Case LXIII: How Can Men Be Induced to Frequent Communion?

“I can not get men to receive frequently the Holy Sacraments,” many a priest complains, and therewith he lets them go their own way and turns his attention to the women, who can, with less trouble, be held to heed the priest’s advice. It is no doubt a remarkable fact that even men who in public life valiantly and energetically fight for the Church, are—exceptis excipiendis—very often satisfied with the at least once a year, as regards Holy Communion. This is not a wholesome state of affairs; the exterior life must draw strength from the interior, otherwise it will degenerate. A devout life, practical Christianity, are inconceivable without Holy Communion. What can be done?

1. Men who seldom or never go to hear a sermon, who content themselves with hearing a low Mass, do not give much opportunity to the priest to get at them. How can, nevertheless, influence be brought to bear upon these men? At meetings of a profane character the priest can hardly deliver a sermon; nevertheless there is no end of opportunities, where in a few words, brief and to the point, attention may be drawn to the necessity of practical Christianity, and some good will always be done by such words.

A thoroughly Catholic surrounding at home will often be the only means of reaching this class of men. A few kind words from a pious mother, wife or sister, have frequently achieved great results.

With men who attend sermons the task is an easier one. Above all things the priest should frequently throughout the year invite the men to the Holy Sacraments. The invitation must be cordial, kindly. A priest who summons the men of his parish to confession in harsh and sarcastic terms will of course get not many to come. The feasts of Our Lord, of the Blessed Virgin and of St. Joseph offer good opportunities for such invitations. Many priests have found from experience that in cases of death the relatives, including the men, may be easily induced to receive the Sacraments. It will be wise to express publicly appreciation and pleasure when there has been a good attendance of men.

2. A second means consists in pointing out that God has shown special predilection for men, confiding to them the most important positions in family, State and Church; the priesthood is only accessible to men.

3. Many sodalities and fraternities of men receive Communion in a body, which is a great inducement. A prudent priest will find many occasions, even in worldly societies of Catholics (veterans, firemen, policemen, etc.), of suggesting to the men to receive Communion, for instance at the burial of a member, on anniversary days, etc. Some members at least will take heed and that is a result not to be undervalued.

4. The reception of the Holy Sacraments must be made for men as convenient as possible. Men should not be kept waiting very long; they have not much patience. On special days for men’s confessions appoint special hours, when they can conveniently come. Induce the women to come in the afternoon and to leave the evening to the men.

It is incumbent upon confessors to address the men in polite and pleasant tone, to speak to them, as the difference in age may suggest in individual cases, as friend to friend, as father to son, disregarding high or humble rank. We win them over in this way, and facilitate confession. By friendliness and kindness we show our good will toward them, we get them to return readily. If the confessor is obliged to demand from a man that he receive the Sacraments oftener, it is advisable to let the penitent himself determine when he can and would like to come to confession again. The confessor may express his reliance that the penitent will keep his word.

The confession should not take much time, otherwise men become unwieldy. The priest should not ask too much. Conscientious observance of the divine commandments and of those of the Church, fulfilment of the duties of the state of life, courageous and loyal profession of the faith, these things should be briefly commended.

5. The religious training of men must begin at school age. The priest should take pains to induce boys to receive Holy Communion monthly; the habit to receive frequently will often adhere to them in later years.

A. PACHINGER.