When and why infrequent Communion become common?

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My earliest memory of a sermon, early 1950s, was a priest urging Holy Communion every time you come to Mass. My understanding is that there was a long period when most laity seldom received Communion. When and why did you this trend occur?

Was it official, or just a cultural trend, in some but not all places?

(I am not saying this is a problem now, with our universal entitlement mentality).
 
Catholics used to be a lot more reflective about whether or not they were in a state of grace to receive. They often probably abstained for what were actually venial sins.
 
It was St. Pius X, apparently, who first began to encourage frequent communion. How long the earlier practice of infrequent communion – maybe only once a year, or not much more than that – had been the norm, I don’t know, though I have an idea it may date back to the Middle Ages or even earlier.

 
Starting in the 15th century folks started receiving communion more often, before that it was once per year at Easter time. Probably the council of Trent had something to do with it. I suppose the Magisterium evolved in its comprehension of what frequency of reception would be better for the laity. Possibly, this wasn’t completely independent of the counter-reformation. I’m no expert on the subject, this is just what I understood indirectly reading lives of the saints of that period.
 
commenter said:
My earliest memory of a sermon, early 1950s, was a priest urging Holy Communion every time you come to Mass. My understanding is that there was a long period when most laity seldom received Communion. When and why did you this trend occur?

Was it official, or just a cultural trend, in some but not all places?

(I am not saying this is a problem now, with our universal entitlement mentality).
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I was an altar boy back then. Mass was in Latin. Being in a state of grace was taught and stressed constantly for proper reception of the Eucharist. Back in the 50’s there was constant teaching from the pulpit. I have to say, Catholics were better educated back then. AND 80% of Catholics went to mass faithfully, 20 % didn’t. Post Vat II, the numbers flipped according to Georgetown Univ study actually the numbers were 78% don’t go vs 22% go faithfully

As we know, Deliberately missing mass on Sunday is a mortal sin. Therefore, confession is required before receiving again.
 
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Some might claim that “infrequent” partaking in the Eucharist might be a reflection of the realization of sin by those not receiving…The counter argument is that even those too many not in a state of grace, receive anyway.
 
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According to many books I’ve had the privilege to study, there was a very long time, centuries in fact, when people en masse did not like the idea of communion. The Church of the first few centuries practiced frequent communion but by the early and middle ages, perceptions and uncertainties arose over what to do with a church member if they sinned after being baptized. One relatively common notion was that they would be lost since they could not then be baptized a second time. So people saved their baptism and confession and communion until late in life, often receiving them on their death bed (hence the expression).

The Fourth Lateran Council, in the 13th century, decreed that communion must be taken at least once a year. There is a very good and detailed article on it here; http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06278a.htm
 
Short answer: St. Pius X.

I imagine his decision was somewhat controversial at the time.
 
I remember reading in the autobiography of St. Therese of Lisieux that she always sought the permission of her confessor to receive communion. He allowed her to receive twice a week.
 
Rob2 said:
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steve-b:
. I have to say, Catholics were better educated back then.
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i was there back then , and Catholic education was appalling .
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Sorry to hear that.

Back in the 50’s my Catholic education was great! However, In spite of that, it was no guarantee everybody in my circle of friends, lived out and experienced the benefit of that good education that we all had. Family dynamics is huge as well.
 
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The New Advent article was very helpful. The other posts are also welcome.
 
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CelticWarlord said:
The Fourth Lateran Council, in the 13th century, decreed that communion must be taken at least once a year. There is a very good and detailed article on it here; http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06278a.htm
Click to expand...
And from scripture,

The mass in scripture

Heb 10: (all emphasis mine) Heb 10:19-31 RSVCE - A Call to Persevere - Therefore, - Bible Gateway
19 Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus, 20 by the new and living way which he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful; 24 and let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some , but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. 26 For if we sin deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a fearful prospect of judgment,and a fury of fire which will consume the adversaries. 28 A man who has violated the law of Moses dies without mercy at the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 How much worse punishment do you think will be deserved by the man who has spurned the Son of God, and profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and outraged the Spirit of grace ?30 For we know him who said, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay.” And again, “The Lord will judge his people.” 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God."

Unpacking that

deliberate Failure to meet on the Day ,= Sunday the Lord’s day, & it’s already a sin with huge consequences to deliberately miss, ONCE SOMEONE KNOWS THE TRUTH.

What are they doing when they meet?

“ sacrifice for sin ”, &; “ blood of the covenant ” = the words Our Lord spoke instituting the
Eucharist
Matthew 26:28 , Mt 26:28 RSVCE - for this is my blood of the covenant, - Bible Gateway
Mark 14:24 , Mark 14:24 RSVCE - And he said to them, “This is my - Bible Gateway

i.e. They are celebrating the Mass,
THAT’s why those who deliberately fail to celebrate Mass (the Eucharist) on Sunday after being given the knowledge of truth,

THEN

◦ no longer remains for Them , a sacrifice for sin and blood of the covenant
◦ They Spurn the Son of God
◦ They outrage the spirit of grace
◦ a fearful prospect of judgement awaits Them
◦ and a fury of fire will consume these adversaries

Q:
Does that sound like it’s only a suggestion to attend Mass on Sunday, or a command?
Does it sound like a venial sin to deliberately miss Mass on Sunday or a mortal sin?
 
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