Abbey-Roads2

Who may receive? 

On June 23 the Holy Father stated that only the pure of heart (those free from mortal sin) could receive Communion.  The Holy Father made the statement a day after the Italian Prime Minister, Silvio Burlusconi asked a bishop in Sardinia as to when the Church would change the rules to allow divorced and remarried Catholics to receive the sacrament.  The bishop jokingly responded that it would take a higher power than he (the bishop)  to change the rules.

The Holy Father’s statement was contained in a message to the Quebec Eucharistic Congress and did not mention the Prime Minister nor the issue of divorce.  The following is that section of the Holy Father’s message:

“We have to do everything that is in our power to receive (communion) with a pure heart, searching without end, through the sacrament of forgiveness, the purity that sin has stained,” Pope Benedict said in his message.

“On the other hand, those who cannot take communion because of their situation will find, nevertheless, in the desire to participate in the Eucharist, strength and effect of salvation.” - Source

“Catholic teaching says that Catholics cannot ignore Jesus’ teaching that the faithful may not divorce and remarry. The Church teaches that for the good of their souls, believers should not present themselves for Communion, when they have departed from the teachings of Jesus.” - CNA

[Now I'm just wondering out loud here, mind you I have no authority to speak for the Church, but would this apply to every teaching of the Church regarding faith and morals?  Such as the teaching on contraception, abortion, homosexuality, and so on?]

Link:

Who can receive Communion.

Solemnity of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist.

In the novitiate, we became friends with the novices of another Trappist monastery in France.  For the Solemnity of the Birth of John the Baptist, our Father Master asked me to do a drawing and write a letter to our brothers.  So I did an icon drawing of the Baptist, with a mounted paper icon for them to hang in the novitiate, and my letter was simply, “What did you go out to the desert to see?” [Luke 7:24]  I expected the novices would just sign their names and we would send it off.

Fr. Richard looked at it, then looked at me quizzically, blurting out, “Aren’t you going to write more?”

And I replied, “Isn’t that enough for monks?”

Father answered, shaking his head;  “Oh br. Christian!  We are not Carmelites!  Each of the novices shall write their own messages then!  Sheesh!” 

I guess you had to be there.  Merry St. John’s-mass!