"Easter Duty?"

There was a time when Catholics went to church rarely, and consequently were made to receive penance before every Mass they did attend. Because of the strict rules in effect in the middle ages, it was believed that even cloistered nuns and monks should only receive Communion a few times a year.

This situation changed in the 20th century when Pope Pius X updated the practice by urging early Communion for children and frequent communion for all.

Some people believe that "the Easter Duty" refers to going to Confession before Easter. It really means that Catholics who have made their first communion must receive communion at least once between Easter and Pentecost.

That said, however, if the communicant is aware of any grave sin, he or she must go to confession before receiving communion.

Communal Penance Services are generally held during Lent (and also during Advent) and do not forget that most-if not all-churches provide times for confession on Saturdays (check your bulletin or call your parish); Lent is an excellent time to avail yourself of this sacrament.

How often should you go to confession? This is a balance that is difficult to strike if one doesn't know one self well. To go to confession too often risks becoming obsessed with one's own sinfulness (scrupulosity is a danger here); not going to confession often enough can lead to complacency and tepidity (the illusion that my sins are not really affecting my life or others is the danger here). A rule of thumb: go at least twice a year except if there is an "issue" in your life- then you may need to receive this healing sacrament on a monthly basis.

The so-called "Easter Duty" is really a sublime privilege: to receive the Lord in communion is so important that one ought to do so at least once a year. For those who have strayed, it is a gentle but firm imperative to come back to Church, go to confession and be nourished at the joyful time of Easter.

"I believe that most Catholics and other Christians increasingly hunger for a deeper personal relationship with God and with Jesus. They are not satisfied any longer with 'obeying the rules of the club,' even in the sacrament of penance."

(Catholic Q&A, John J Dietzen)