Article I: On Those Who Can Receive the Most Holy Eucharist

1545. Principles. I. The CAPABLE subject of receiving the Eucharist with fruit is every baptized human being, provided that through mortal sin he does not place an obstacle to grace. - For it was instituted for all Christians; therefore it can profit all rightly disposed persons, according to the words of Christ (John 6:55): "He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life."

II. From the present discipline of the Church, the Eucharist OUGHT NOT to be conceded to those who cannot discern this heavenly food from profane food. This is universal practice, and it is clear from the Roman Ritual.

Hence: 1. Baptized children, still lacking the use of reason, although in the reception of the Sacrament they would truly receive an increase of grace, nevertheless, on account of greater reverence, are prohibited from its reception, even at the article of death.¹⁴

2. It is likewise altogether to be denied to those perpetually insane. But to other insane persons, who have not always lacked the use of reason and have lived piously, it is to be given IN THE ARTICLE OF DEATH, unless danger of vomiting or spitting out is present. Thus St. Thomas and the Roman Catechism with the Council of Carthage.¹⁵ "The reason is that, on the one hand, such a one is presumed interpretatively to ask Communion; on the other, the Eucharist can still be necessary for him, namely if he fell into insanity while existing in mortal sin, concerning which he had only attrition. Yet the Doctors except if it is certainly presumed that such a one fell into insanity altogether impenitent." - To these same persons, OUTSIDE THE ARTICLE OF DEATH, it is not licit to give Communion. "Yet it will be licit to do so, likewise to the frenzied, if at some time they have lucid intervals and show devotion, while they remain in that state, if no danger of indignity is present." Thus the Roman Ritual.¹⁶

1546. Questions. Q. 1. Whether the Eucharist is to be conceded to the half-witted, deaf-mutes, epileptics, and those possessed?

Resp. 1. To the HALF-WITTED, provided they are able to discern this heavenly food from profane food, Communion is to be given, in the article of death and at the time of precept; indeed even more frequently, if they possess greater discretion. - The same applies to OLD PEOPLE who, as is said, become children again.

2. To DEAF-MUTES from birth, according to the same norm, Communion is to be given, provided it is clear from signs that they have discretion. But from present-day experiments it is clear that deaf-mutes not instructed according to more recent methods can scarcely have knowledge of religion and of the mysteries. - But those who have been instructed in present-day institutes can communicate no otherwise than other faithful. - On the contrary, to those mute, deaf, and at the same time blind from birth, Communion is altogether to be denied.

3. To EPILEPTICS Communion is to be denied only during the paroxysm.

4. To those POSSESSED BY A DEMON it is likewise to be denied when they are not masters of themselves. - For the rest, authors rightly say that it is to be conceded to them several times in the year, according to the prudence of the confessor, since the Eucharist is a special remedy for driving away demons.¹⁷

Q. 2. Whether Holy Communion is to be conceded to those CONDEMNED TO DEATH?

Resp. Affirmatively, provided through sacramental confession they are disposed for it; for, from the prescription of the Council of Nicaea, the Eucharist is to be given to all who have come to the end of life. Indeed, the guilty person can communicate, not fasting, after the manner of Viaticum, because then he is truly in the article of death. And St. Alphonsus adds: he can laudably communicate on the very day of death, provided Communion precedes the execution by an hour¹⁸ (cf. n. 731).

NB. Who are to be kept from Holy Communion as unworthy, see n. 1426 and 1427 seq.