Father Casimir Wyszynski

ion was delayed until afternoon, sometimes even until the hours of 3 or 4pm. It was only then that people, worn out by such prepa- ration, were admitted to receive Holy Communion. Priests re- fused to hear confessions on a holyday. It was even forbidden to ask for confession on such a day, so the poor people would have to go to confession on weekdays and had to work hard before confession and Holy Communion. It happened that many people who were working on an empty stomach since the day before, suffered various pains and nausea so strongly that they were barely able to receive Holy Communion. Others went to confes- sion and Communion without proper preparation, because they did not have time after work. The youths involved in theseworks were not only unprepared, but after exchanging gossip and jokes duringwork time theywould go straight fromwork to Commun- ion. Thewomen also, after joking around, even having arguments whileworking at distaff, went to Communion very disrespectfully, as if they were ignorant of the truths of faith and were not told how to receive such a great sacrament worthily. They would be returning home, some laughing, others gossiping and others quarrelling. The weaker became ill, weary of such toil. Others, havingworked the day before, were hungry the day after, so after receiving Communion they ran quickly to the Jews’ inn, where tired and with empty stomachs, they drank vodka and became instantly drunk and went away shouting. I have often witnessed that therewas no use in offering confession andHoly Communion associated with additional work; I heard people complaining or lamenting because of nausea and pain. When Holy Communion was delayed they had no chance to eat. As I was looking at all this, my heart ached for the people so unnecessarily and unjustly tor- mented, and for the disrespect inflicted on the great sacrament by making imperfect confession and improper reception of Holy Communion, because they had to work during the time they should have been given to prepare for these sacraments. “This situation was scandalizing the Jews and heretics who were convinced that this Church commandment was instituted for nothing else but the greater enrichment of priests. Therefore, when I was in Poland I looked for away to put an end to suchmal- 59 The Servant of Mary Immaculate