Comments for Frequent Communion: Pros and Cons at http://www.thecatholicthing.org , comment 1 to 9 out of 9 comments http://www.thecatholicthing.org Sat, 25 May 2013 12:08:29 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.3 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2010/frequent-communion-pros-and-cons.html#comment-5120 Maybe part of the problem is our concern about what other people think - really, we should only care about what God thinks. If we have past or current sins such as abortion and contraception, then we need to avail ourselves of repentance and confession/absolution so that we can receive the Eucharist again. We shouldn't hold others back from communion with overly rigid fasting rules (for example), in order to make someone with grave sins feel better or less conspicuous about not receiving. - Catherine Fri, 29 Oct 2010 08:11:50 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2010/frequent-communion-pros-and-cons.html#comment-5013 This article and the comments barely touch the needs of this all important subject. How about the person who stays away from the Sacrament because of the mistake of choosing their lifetime mate, and they can't accept the church teacing about annulments, They are left with the Eucharist of desire, but sadly some the longer they stay away because of self-unworthiness the more (theoretically) un-worthy they become. - Henry Wed, 13 Oct 2010 13:58:30 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2010/frequent-communion-pros-and-cons.html#comment-5000 Our Pope wants us Catholics to 'kneel' when receiving. Why not re-instate this relevance, as our Pope is doing? When he gives out communion, you have to be on a kneeler! And you have to receive on the tongue! What better way than this to explain 'God's presence.' - Marie Coane Tue, 12 Oct 2010 06:40:15 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2010/frequent-communion-pros-and-cons.html#comment-4984 I tend to agree with Roger Stenson. In my parish there is the further blessing that confessions are offered before the Sunday High Mass, most often by the one priest in the parish who also says Mass before and after. The lines are long. Having grown up in 70s and 80s suburban parishes where confession is typically offered for a half-hour on a Saturday afternoon, this is special. As my consciousness has developed on the topic (in my adult return to a more orthodox Catholicism) I feel less pressure to "just go along" although when I return to those suburban parishes I find myself sometimes explaining to people who ought to know better (my own elders) why I am not receiving. I would add too that although the rolling back of the fast to 12 hours could have merit, in the absence of a thorough theological explanation as to why the fast had been the norm in the first place (which I don't think Professor Kainz quite provides) I'm not sure it makes a huge difference. Catechesis is key. As one modification among many potential others that would need to occur locally -- returning tabernacles to the center of the sanctuary, Eucharistic adoration and Benediction, ad orientem liturgical gesture and orientation, offering Confessions regularly -- it could be a good thing. Like fish on Friday. - Tom Fri, 08 Oct 2010 19:14:35 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2010/frequent-communion-pros-and-cons.html#comment-4979 Not sure I agree with your title... I don't think there's a "con" in the allowance of frequent reception of the Holy Eucharist, per St. Pius X. However I do agree that today there are few conscious receivers of the Eucharist. Perhaps dialing back the fasting rule would help Catholics be more conscious of their decision to get in the Communion line. As most things today, the actual cause is probably more complex. Add to the list a) poor catechesis, b) lack of reverence or even awareness of the Holy Sacrifice part of the Mass, and c) the need to feel "included" taking precedence over the need to fear God. - FarmerJohn Fri, 08 Oct 2010 04:53:12 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2010/frequent-communion-pros-and-cons.html#comment-4978 We are called as Catholics to imitate Christ and to receive Him in the form of the Eucharist. The Church needs to find a way to encourage greater integrity of the individual who elects to receive or abstain from Communion. At the same time, it must not drive away those who need the grace of the present Lord in the Bread and Wine. The proposed solution might be successful on one end -- increasing reverence -- but would the cost be the establishment of rules that smack of Pharisaic Law? I'm unsure, but I am glad someone is considering solutions to the problem. - Chaffee Viets Fri, 08 Oct 2010 02:52:11 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2010/frequent-communion-pros-and-cons.html#comment-4976 That's an idea which I first saw in HPR about 20 years ago, and it is STILL an excellent idea. Maybe this time it'll get some traction. - dad29 Thu, 07 Oct 2010 09:37:07 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2010/frequent-communion-pros-and-cons.html#comment-4973 How many people leave the pew to get a blessing so they don't have to stay behind? Do we really care why someone is not going up to communion? I don't care why someone doesn't go up to communion, the reasons are many and not my business. In fact, to see someone not go might be a good thing because you know that that person has great respect for God. God bless them and keep them! - Roger Farmer Thu, 07 Oct 2010 05:13:31 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2010/frequent-communion-pros-and-cons.html#comment-4972 I don't mind the embarrassment of being one of very few who abstain from the Eucharist. It helps to be aware of the embarrassment one would feel before God after receiving in an unworthy state. - Roger Stenson Thu, 07 Oct 2010 03:23:46 +0100