Religious Orders restricting communion?

[Youngling11]

I heard someone mention that certain religious orders “restrict” the reception of the Eucharist to only a certain number of times per year. (I think the Carmelites were one).

Is this true? Do certain religious orders only allow a certain number of receptions of the Eucharist per year?

And if so, what is the spiritual reason for this? How can one grow spiritually by abstaining from the reception of the Eucharist? (even if they are in a state of grace)

I think it might be difficult for me to understand considering I am from the “convenience culture” of America… where “the more the merrier” is “law” when it comes to pretty much anything. (Look at our food portion sizes!) So I could see where my culture might have failed me in understanding this Eucharistic practice.

 

[puer.dei]

I heard someone mention that certain religious orders “restrict” the reception of the Eucharist to only a certain number of times per year. (I think the Carmelites were one).

I’m a Secular Carmelite, and I’ve never heard this.

 

[phil19034]

I don’t know if any orders currently do this today, but many used to before World War I.

The main spiritual reason was to insure they do not start taking the Eucharist for granted. By limiting the number of times they could receive, they were making sure that the brothers/sisters were always longing to receive Christ.