Did I break the fast before communion?

[Jabronie]

I went to a 5:00 Mass after work today and stopped drinking coffee at 4:30. Church last less than a half hour and I received Communion at 5:25.

So I have to questions:

1. Does coffee “count” as something you should abstain from before receiving?
2. If coffee do count, then I only fasted for 55 minutes instead of an hour. Did I sin?

Thanks!

 

[Dr.Colossus]

Yes, coffee counts as something from which you need to fast before receiving Communion, however since you did not intend to break the fast, you are not guilty of sin. In the future however, since you now know that this Mass can end up being very short, you may want to make an effort to begin your fast a little earlier.

 

[gelsbern]

Were you unaware of the rules, or did you just learn about them since Sunday? Since you are asking, one would have to assume that you didn’t know the rules, and you probably would be able claim ignorance, however that is for you to decide as you examine your conscience and pray about the issue.

ewtn.com/faith/teachings/euchb2a.htm

370, What are the current rules for fasting before Holy Communion?

(a) For many centuries the Church commanded a strict fast from midnight before one could receive Holy Communion. However, in the 1950’s Pope Pius XII introduced a much more lenient form of fasting before Holy Communion in order to give Catholics an opportunity to receive Holy Communion more frequently.

(b) Pope Pius XII also allowed the celebration of afternoon and evening Masses every day, when the spiritual good of a considerable number of the faithful requires it. It is the right of the bishop of each diocese to decide when such Masses may be offered in his diocese.

(c) Paul VI further reduced the fasting requirement after the Second Vatican Council, requiring only a one hour fast from all food and drink (excluding water). This may be reduced to 15 minutes for those who are sick or for other important reasons. This is the practice currently in force.

 

[Jabronie]

gelsbern:

Were you unaware of the rules, or did you just learn about them since Sunday? Since you are asking, one would have to assume that you didn’t know the rules, and you probably would be able claim ignorance, however that is for you to decide as you examine your conscience and pray about the issue.

ewtn.com/faith/teachings/euchb2a.htm

Coffee had never come up before. I usually don’t drink it in the afternoon, so I never had to consider it for the pre-communion fast. On weekends I either attend Mass before my morning coffee, or in the evening.

I think since I read that it’s okay to drink coffee on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, I thought maybe fasting doesn’t include coffee.

Thanks for the replies, and sorry my grammer was bad in the original post. Sometimes just I type too fast…