Fasting before Holy Communion?

[Phemie]

And even if they did, it wouldn’t matter, because water is allowed to everyone.

–Jen

No, it wouldn’t, but that wasn’t my point.

The elderly people in my parish grew up when the fast was from midnight and was from food and water. They welcomed the change in 1953 that allowed a much less strict fast of 3 hours. Later that fast excluded water. Now they think a one hour fast is hardly a fast since most days it would only mean that they can’t eat as they are going out the door to head to Mass.

No, it’s the younger people who seemingly can’t go anywhere without their water bottle and sometimes coffee in hand (yes, I’ve found discarded cups from our local coffee shop after Mass). For the most part those people grew up with the one hour fast and I wonder if they are even aware that there is, in fact, a fast. I’m not sure that I ever mentioned the fast at all to my children when they were growing up. I just made sure they ate their breakfast in plenty of time to not break it.

 

[Jim_Baur]

I am the OP.

THANKS!

I had no idea it would get so complicated.

I was curious. I am sorry for all of the confusion.

BLESSINGS!

 

[Phemie]

No not unless I feel myself dropping, so then I check my blood sugar very discreetly and eat something like those cheese cracker sandwiches our parish priest is fine with this. I also carry hard candy in my diabetic bag.

Yes, that would fall within the medical reasons for not observing the fast. There would be no dispensation from the fast required in a case like this.

 

[revert_jen]

No, it wouldn’t, but that wasn’t my point.

The elderly people in my parish grew up when the fast was from midnight and was from food and water. They welcomed the change in 1953 that allowed a much less strict fast of 3 hours. Later that fast excluded water. Now they think a one hour fast is hardly a fast since most days it would only mean that they can’t eat as they are going out the door to head to Mass.

No, it’s the younger people who seemingly can’t go anywhere without their water bottle and sometimes coffee in hand (yes, I’ve found discarded cups from our local coffee shop after Mass). For the most part those people grew up with the one hour fast and I wonder if they are even aware that there is, in fact, a fast. I’m not sure that I ever mentioned the fast at all to my children when they were growing up. I just made sure they ate their breakfast in plenty of time to not break it.

I understand and agree, but I didn’t want there to be confusion.

My Dad always counted the fast from the beginning of Mass. I was an adult before I know that wasn’t how it went, but I think his was a good idea, because then you don’t have to be looking at your watch to see whether you can receive the Eucharist or not. (“Gee, that homily was a bit short; am I still OK?” ) So for planning purposes, I still figure to stop eating at least an hour before Mass starts.

As for the water, I don’t think I knew the fast hadn’t always excluded water. I find it very handy, especially during allergy season. I have a tiny (4 oz) bottle of water in my purse, and if I feel a throat tickle coming on, take just a mouthful of water. It saves me from going into a dry-coughing fit in the middle of Mass. Of course people who see me do it may wonder if it’s actually vodka or gin, but anyway, God knows it isn’t.

–Jen

 

[thequeen]

A) there is no such thing as a “perpetual dispensation”.

B) a “priest friend” of yours has no authority to issue dispensations. One’s bishop or one’s pastor (with faculties from the bishop) can dispense in specific cases.

C). Many diabetics have no problem with the one hour fast, including my own pastor who is a type 1 diabetic. Of an individual with diabetes has a medical need to forego the fast, then canon919.3 applies to them.

Perhaps I should have worded it differently It wasn’t exactly a dipensation this very orthodox thinking priest told me that I was exempt from the fast because of my type one diabetes.

 

[thequeen]

Does your dear priest friend had been entrusted by the bishop to do that!? No offense, but any kind of dispensation can only be given by the authority of the bishop, or those who the bishop entrusted to give.

The Code of Cannon Law explicitly states:

As to the age one must fast:

The priests in my diocese have been given permission by the B ishop to give dispensations from certain things and they have eve been given permission to give the sacrament of confirmation.