Page:Withgodbookofpra00las.djvu/845

 In Life  and  in  Death  praise  and  be  submissive  to  the  holy will of  God.

Strive to  become  a  saint. For "  this  is  the  will  of  God, your  sanctification."

Our Holy  Father,  Pope  Pius  X,  the  Vicar  of  Christ, has told  us  in  the  simplest  and  plainest  words,  that  all the faithful  without  exception,  after  their  first  holy communion, should  be  encouraged  to  approach  the  Holy Table every  day,  and  that  the  only  dispositions  absolutely necessary to  receive  the  Bread  of  Life  frequently,  even every day,  are  the  state  of  grace  and  a  right  intention. The Pontifical  Decree  on  receiving  daily  the  [Most  Holy Eucharist (Dec.  20,  1905)  says:

Frequent and  daily  Communion,  as  a  thing  most  earnestly desired  by  Christ  Our  Lord,  and  by  the  Catholic Church, should  be  open  to  all  the  Faithful,  of  whatever rank and  condition  of  life;  so  that  no  one  who  is  in  the  state of grace,  and  who  approaches  the  Holy  Table  with  a  right and devout  intention,  can  lawfully  be  hindered  therefrom.

A right  intention  consists  in  this:  that  he  who  approaches the  Holy  Table  should  do  so,  not  out  of  routine, or vain glory,  or  human  respect,  but  for  the  purpose  of pleasing  God,  or  being  more  closely  united  with  Him  by charity,  and  of  seeking  this  divine  remedy  for  his  weaknesses and  defects.

Although it  is  more  expedient  that  those  who  communicate frequently  or  daily  should  be  free  from  venial  sins, especially from  such  as  are  fully  deliberate,  and  from  any affection thereto,  nevertheless  it  is  sufficient  that  they  be free  from  mortal  sin,  with  the  purpose  of  never  sinning mortally in  future;  and,  if  they  have  this  sincere  purpose, it is  impossible  but  that  daily  communicants  should  gradually emancipate  themselves  from  even  venial  sins,  and from all  affection  thereto.

But whereas  the  sacraments  of  the  New  Law,  though they take  effect  ex  opere  operato,  nevertheless  produce  a greater  effect  in  proportion  as  the  dispositions  of  the  recipient are  better;  therefore,  care  is  to  be  taken  that  Holy Communion be  preceded  by  serious  preparation,  and  fol-