Coffee and the Eucharistic fast?

[Zerg]

Does drinking coffee in the morning several hours before Saturday evening Mass (vigil Mass for Sunday) break one’s Eucharistic fast?

Technically, the fast before the reception of communion is one hour, however Fr Mike Schmidt says that we are not meant to simply “watch” the Mass (under the influence of caffeine from coffee) instead of prayerfully adding to the oblation (sacrifice) of the priest at Mass.

Taking the above into account, is drinking coffee several hours before Mass a matter of personal conscience?

 

[HomeschoolDad]

Does drinking coffee in the morning several hours before Saturday evening Mass (vigil Mass for Sunday) break one’s Eucharistic fast?

Technically, the fast before the reception of communion is one hour, however Fr Mike Schmidt says that we are not meant to simply “watch” the Mass (under the influence of caffeine from coffee) instead of prayerfully adding to the oblation (sacrifice) of the priest at Mass.

Taking the above into account, is drinking coffee several hours before Mass a matter of personal conscience?

I'm not clear from your question whether Fr Schmidt mentioned "the influence of caffeine from coffee", or whether this is something you added, but the Eucharistic fast is only one hour, and nobody is obliged to go beyond it. Caffeine is a naturally occurring substance and there is nothing sinful about partaking of it in moderation. I'm sure coffee and tea are served in many Catholic institutions, including probably in the Vatican cafeteria. We are not Latter-day Saints.

I have to think that it would be a too-tender conscience, that would worry about having partaken of caffeine longer than an hour prior to receiving communion. If Fr Schmidt specifically mentioned caffeine, I see this as going a bit too far.

 

[Zerg]

I'm not clear from your question whether Fr Schmidt mentioned "the influence of caffeine from coffee", or whether this is something you added, but the Eucharistic fast is only one hour, and nobody is obliged to go beyond it. Caffeine is a naturally occurring substance and there is nothing sinful about partaking of it in moderation. I'm sure coffee and tea are served in many Catholic institutions, including probably in the Vatican cafeteria. We are not Latter-day Saints.

I have to think that it would be a too-tender conscience, that would worry about having partaken of caffeine longer than an hour prior to receiving communion. If Fr Schmidt specifically mentioned caffeine, I see this as going a bit too far.

Here is the video in question:

Yes, I did add the bit “under the influence of caffeine” because that was my interpretation of Fr Mike’s video.

Fr Mike Schmidts mentioned that a Catholic man’s Protestant girlfriend asked if she could bring coffee with her when attending Mass. Fr Schmidts spoke about the Eucharistic fast but he also mentioned the importance of participation in Mass (referring to when the priest says “Lord, look upon the oblation of your church”.

I see your rationale about having coffee in moderation. Thank you, @HomeschoolDad for your reply. I feel more at ease now.

 

[vz71]

Having listened a great deal to Fr Mike Schmidts, I can readily see why he needs no extra caffeine.

That said, there is no reason to go beyond the church requirement for the Eucharist fast.