Fasting before EF Mass

[Glennon_P]

I think it is just some confusion regarding the two uses of the word “missal”. I have a 1962 St. Joseph’s Missal. It has a section on fasting and abstinence which discusses the three hour fast. But that book we call the missall is not the “Missal” that is used to celebrate the EF Mass. In the same way that our paper missalettes are not the missal referred to in the GIRM, the Missal of 1962 is the book for the priest to use when offering Mass. The St. Joseph’s (or Baronius or any other missal) is a book that contains a lot of the parts of the Missal but also has some extra “goodies” such as the Treasury of prayers, the stations of the Cross, etc.

Could that be where the question arose?

No, really…the original question arose was nothing more than curioisity on my part: The EF is celebrated the way it was back in 1962 - does that mean the Eucharistic fast is the same as it was back in 1962?

Clearly, the answer is “no”…and I appreciate folks providing the answer.

 

[Layman]

My preference would be go the harder route, as an offering to Christ.

Anyone can stop eating for three hours. Likewise, you can refrain from eating from the time you go to bed until Communion at morning Mass. Look at the austerities the Saints happily put themselves through. Three hours without food is a small thing.

**Try it. You’ll find, once you get over the initial resistance, that you enjoy it. **