If so, what is it? Is there an Easter duty? This requirement is spelled out in the Code of Canon Law:. After being initiated into the Most Holy Eucharist, each of the faithful is obliged to receive holy communion at least once a year. This is the bare minimum threshold for the reception of the Eucharist. So why do so many people see the duty as a requirement for going to confession? As noted in the Catechism of the Catholic Church:. The Church obliges the faithful to take part in the Divine Liturgy on Sundays and feast days and, prepared by the sacrament of Reconciliation, to receive the Eucharist at least once a year, if possible during the Easter season.
But the Church strongly encourages the faithful to receive the holy Eucharist on Sundays and feast days, or more often still, even daily CCC In order to receive Holy Communion worthily, we must be free from mortal sins, and for this to happen, we need to go to confession.
So, the obligation to receive Holy Communion during the Easter season made people not in a state of grace recognize their duty to celebrate confession prior to presenting themselves for communion.
What does this mean for us today? It means the Church wants us to receive Holy Communion frequently. This most intimate encounter with Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ which strengthens us in faith, hope, and charity, is something we all should long to receive regularly.
However, the Church also knows that we sometimes stumble in our lives of faith and so extends to us the mercy of Christ in confession. The two sacraments go hand in hand to assist us to grow in holiness.
