Do cough drops break the Eucharistic fast?

[marypar]

I never want to miss Mass on Sunday, and I had a bad cough with coughing fits day and night. I planned to not receive Communion until my husband said it is wrong to withhold Communion if you are in the State of Grace (which I am). So during the Mass I was near having coughing fits and had to take one or two cough drops. I still coughed and was quite embarrassed. I then decided I would go to Communion. Was this a sin?

1. Do I have to bring this up at my next Confession (I will continue to receive every Sunday).
2. Is my husband right? That if you are in the State of Grace it is a sin NOT to receive at Mass. I never heard of that before.

thank you.

 

[Fr.Vincent_Serpa]

Hi,

It is not a sin to refrain from receiving Holy Communion if one is in the state of grace. The Lord does not force Himself on us. But if you need to take medication within an hour before receiving, you are allowed to do so. This includes the use of cough drops. You did not sin. I hope you are feeling better.

Fr. Vincent Serpa, O.P.