Pope speaks on St. Pius X, drive to encourage frequent Communion
August 18, 2010
At his weekly public audience on August 18, Pope Benedict XVI spoke about the achievements of Pope St. Pius X, and particularly that Pope’s drive to encourage frequent reception of Holy Communion and to open the sacrament to children at the age of reason.
Speaking to the crowd that gathered for his Wednesday audience in the courtyard of the papal summer residence at Castel Gandolfo, the Holy Father said that the life of Pius X was marked by “humility and simplicity and great charity toward those most in need.” His great humility caused Pius X to feel unworthy of the papacy, Pope Benedict said. Yet his pontificate “left an indelible mark in the history of the Church.”
Pope Pius X—whose feast the Church will celebrate on August 21-- reorganized the Roman Curia, began the reform of the Code of Canon Law, and spurred the development of a new universal catechism, the Pope reminded his audience. Pius X was also instrumental in liturgical reform, most notably in encouraging frequent reception of Communion and allowing children aged 7 and over to receive the Eucharist.
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Posted by: Justin8110 -
Aug. 18, 2010 5:54 PM ET USA
Frequent Communion could only be a good thing but I wish the Holy Father would stress the need for all who recieve in to be in a state of grace. People are going to recieve Our lord all the time without having gone to Confession. There are so maLy sacrilegious Communions today. I hardly ever hear priests outside traditionalist parish churches even mention Confession. Confession and frequent Communions could do so much good for the Church.
