20 Vol. LX, No. 1 Magnificat N AUGUST 19, 1880, Monsignor Gaston de Ségur wrote to Miss Émilie Tamisier, the initiator of the International Eucharistic Pilgrimages and Congresses: “It seems to me that if I were the Pope, zeal for the Eucharist and Communion, not only frequent but daily, would be the dominant object of my Pontificate. I humbly attempted to give this thought to our beloved Pius IX. It is probable that the time had not yet come. The Pope who will do this, under the impulse of the Holy Spirit, will be the reformer of the world.” Throughout Christendom, illustrious Saints were longing for the reign of Jesus Host. While waiting for the greatest authority on earth to pronounce himself, they tried to fan the flames of Eucharistic love in as many hearts as possible. We have only to consider Saint Peter Julian Eymard, Father Hermann Cohen, and Ven. Mother Marie-Therese of the Heart of Jesus. Saint John Bosco (1815-1888) advocated daily Communion in all his educational establishments. In 1892, Leo XIII proclaimed: “Our time will be saved only by devotion to the Eucharist received frequently and daily.” It was not until the election of Saint Pius X to the See of Peter (1903-1914) that Christendom was liberated from its overly distant relationship with the Eucharist. Through letters and decrees, he promoted frequent, daily Communion, not only for adults but also for children. He often said, “It is better that children receive Jesus when their hearts are still pure; then the devil will lose his power.” On August 8, 1910, the “Pope of the Eucharist” signed the memorable decree Quam Singulari which stated: “The age of discretion for receiving Holy Communion is that at which the child knows the difference between the Eucharistic Bread and ordinary, material bread.” And again: “Those who have charge of the children should zealously see to it that these children frequently approach the Holy Table, even daily Transformed by early Communion: GUY DE FONTGALLAND 1913-1925 Centennial of his death The Bread of Angels produces angels on the earth, angels of purity, piety, charity. Hilaire Mercier de Lacombe
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