Fasting before communion...again

[Phemie]

No big issue for most folks, then.

I am old enough to remember the nothing after midnight rule, which could seem tough to a 6-7 year old who was to recieve the Blessed Sacrament at 6pm Mass.

We had things more austere in those days - cue the Monty Python ‘4 Yorkshiremen’ sketch:

youtu.be/Xe1a1wHxTyo

When the fast was from midnight, Masses weren’t allowed to be celebrated after noon. The fast was reduced and evening Masses were allowed (after 4 pm) in 1953 by Pius XII’s Apostolic Constitution “Christus Dominus”.

 

[Mount_Carmel]

I fast before Communion, I would feel spiritually very uncomfortable if I didn’t. I accept that there are those who for medical reasons may need to ‘graze’ within that ‘hour’ before Mass. I know some folks try to work out to the minute just when they are likely to be in the queue for Communion and work the deadline back from there - but surely that is not in the spirit of the occasion?

As for me, well I am 67 and in ‘iffy’ health - I won’t bore you with the list - but I still feel I should make the effort {such as it is], because I can, thanks be to God.

ps. Phemie - Regarding the old Mass times, there were exceptions, and oh, yes, for the first 16 years of my life I lived in a Military environment.

 

[twopekinguys]

That’s not for those who are healthy, but for those who are sick and those confined to a nursing home where meals may well interfere with the fast. I’ll be 60 in a few months and there is absolutely no reason for me not to fast for Communion. Even in his mid-80s my father was keeping that fast. That changed when he went to the hospital for several months before he died.

Notice it says “are elderly” with the age clarification, followed by “or”.

" those who are elderly (at least 60 years of age) **or **sick…"

So, it is saying that those that “are” elderly, “or” sick don’t have to fast.

Of course, if you can, you should, but it is clear from this that it is not mandatory.

 

[MSSheBear]

Notice it says “are elderly” with the age clarification, followed by “or”.

" those who are elderly (at least 60 years of age) **or **sick…"

So, it is saying that those that “are” elderly, “or” sick don’t have to fast.

Of course, if you can, you should, but it is clear from this that it is not mandatory.

It is not clear from the context. From the context it sounds as those who are home-bound aren’t bound by the rules. I wouldn’t see how anyone would perceive sixty year olds as “elderly.” Anyhow, to violate the current one hour fast for the Sunday Mass I would have to eat right before Mass, in the nave, since I am there 10 minutes early. (No, I don’t sit on the end of the row but in the middle.)

 

[twopekinguys]

It is not clear from the context. From the context it sounds as those who are home-bound aren’t bound by the rules. I wouldn’t see how anyone would perceive sixty year olds as “elderly.” Anyhow, to violate the current one hour fast for the Sunday Mass I would have to eat right before Mass, in the nave, since I am there 10 minutes early. (No, I don’t sit on the end of the row but in the middle.)

Here is another point on it. Notice the commas indicating the different categories excused from the fast.

“Elderly people, those who are ill, and their caretakers are excused from the Eucharistic fast (CIC 191 §3).”

catholic.com/tracts/who-can-receive-communion

By virtue of age, a person is excused from the fast, but of course can continue if able to do so.

See post # 18. The document (“Immensae Caritatis,” 1973) stated the age for elderly, I didn’t

 

[Phemie]

This seems to confirm the over 59 exception for the Eucharistic fast. (bolding mine)

“Second, those who are elderly (at least 60 years of age) or sick as well as their caretakers can receive Communion even if a full hour fast has not been fulfilled. For example, people in the hospital are not in control of their own schedule and may be eating or have just finished eating when visited by the priest or Eucharistic minister. Therefore, the period of fast before receiving Holy Communion is reduced to “approximately one quarter of an hour” for those who are sick at home or at a medical facility, those elderly confined to home or a nursing home, and those who care for these people and who are unable conveniently to observe the fast** (“Immensae Caritatis,” 1973).”**

Where did you find this quote? My copy of Immensae Caritatis say this:

To give recognition to the dignity of the sacrament and to stir up joy at the coming of the Lord, it is well to observe a period of silence and recollection. It is a sufficient sign of devotion and respect on the part of the sick if they direct their mind for a brief period to this great mystery. The duration of the eucharistic fast, that is, of abstaining from food or alcoholic drink, is reduced to approximately a quarter of an hour for:

     1. the sick in health-care facilities or at home, even if they are         not bedridden;

     2. the faithful of advanced years, whether they are confined to their         homes because of old age or live in homes for the aged;

     3. sick priests, even if not bedridden, and elderly priests, as         regards both celebrating Mass and receiving communion;

     4. persons caring for, as well as the family and friends of, the sick         and elderly who wish to receive communion with them, whenever such         persons cannot keep the one-hour fast without inconvenience.

Nothing there about those who are quite capable of going to Mass to receive Communion. Nor is there anything giving an age.

 

[twopekinguys]

Where did you find this quote? My copy of Immensae Caritatis say this:
Nothing there about those who are quite capable of going to Mass to receive Communion. Nor is there anything giving an age.

Try post 17, which also uses commas to differentiate the different groups.

My initial cut and paste can be found here.

Then of course I provided the link from Catholic.com in an earlier post.

 

[Phemie]

Try post 17, which also uses commas to differentiate the different groups.

My initial cut and paste can be found here.

Then of course I provided the link from Catholic.com in an earlier post.

So the quote wasn’t directly from Immensae Caritatis but rather an opinion that greatly expanded what IC laid out since IC limited it to the elderly who are confined to their homes or nursing homes, not simply old and definitely not someone aged 60 who simply doesn’t want to maintain the fast.

 

[twopekinguys]

So the quote wasn’t directly from Immensae Caritatis but rather an opinion that greatly expanded what IC laid out since IC limited it to the elderly who are confined to their homes or nursing homes, not simply old and definitely not someone aged 60 who simply doesn’t want to maintain the fast.

Did you notice post 17 which appears to be quoting Canon law? It lists “elderly” as an individual category. That is what the comma does.

Now, as far as an arbitrary age of 60, I’m not sure where the priest on the EWTN website came up with that particular number, but I am almost certain he didn’t pluck it out of mid air.

The way the Canon reads in post 17, it is not limiting people to being elderly or infirm in their home or another facility, but merely elderly or infirm.

 

[MSSheBear]

Also if anyone cares for the elderly they are excused from the fast, right?

 

[twopekinguys]

Also if anyone cares for the elderly they are excused from the fast, right?

Yep, that’s the way I read it.

 

[JamesB99]

I think you should stick to a strict 1 hour.
Can you organise yourself to have a late breakfast at your desk, and then always have a late lunch too?

 

[Phemie]

Also if anyone cares for the elderly they are excused from the fast, right?

The EMHC shows up to give your sick/elderly mother Communion and you’ve just had breakfast? By all means, receive Communion with her.

But just how far are you willing to extend that? You work in a nursing home, have Sunday off but don’t have to fast because you look after the elderly? You live with a sick parent for a while and can easily fast before you attend Sunday Mass but opt not to because you are caring for the ill? The Church is reasonable but expects us to also be reasonable.

 

[MSSheBear]

The EMHC shows up to give your sick/elderly mother Communion and you’ve just had breakfast? By all means, receive Communion with her.

But just how far are you willing to extend that? You work in a nursing home, have Sunday off but don’t have to fast because you look after the elderly? You live with a sick parent for a while and can easily fast before you attend Sunday Mass but opt not to because you are caring for the ill? The Church is reasonable but expects us to also be reasonable.

Well, I’d be reasonable. I assume the Church expects us to fast for one hour when we can and the one quarter hour fast applies only when someone is having a sick visit. I’d have to eat right before Mass in the Church parking lot in order to violate the fast. Daily Mass is another matter but I don’t eat before that one.