director, is an illusion no less dangerous; because the soul being deprived of its necessary support, becomes weaker and weaker, and may easily fall into a fatal state of tepidity, and into an almost entire forgetfulness of God. In the time of St Augustine, many of the faithful communicated every day, imitating in this the first Christians; who were in this holy practice, of at least, who communicated as often as they assisted at the Divine Sacrifice. This great Saint said, that he neither praised nor blamed those who communicated every day. However he exhorted all to go to communion every Sunday, provided they were not attached to any sin; and, in one of his epistles, he says: " If any one falls into involuntary faults, he should not deprive himself of the daily remedy of the body and blood of Jesus Christ." St. Ambrose, addressing the tepid Christians of his time, said: " This adorable sacrament is a daily bread, yet you receive it only once a year. You are every day exposed to many combats; whence do you receive the strength necessary to be victorious over your enemies? In these combats, you often receive wounds: when one is wounded, it is natural to have recourse to some remedy— the devil is your enemy, sin is your wound; and this divine sacrament is the remedy."
It is certain, that it would not be well to say to the generality of Christians what this holy Doctor said to some pious souls: Receive every day that, which will, everyday, be your nourishment and support; but we may say to all, what the same holy Father added, whilst addressing the same chosen souls: Live in such a manner that you need not fear to receive this holy sacrament every day; for, he who has not the dispositions to receive every day, may well mistrust his dispositions at the end of the year.
