Receiving Holy Communion Daily

[TeresaBenedicta]

This is something that has been on my mind lately... do you think it's appropriate to receive holy Communion on a daily basis? It seems to be a relatively new 'fad'. In the past, it was very rare and only under the direction of a knowledgeable spiritual director that one would receive daily. Now it seems to be fairly common and people tend to receive any time they are at Mass.

Is this a good thing? Does it reflect a certain cultural attitude towards the Holy Eucharist? Should one be careful about approaching holy Communion too often?

What do you guys think?

[Noel's angel]

Daily Communion is the most wonderful gift we could wish for. The only thing that should stop a person receiving Communion on a daily basis, is being in a state of mortal sin. How could it be a bad thing otherwise?

[TeresaBenedicta]

[quote name='Noel's angel' post='1560021' date='Jun 5 2008, 06:47 PM']Daily Communion is the most wonderful gift we could wish for. The only thing that should stop a person receiving Communion on a daily basis, is being in a state of mortal sin. How could it be a bad thing otherwise?[/quote]

I'm not sure-- that's why I brought up this topic. It seems that some of the Saints frowned on the practice unless one was given permission by a spiritual director. St. John of the Cross, for one. And I know St. Dominic Savio had to be told to receive daily. There are others, although I can't think of specifics of where I've read it.

They must've had a good reason to think such, right?

[Noel's angel]

As long as one didn't become complacent about receiving Our Lord, I can see no problem. Holy Communion daily, imo can only increase our love for Him.

SACRA TRIDENTINA
On Frequent and Daily Reception of Holy Communion
Pope St. Pius X
The Holy Council of Trent, having in view the ineffable riches of grace which are offered to the faithful who receive the Most Holy Eucharist, makes the following declaration: "The Holy Council wishes indeed that at each Mass the faithful who are present should communicate, not only in spiritual desire, but sacramentally, by the actual reception of the Eucharist." These words declare plainly enough the wish of the Church that all Christians should be daily nourished by this heavenly banquet and should derive therefrom more abundant fruit for their sanctification.

Moreover, we are bidden in the Lord's Prayer to ask for "our daily bread" by
which words, the holy Fathers of the Church all but unanimously teach, must be understood not so much that material bread which is the support of the body as the Eucharistic bread which ought to be our daily food.

Moreover, the desire of Jesus Christ and of the Church that all the faithful should daily approach the sacred banquet is directed chiefly to this end, that the faithful, being united to God by means of the Sacrament, may thence derive strength to resist their sensual passions, to cleanse themselves from the stains of daily faults, and to avoid these graver sins to which human frailty is liable; so that its primary purpose is not that the honor and reverence due to our Lord may be safe-guarded, or that it may serve as a reward or recompense of virtue bestowed on the recipients. Hence the Holy Council calls the Eucharist "the antidote whereby we may be freed from daily faults and be preserved from mortal sin."

The whole thing is definitely worth reading as it talks about how some began to think that many people were receiving Communion when they shouldn't etc.
[url="http://www.ewtn.com/library/CURIA/CDWFREQ.HTM"]http://www.ewtn.com/library/CURIA/CDWFREQ.HTM[/url]

Edited June 5, 2008 by Noel's angel

[AccountDeleted]

[quote name='TeresaBenedicta' post='1560074' date='Jun 5 2008, 04:21 PM']I'm not sure-- that's why I brought up this topic. It seems that some of the Saints frowned on the practice unless one was given permission by a spiritual director. St. John of the Cross, for one. And I know St. Dominic Savio had to be told to receive daily. There are others, although I can't think of specifics of where I've read it.

They must've had a good reason to think such, right?[/quote]

I don't mean to be challenging, but are you able to provide us with a quote where St John of the Cross advises against frequent communion? I know that he refused communion to a nun who was complacent about receiving the Eucharist, but I wasn't aware of anything he said that would indicate he "frowned on the practice" of frequent reception. In fact, one of his greatest trials in prison was that he was unable to receive the Eucharist. You could be right, and if so, I would be interested in reading his opinion on this because he is one of my favorite saints. Thanks.

[CatherineM]

I found being able to go to daily mass very helpful. I wish I could go more often.

[Autumn Dusk]

Daily mass is good, but it may not be spiritually healthy for all individuals. Why? Well some people fall into scruples and such and only a spiritual advisor can really decide what is best for them. 99% of people are probably fine, but it makes it impossible to make a sweeping generalization that EVERYONE would do better with Daily Mass.

[StColette]

St Josemaria Escriva

The Way, 534

Going to Communion every day for so many years! Anybody else would be a saint by now, you told me, and I... I'm always the same!

Son, I replied, keep up your daily Communion, and think: what would I be if I had not gone?

[TeresaBenedicta]

[quote name='nunsense' post='1560181' date='Jun 5 2008, 08:17 PM']I don't mean to be challenging, but are you able to provide us with a quote where St John of the Cross advises against frequent communion? I know that he refused communion to a nun who was complacent about receiving the Eucharist, but I wasn't aware of anything he said that would indicate he "frowned on the practice" of frequent reception. In fact, one of his greatest trials in prison was that he was unable to receive the Eucharist. You could be right, and if so, I would be interested in reading his opinion on this because he is one of my favorite saints. Thanks.[/quote]

What I read was not a direct condemnation, so I may have misinterpreted. But, in [u]Dark Night of the Soul[/u] there is a point he makes where he disapproves of the "beginners seeking to be daily communicates and begging their spiritual directors to allow them". I don't think he disapproved of it for all people, but for the case of "spiritual beginners" who are zealous and begin to develop imperfections in the seven capital sins, as he describes in his book, it doesn't seem that he approves.

Like I said, I'm really not sure. I go to Mass daily and I receive daily, unless I'm in mortal sin. But, it does seem that there was a time in the Church when communicating daily was not for everyone. And I'm wondering if anyone still views it like that and what the reasoning was behind the practice.

[Thy Geekdom Come]

[quote name='TeresaBenedicta' post='1560520' date='Jun 5 2008, 10:15 PM']What I read was not a direct condemnation, so I may have misinterpreted. But, in [u]Dark Night of the Soul[/u] there is a point he makes where he disapproves of the "beginners seeking to be daily communicates and begging their spiritual directors to allow them". I don't think he disapproved of it for all people, but for the case of "spiritual beginners" who are zealous and begin to develop imperfections in the seven capital sins, as he describes in his book, it doesn't seem that he approves.[/quote]

I think it's more likely that he didn't approve of the spiritual pride by which certain zealous people might demand to be an exception to the rule. In those days, Communion wasn't often made available on a daily basis. If a person was spiritually prideful, he might have requested daily Communion, thinking himself particularly worthy. St. John of the Cross was very emphatic on the idea of detachment from pride. Now, I don't know what specific passage you're citing, but my guess is that he had a different intention than you're thinking. Nowadays, daily Communion is quite available, and it wouldn't necessarily be a mark of pride to receive daily.

I hope this helps.

God bless,

Micah

[CatherineM]

My husband has a friend who goes to mass at least 4 times a day, and sometimes as many as 6 times. He was in seminary when he developed a mental illness. We've tried talking to him about not doing that everyday, but he is beyond scrupulous. Since he goes to different churches, the priest don't realize what he is doing. They just think he is coming everyday to their mass only. I've given up trying to talk to him about it.

[TeresaBenedicta]

[quote name='Raphael' post='1560531' date='Jun 5 2008, 11:21 PM']I think it's more likely that he didn't approve of the spiritual pride by which certain zealous people might demand to be an exception to the rule. In those days, Communion wasn't often made available on a daily basis. If a person was spiritually prideful, he might have requested daily Communion, thinking himself particularly worthy. St. John of the Cross was very emphatic on the idea of detachment from pride. Now, I don't know what specific passage you're citing, but my guess is that he had a different intention than you're thinking. Nowadays, daily Communion is quite available, and it wouldn't necessarily be a mark of pride to receive daily.

I hope this helps.

God bless,

Micah[/quote]

Hm, yes, that does help, quite a bit actually.

I guess I just wonder if there is a decrease in reverence for the Holy Eucharist in frequent communicating. But, I suppose that wouldn't be the case for those who are going to daily Mass and then also receiving daily. Perhaps it has become simply "habit" for some, or the norm to receive without even considering Who it is being received; but that would be more likely for those who attend Mass less often.

I know that there was a time in the Church when there was an emphasis on our not being worthy to receive, therefore a discouragement from even receiving each week. That was obviously wrong, as someone above quoted St. Pius' remarks on it. But I wonder if we, as a society, have gone too far in the opposite direction; considering it okay to receive in all circumstances besides that of mortal sin.

I guess the real question is: are there any circumstances besides that of mortal sin that should be reason to refrain from receiving Holy Communion? Say-- distraction during the Mass, or being angry with someone, or judging people during Mass, or recognizing that you're in the mindset of thinking you have a right to receive, etc etc.

[Thy Geekdom Come]

[quote name='CatherineM' post='1560536' date='Jun 5 2008, 10:25 PM']My husband has a friend who goes to mass at least 4 times a day, and sometimes as many as 6 times. He was in seminary when he developed a mental illness. We've tried talking to him about not doing that everyday, but he is beyond scrupulous. Since he goes to different churches, the priest don't realize what he is doing. They just think he is coming everyday to their mass only. I've given up trying to talk to him about it.[/quote]

This would be a sensitive case, but you may want to bring it to the attention of the priests for the man's own good. Perhaps they will be better at talking with him about his scruples.

[quote name='TeresaBenedicta' post='1560555' date='Jun 5 2008, 10:37 PM']Hm, yes, that does help, quite a bit actually.

I guess I just wonder if there is a decrease in reverence for the Holy Eucharist in frequent communicating. But, I suppose that wouldn't be the case for those who are going to daily Mass and then also receiving daily. Perhaps it has become simply "habit" for some, or the norm to receive without even considering Who it is being received; but that would be more likely for those who attend Mass less often.

I know that there was a time in the Church when there was an emphasis on our not being worthy to receive, therefore a discouragement from even receiving each week. That was obviously wrong, as someone above quoted St. Pius' remarks on it. But I wonder if we, as a society, have gone too far in the opposite direction; considering it okay to receive in all circumstances besides that of mortal sin.

I guess the real question is: are there any circumstances besides that of mortal sin that should be reason to refrain from receiving Holy Communion? Say-- distraction during the Mass, or being angry with someone, or judging people during Mass, or recognizing that you're in the mindset of thinking you have a right to receive, etc etc.[/quote]

Well, I would say that there are some situations where it is not fitting for a person to receive Holy Communion, but it's difficult to make distinctions like that. For instance, if a person is distracted unintentionally during Mass (such as good Catholic parents with large families, who very rarely get the chance to pay close attention), then that person should still be able to receive Holy Communion. If, however, the person was intentionally distracted (it's been observed that some teenagers will pop in iPods during Mass), then that person really hasn't even attended Mass, and if it's a Sunday Mass, they shouldn't be receiving Holy Communion because they have violated the Third Commandment in a grave way (assuming they fit the other conditions for mortal sin). In the case of anger, if it's a grave case of anger (which is quite serious), then it could be mortal sin (though not necessarily, given all the conditions), which means no Commuion, but then, there are certain mitigating factors involved. Ultimately, there's a reason the Church doesn't really come out with generalized rules about such things, because there are so many different factors involved. It's really best to leave that matter between the individual, his or her conscience (not that conscience reigns supreme, it must be informed by the teaching of God and Church), the pastor, and the guidelines that are set forth by the Church (though, as I said, those aren't always clear).

As for frequent Communion limiting our appreciation of the Blessed Sacrament, this is possible, but it's not really reason to stop receiving daily. Instead, it's a call to greater awareness and more active, prayerful participation in the Mass. The same could be said of the Our Father; maybe we should say it less often so as not to strip it of meaning, but that's silly, instead, we should say it prayerfully and intentionally, meditating on the words, even if only for a brief moment (by the way, I'm not the best rolemodel of a good prayer life).

God bless,

Micah

[Guest JeffCR07]

[quote name='TeresaBenedicta' post='1559988' date='Jun 5 2008, 04:28 PM']This is something that has been on my mind lately... do you think it's appropriate to receive holy Communion on a daily basis? It seems to be a relatively new 'fad'. In the past, it was very rare and only under the direction of a knowledgeable spiritual director that one would receive daily. Now it seems to be fairly common and people tend to receive any time they are at Mass.

Is this a good thing? Does it reflect a certain cultural attitude towards the Holy Eucharist? Should one be careful about approaching holy Communion too often?

What do you guys think?[/quote]

I think the only "problem" with daily reception of Holy Communion would be, as you alluded to in one of your previous posts, the development of a sort of "unbecoming familiarity" to quote von Hildebrand. However, I do not think such a disposition is actually the result of frequent reception of communion, but rather, it is the result of a changed cultural attitude towards communion, and towards liturgy as a whole. When we forget solemnity, when we forget transcendence, when we forget [i]mystery[/i], then we begin approaching the Blessed Sacrament in a manner no different from the other aspects of our daily life. If this happens, then it is possible for even daily communicants to get into an attitude of treating Mass as merely one among many things that needs to get "checked off" on the list of things to do today.

That is why it is imperative that the liturgy (and, by default, reception of the Eucharist) should be an event that elevates us [i]out[/i] of the context of daily life. Some people slam things like ad orientem, chant, and latin for being "out of touch" but it is exactly that break with our mundane (ie non-sacred) living that is of such great value in preventing us from losing a sense of the sacred.

Ok, I'm getting off the soap box

Pax,

Jeff

[AccountDeleted]

I think Raphael may have something there... Juan de la Cruz was against not only pride, but also spiritual gluttony and some of those asking to receive frequently were often more concerned with the consolations of receiving the Eucharist, rather than the adoration and worship of Our Lord.


[i]from Dark Night of the Soul Book 1 Chapter 6
St. John of the Cross

[On Spiritual Gluttony]


3. Some are very insistent that their spiritual director allow them to do what they themselves want to do, and finally almost force the permission from him. And if they do not get what they want, they become sad and go about like testy children. They are under the impression that they do not serve God when they are not allowed to do what they want. Since they take gratification and their own will as their support and their god, they become sad, weak, and discouraged when their director takes these from them and desires that they do God's will. They think that gratifying and satisfying themselves is serving and satisfying God. . . .[/i]