Publisher's Synopsis
The whole Catholic world owes an everlasting debt of gratitude to our Holy Father, Pope Pius X, for having in fearless and unequivocal terms given the coup de grace to a long and at times somewhat heated domestic controversy-namely, as to the rights and wrongs of frequent and daily Communion among the laity. Of course, that which forms the very essence of this great benefit is the opening out to all, without distinction, the inexhaustible treasures of grace and holiness contained within the adorable Sacrament of the Altar. And if thanks be due from the laity, special gratitude is not less owing to the Vicar of Christ from those charged with the ministry of dispensing these great riches to others. As Father Juan Ferreres points out in his learned and painstaking commentary upon the Eucharistic Decrees, with which these humbler pages are mainly concerned, two altogether conflicting opinions had sharply defined themselyes in the Church among the orthodox as to the dispositions needed for a very frequent or daily reception of the Holy Eucharist, each championed by saints, doctors, and spiritual guides of repute. The present writer sees no more useful plan than to give here, with incidental observations, the summary of the history of these opposite views as traced by Ferreres. This study will throw considerable light upon that part of the doctrinal and disciplinary Decree "Sacra Tridentina Synodus" of December 20, 1905, where it reminds us that there were never wanting in the Church "men of learning and piety," who upheld the sounder view of Eucharistic practice which has recently been sealed with the authority of the Holy See.
