So it
is that the Council of Constance,
in the year l4l5, while confirm
ing the venerable law of fasting,
somewhat moderated it. ." the
authority OF the sacred eanons and
the praiseworthy and approved Gus
tom of the Church have observed
and do observe the following: that
Mass should not be said after the
celebfant has taken food, nor
should Holy Communion be recelv-
ed by the faithful without fasting,
unless in case OF illness OF OF some
other necessity conceded or admit
ted by right or by the church"
tConc. Constant SeSs. XIII: MafeSt,
XXNll, 727).
II has pleased Us TO recall these
things so that all may understand
that We, despite the fact that new
conditions OF the times and of al
fairs have moved Us to grant not a
few faculties and favorS on this
subject, still wish through this
Apostolic Letter TO confirm the
supreme force of the law and Gus
tom dealing with the EuchariStlc
fast; and that We wish also TO adj
monish those who are able to OBJ
serve same law that they should
continue diligently TO observe 1t, so
that only those who need these con
cessions can enjoy them according
TO the nature of heir need.
We are most effectively consoled
and il is right TO speak OF this
here. even though brlefly-when
We see that devotion to the Bless
ed Sacrament of the Altar is in
creaSing day by day, not only IN
the souls of the faithful, but also
in what has to do with the splen