Too Frequent Reception of Communion

[MH84]

This will probably be a stupid question but if the Catholics of old only took Communion once or twice per year what did they do at Mass all the other sundays?
WP

Going to Mass is part of keeping the Sabbath holy. I guess they remained in the pews or knelt while others were receiving the Eucharist. Its better to refrain from Holy Communion, than just approach because everyone else does or because otherwise you’ll feel out of place.

 

[LilyM]

Going to Mass is part of keeping the Sabbath holy. I guess they remained in the pews or knelt while others were receiving the Eucharist. Its better to refrain from Holy Communion, than just approach because everyone else does or because otherwise you’ll feel out of place.

Exactly. So many people seem to think that receiving Communion is the only point of going to Mass.

Mass is in fact from beginning to end an act of worship of God. That in itself is good, and that’s why we go even if for whatever reason we can’t receive. And that’s why the requirement is in fact to attend Mass every Sabbath, not to receive Communion.

 

[mangy_dog]

I think this is common. I know I’ve been asked why I wasn’t going up to receive. I just looked at them and said, “because I have to go to confession.” I count such incidents as teaching moments.

Dave has finally hit the nail on the head.

The renewable sacraments are meant to be recieved regularly. Frequent (daily, weekly) reception of the renewable sacraments is ok - there’s nothing wrong with that. Now, the minute someone starts to disassociate the sacrament of penance from the Eucharist, that’s when problems arise.
Personally I try to go to confession weekly, just before Mass. And no, this is not an american phenomenon,…in other predominantly catholic countries, there is daily mass. Only in coutries where the government is less than democratic do you find situations not conducent to regular or daily mass. Regular reception of communion and attending confession is not like going to Burger King or McDonalds for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It is the Bread of Life and the Cup of Salvation.
Pax Domini sit semper vobiscum