Article 6
That from what has been said the answer to the questions is in part plain.
JUST as one who knowingly presumes to celebrate while in mortal sin sins mortally, so one who communicates while in mortal sin sins mortally. And since it has already been said that a religious person is bound, under pain of mortal sin and on pain of deserving eternal damnation, to obey her superior, it is plain that by the very fact that she approached holy communion against the instruction, direction and will of her superior, or at least resolved with deliberation and full intent to approach, she would sin mortally; and so she would be altogether unworthy to partake of the most worthy and most wholesome Sacrament: indeed, by receiving it she would fall into mortal sin, and gravely mortal sin, of which the Apostle said: Whoever eats this bread or drinks the chalice of the Lord unworthily will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord;1 and again: He who eats and drinks unworthily eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the body of the Lord.2 In the same way, the sin by which she resolved to approach, or approached, against the obedience owed to the one who presides would not be a simple mortal sin, but an extremely grave one, namely contrary to the vow of obedience and a violation of so great a vow.
Moreover, such a religious person is bound to obey her superior not only as prelate and spiritual father, but also as judge and spiritual physician in the court of conscience, and in sacramental matters and the sacramental food. Therefore, if against his instruction, judgment and will she flatly decides to approach communion, or approaches, she is shown to sin mortally on this count too: as when a sick man, against his physician's teaching, takes food or drink from which death would truly threaten him, such a man would be killing himself, as St. Augustine says.
Such a person, then, must humbly comply with her superior and confessor, and entrust herself wholly to his discretion in this matter, and give herself over entirely to amendment, and also accept patiently the suspension and postponement of holy communion, and be contrite for her sins, confess them wholly, and make satisfaction effectively with all her might, trampling underfoot altogether that wicked and foolish, human and childish shame; and this will be for her, now and in the future, before God and all His Saints, truly honorable, most wholesome and very meritorious. And unless persons of this kind yield to their confessor in the way just described, they ought not to be admitted to receive the most high Sacrament. And so religious persons are to be instructed, admonished, advised and alarmed about these things by their superiors, often and wisely, in season and opportunely, fervently and abundantly, both in confession and outside confession.
Lastly, all are to be exhorted not to despise or rashly judge, nor to be scandalized at, those whom they see suspended from communion or put off, but rather to be edified by their obedience, and to pray for them in charity. Indeed it belongs wholly to every discreet and upright, charitable and devout Christian to look with a devout and compassionate mind on every neighbor who for whatever cause or fault is placed under discipline, rebuked, humbled, afflicted, despised or left desolate, and to cherish him with counsel and help, as opportunity allows. For blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.3
Hence the Apostle says to the Romans: We who are stronger ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves; let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to edification:4 therefore let us always pursue the things that make for peace, and keep to the things that edify one another.5 And to the Galatians too: If we live by the spirit, let us also walk by the spirit; let us not become desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another;6 and if a man is overtaken in any fault, you who are spiritual, instruct such a one in the spirit of gentleness, considering yourself, lest you also be tempted; bear one another's burdens, and so you will fulfill the law of Christ.7 And elsewhere: Do nothing out of contention or vain glory, but in humility let each esteem others better than himself;8 and by charity serve one another.9 Do all things without murmuring, so that you may be blameless and simple children of God.10 Put on, therefore, as God's elect, the bowels of mercy, kindness, humility, modesty, patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another;11 let the peace of Christ ever rejoice in your hearts;12 whatever you do in word and work, do all in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, giving thanks to God and the Father through Him.13
Footnotes
Chapter 7 of 8