Necessary» preparation and «desirable» preparation

There have long been controversies over how to prepare someone
he is to receive the body of the Lord. This dispute came to an end with the provision of 1905. It distinguishes between two preparations:
necessary and desirable. Some dispositions are absolutely necessary to allow admission. However, it does not follow that we should still be content with that alone absolutely necessary. It is desirable that we strive for the best possible preparation. The following are considered necessary: ​​the state of sanctifying grace, good faith, the Eucharistic fast. The Council of Trent refers to the words of St. Paul (1 Cor 11:28), and therefore orders that one who is aware of grievous sin we did not approach St. receiving without having to do so before did not sacra mentally testify ». The custom of confession before accepting the body of the Lord penetrated vividly into the faith and customs of the people. However, we are right to ask today whether this is an exaggeration. Severe sins in the true sense of the word do not occur daily nor week. And yet we should go to the reception as often as possible. So it is definitely wrong not to go to the Lord’s table at Mass only because we could not confess before. St. Paul writes: Let a man examine himself and only then let them take the bread and drink it from the cup (1 Cor 11, 28-29). It can also hide comfort in the habit at all times to confess, because such a person does not intend to think seriously about his relationship with God, he does not want to He “researched” and preferred absolution rather than magic medicine. For those who often receive, regular spiritual guidance in confession is commendable. However, it cannot be praised frequent confession out of empty habit or unreasonable anxiety. Church documents often speak of confession before communion, but it is not until the 7th century that people have rarely begun to approach the Lord’s table. On the contrary, it is not good to discourage confession to those who they have doubts. They can also accept the Eucharist because they are certainly and certainly not aware of grave sin. It happens however, they often have their doubts then so psychologically they grieve that they are losing their inner peace and security. Therefore, they are better when they confess that they say “for sure”. But let them ask the confessor not to fall into unnecessary anxiety. So we are still convinced that purification should precede the union of the soul with Christ. Confession and the Eucharist, so they have a mutual relationship, they belong to each other. This relationship however, it must not become mechanical. The best advice for the day life is the way for everyone to resolve this issue in agreement with his confessor. He who is reasonable will not exaggerate in neither direction nor in the other. The physical preparation for the reception of the Sacrament of the Altar is called. Eucharistic fast. It’s a very old custom. Valid from midnight. Today, it is enough to be hungry one hour before communion. However, the Eucharistic fast does not interfere with drinking water or taking medication. Other regulations applied in the Middle Ages. The spouses were encouraged to exercise restraint in marital relations for several days before admission. Here and there a few days of fasting and silence were required.