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

of the Eucharist and nouriSh them
selves with the divine food.
Furthermore, since the introduc-
tion of machines for every sort of
use, it very often happens that
many workers-in factories, or in
the land and water transportation
fields, or in other public utility
serviceS-are employed not only
during the day, but even during
the night, in alternate shifts. AS a
result, their weakened condition
compelS them at times to take some
nourishment. But, in this way they
are prevented from approaching
the Eucharist fasting
Mothers also are often unable to
approach the Eucharist before they
take care of their household duties,
duties that demand of them many
hours of work.
In the same way it happens that
there are many boys and girls in
school who desire TO respond to the
divine invitation: Let the little
children come to me-" Mark 10,
14 They are entirely, confident
that He who dwells among the lii
les" will protect their innocence
of soul and purity of life against
the enticements to which youth is
subjected, the Snares of the world.
But at times it is most difficult for
them, before going to school, TO go
to church and be n0urished with
the Bread of Angels and then re-
turn home to partake of the food
they need.
Furthermore, it should be noted
that it often happens, at the pres
ent time, that great crowds OF peo-
pie travel from one place to an
other in the afternoon hours to
take part in religious celebrations
or TO hold meetings on social ques-
tions. Now, ii on these occasions
il were allowed to offer the Eucha-
riStic Sacrifice, which is the living
Fruit of divine grace and which
commands our will to burn with
the desire of acquiring virtue, there
is no doubt that strength could be
drawn from this by which all would
be stirred profoundly to think and
act in Christian manner and to
obey legitimate laws.
To these special considerations
it seems oppOrtune TO add some
which have reference to all Al
though in our days medical science
and that study which is called hy-
giene have made great progress
and have helped greatly to cut
down the number of deaths, espe-
cially among the young, neverthe-
less conditions of life at the pres
ent time and the hardships which
flow from tn cruel wars of this
century are of such nature that
they have greatly weakened bodily
constitution and health.
For these reasons. and especially
so that renewed piety towards the
Eucharist may be all the more
readily increased many Bishops
from various countries have asked,
i'm official letters, that this law of
fast be somewhat mitigated. Actual
ly, the Apostolic See has kindly
granted special faculties and per-
missions, in this regard, to both
priests and faithful. As regards
these concessions, we can cite the
Decree, entitled, Post Editlim, Civ.
en- for the sick by the Sacred Con-
gregation of the Council, Decem-
ber 7, 1906 (Actd S. SediS, XXXIX,
p 603 ff); and the Letter of the
22nd of May, 1923, from the Sacred
Congregation of the Holy Office to
the local 0rdinaries in favor of
priests IS. S. Congregations S. Of
ficii Litterae Locorum 0rdinariis
datae super ieiunio eucharistieo
ante Nissan: AAS, XIV, p. Isl If. J.
In these latter days, the petitions
of the Bishops have become more
frequent and urgent, and the facul
/ ties granted were more ample
especially those that were bestow
ed in view of the war. This, with
out doubt, clearly indicates that
there are new and grave reasons
reasons that are not occasional bu
rather general. because of which
it is very difficult. in these diver
sified circumstances, both for th'
priest to celebrate the Eucharisti
Sacrifice. and for the faithful t,
receive the Bread of Angels fast
ing.