age is, the more untainted, in general, is the baptismal innocence.
Thirdly; that the longer the first communion is put off, the greater fear there is, that either domestic occurrences, or the violence of the passions, should cause it still to be deferred to an advanced age, or, perhaps, to the very time of death. In short, the advice of the great St. Charles Borromeo, must be also remembered. "When children," says he, "of either sex have attained the age of ten, if they can be capable of being easily prepared for communion, let them not be suffered to put it off any longer, which, under pretext of ignorance, is too often the case; let them rather be prepared in good time, to receive a sacrament, which abounds with such precious, and inestimable advantages."
With regard to frequent communion, follow the advice of your confessor; and remember, that the spirit of Jesus Christ, and of his Church, is, that you should communicate frequently. He gives himself to us in the Eucharist, under the forms of bread and wine, to teach us, that as our common food serves to nourish our bodies, so. doth the holy Eucharist support and fortify our souls. He assumes, in this blessed Sacrament, the titles of Brother, Friend, Spouse, &c, to induce us, by these tender, and affectionate appellations, to receive him often. The spirit of the Church is made known to us, in the Holy Council of Trent, which exhorts all the faithful to communicate often; and would wish them to receive, whenever they assist at the divine Sacrifice of the Mass. To these testimonies may be also added, the discourses and examples of the saints, and the experience of all pious persons, which tend to convince us of the happiness and advantages of frequent communion.
But if it be advantageous to communicate frequently, it may also be said, that a greater crime cannot be committed, than to communicate unworthily; this being a shocking abuse of what is most august in religion. To avoid this misfortune, reflect seriously upon these words of St. Paul. "Let a man prove himself, and so Jet him eat of this bread, and drink of the chalice; for he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh judgment to himself, not discerning the body of the Lord." Now this proving consists in putting yourself in such a state, that your conscience may not reproach you with any essential
