Course 2, Chapter 38: Of union with our Lord, the new Adam, by Communion. — The Eucharist continued

1. By whom were formerly offered the bread and wine which were consecrated on the altar?

Formerly the bread and wine consecrated on the altar, were offered by the faithful, who themselves made the bread for the communion. The emperors and empresses conformed to this usage.

2. How did the first Christians communicate?

The first Christians communicated standing, in imitation of the children of Israel who had eaten thus the paschal lamb, the figure of the Eucharist.

3. Did they communicate under both forms?

They communicated under both forms. This usage ceased on account of the danger of spilling the sacred blood, and the difficulty of procuring wine in the north, whose inhabitants at a later period were converted to the faith.

4. How did they receive under the form of bread?

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A. They received under the form of bread, the men in their naked hand, and the women in their right hand which was covered with a fine white linen. They then administered to themselves the sacred body of the Saviour, and drank his precious blood from a chalice common to all and presented by the priests.

5. Did they sometimes communicate under one form only?

Yes, they communicated sometimes under one form only, for instance on Good Friday.

6. Was communion given to those who could not assist at the holy sacrifice?

To those who could not assist at the holy sacrifice, communion was carried by the deacons; for the early Christians did not imagine that they could sustain themselves in virtue without this bread of the strong.

7. Were they permitted to carry the Eucharist to their homes?

Yes, they were permitted to carry the Eucharist to their own houses, and administer communion to themselves. It was particularly at the approach of persecution that they secured a provision of this life^ giving food.

8. Were they permitted to carry it with them when traveling?

They were permitted to carry it with them when traveling, as a guide and a sure preservative against all dangers of body and soul. So great was their piety that there was no danger that the Saviour, become the companion of their journey, would suffer any irreverence from them.

9. How was the Eucharist preserved in the church-

The Eucharist was preserved in tabernacles made in the form of a tower or a dove, suspended above the altars. The tower is emblematic of the strength of the sacrament, and the, dove emblematic of the mildness,

-2[S CATECHISM OF PERSEVERANCE.

innocence and ingenuousness which the sacrament communicates to our souls.

10. What are the temporal advantages of the hoi} communion?

These are some of the temporal advantages of the holy communion: 1st, it preserves sanctity and prevents a host of disorders which would render us unhappy; 2d, it makes us practise many virtues from which we derive temporal advantages; 3d, of itself it inspires works of charity and devotedness so useful to society.