For centuries, Councils and Popes encouraged frequent Holy Communion. Great saints and spiritual writers fought against Jansenism which taught that people had to be perfect before they could receive Communion. For much of that time, people made great sacrifices to receive Holy Communion, such as fasting from all food and liquids from midnight. Receiving Holy Communion has been made easier and so we need to guard against it becoming something merely routine.

To receive Holy Communion, we must be Catholics, united with the Church, practising our faith (including coming to Mass every week except where prevented by a serious reason.) We must be living in accord with the Church’s teaching, especially with regard to marriage.

In terms of our personal spiritual life, we must be free from mortal sin, going regularly to Confession, and living a life of prayer, including making some spiritual preparation for receiving the sacrament. Holy Communion is itself a means of forgiveness for our venial sins, and therefore we should examine ourselves and repent of such sins before receiving the sacrament.

With such dispositions, we can make the most of what is a truly magnificent gift of God. In Holy Communion we receive Christ Himself. He cleanses and purifies our soul, fills us with grace, unites us with Himself and with each other in the Church, and gives us the pledge of future glory.