this I answer, make your communion as often as your Father-Confessor permits, and with the good intention of advancing in virtue, and let people say what they will. The celebrated John of Avila says, that those who blame others for frequently approaching Holy Communion, perform the office of the devil; and will you be so foolish as to care for them?
Hear, too, what St. Francis of Sales says: "If the children of the world ask you why you so often receive Holy Communion, answer them: Two classes of men should go to communion often; namely, the perfect and the imperfect: the perfect, that they may continue so, and the imperfect, that they may attain perfection. The strong, that they may not become weak, and the weak, that they may become strong. The sick, that they may recover health, and the healthy, that they may not become sick. As for yourself, go often to communion, as one imperfect, sick, and weak.”
O my God! of what avail are all these miserable evasions and excuses? Speak the truth, say it outright, that you are not willing to go any oftener to Holy Communion, because then you must quit the vanities and sinful satisfactions of the world; and that you do not love this food of Angels, because you still love creatures with inordinate affection; that you do not dare often to receive Jesus Christ, because you fear the reproof which your Saviour might give you, on account of your disorderly and sinful way of life, if you were to receive him often in the most holy Sacrament. But take it seriously into consideration, lest your sinful lukewarmness should be your ruin. Fear not that on your deathbed you will reproach yourself on account of those communions which you have received with contrition
