[Question:]{.underline} How can one encourage children to receive Holy Communion frequently?
[Answer:]{.underline} It seems to me that since the time of Saint Pius X, this question ought to be asked differently. For the couple of centuries that preceded St. Pius X’ 1910 decree Quam singulari, it is true, the influence of Jansenism had made many Catholics perceive Holy Communion more as a reward than as a remedy against our venial faults, failings and weaknesses. The innocence and simplicity of childhood were considered an obstacle, rather than a manifestation of the great need for this sacrament.
However, a century later the pendulum has swung in the other direction, and children very frequently receive Holy Communion out of routine and habit, with little or no examination of conscience and no real preparation nor thanksgiving. This leads to lukewarmness, and has made some think that it is better not to offer daily Mass and Holy Communion to children, as was generally the case in Catholic schools before Vatican II, so as to avoid lukewarm Communions.
Is not the question rather to be asked differently, and then the question of frequency would be resolved all by itself: - How can one encourage children to receive Holy Communion with greater devotion? This is the grave concern of every pastor, parent, teacher and guardian of children. If the Church’s law imposes upon us the obligation of taking care that children receive their annual Easter communion worthily (Canon 860 in the 1917 Code), it would seem also our duty to take care that children receive their non-obligatory communions with the best possible disposition.
If we all listened carefully to the decree of St. Pius X, our teaching as well as our example would inspire children to receive Holy Communion both frequently and devoutly: “Those who have care of children must see to it with the greatest diligence that, after their First Communion, children often approach the Sacred Table - daily if possible - as desired by Jesus Christ and our Holy Mother the Church; and that they do so with the devotion compatible with their age” (Quam singulari, Rule VI). Encourage children to receive Holy Communion devoutly, and they will spontaneously desire to receive it frequently!
It is the supernatural spirit that is the key. It most encourages the combination of both frequency and devotion in the reception of Holy Communion. From this spirit flows the reverential awe for the mystery of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, dependence on grace, the longing for perfection and to give one’s best to God; also the love of the Faith and catechism and the appreciation of the emptiness of the world. It is from this that follows the spirit of sacrifice necessary to willingly and joyfully make the efforts necessary to receive frequent and devout Holy Communion. Those families in which both parents pray together fervently and regularly, receive the sacraments of Penance and Holy Communion with love and devotion as often as they can, consistently treat with respect the Church’s teachings, and strive to assist at daily Mass whenever they can, will have children whose innocent imitation of their parent’s virtues and supernatural spirit will produce both frequent and devout holy Communions.
Answered by Father Peter Scott, SSPX.