Fasting before mass - mortal sin?

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I_Thirst said:
This is one of the oddities of our day. Mass has become synomous with receiving communion.
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Of course it’s synonymous! I go to daily Mass FOR COMMUNION. If I go to Mass and cannot receive Holy Communion, it feels like being at a broadway show and wearing a blindfold! My whole reason for being there is to receive Our Lord. I can read the Gospel in bed.
 
Christine85 said:
Im feeling a bit guilty after coming across this. I am a newly Confirmed Catholic, and I read on wikipedia some time ago about this fast though I didnt know whether to take it seriously though because of the source… oops.
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Don’t feel guilty. You didn’t know. Now you do, thanks to CAF forum. Welcome to the faith.

P.S. I’m surprised this wasn’t covered in your RCIA classes.
 
RosaryFan said:
Of course it’s synonymous! I go to daily Mass FOR COMMUNION. If I go to Mass and cannot receive Holy Communion, it feels like being at a broadway show and wearing a blindfold! My whole reason for being there is to receive Our Lord. I can read the Gospel in bed.
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Another tragedy of our time. Not to pick on you, but the main purpose of going to Mass is to join with the priest in offering the sacrifice. That’s #1. Not receiving Communion would be like attending a Broadway show, sitting in the front row but not getting a back-stage pass.
 
RosaryFan said:
Of course it’s synonymous! I go to daily Mass FOR COMMUNION. If I go to Mass and cannot receive Holy Communion, it feels like being at a broadway show and wearing a blindfold! My whole reason for being there is to receive Our Lord. I can read the Gospel in bed.
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As a Catholic, you may read the Gospel anywhere you wish; but you are obligated as a Catholic to hear it read at Mass on Sunday, not just in bed.

As far you thinking that Mass and receiving communion are synonymous, I will pray for you will receive deeper catechesis on this matter.
 
puzzleannie said:
OP did not ask the rules for the communion fast, he asked about a specific situation. where did I say it is not a mortal sin to deliberately, willfully, with intent, to break the fast? it is harder than you think to commit a mortal sin–not hard to do the deeds, that is relatively easy, but hard to really be in an intentional frame of mind to sin grievously and deliberately with the force of intent that makes it mortal, that is, the willingness to sever one’s relationship with God in order to attain the end of the sinful act.
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While yes one has to have grave matter and full knowledge and deliberate consent…I would not though paint it as so difficult…one for example does not need to have the willingness to server ones relationship in some directly intended way or in an explicit way…etc. One does not have to intend to break ones relationship with God at all (not saying you said such…but to add).

One needs together: grave matter, full knowledge and deliberate consent.
 
The Compendium issued by Pope Benedict XVI gives a nice summary:
  1. When does one commit a mortal sin?
1855-1861
1874

One commits a mortal sin when there are simultaneously present: grave matter, full knowledge, and deliberate consent. This sin destroys charity in us, deprives us of sanctifying grace, and, if unrepented, leads us to the eternal death of hell. It can be forgiven in the ordinary way by means of the sacraments of Baptism and of Penance or Reconciliation.
  1. When does one commit a venial sin?
1862-1864
1875

One commits a venial sin, which is essentially different from a mortal sin, when the matter involved is less serious or, even if it is grave, when full knowledge or complete consent are absent. Venial sin does not break the covenant with God but it weakens charity and manifests a disordered affection for created goods. It impedes the progress of a soul in the exercise of the virtues and in the practice of moral good. It merits temporal punishment which purifies.
 
Interesting thread.

Orthodox Christians are required to fast from all food and drink (including water) and abstain from marital relations in preparation for receiving the Eucharist, the fast commencing no later than when the communicant retires to sleep the preceding evening.
Of course there are exceptions for the iinfirm and elderly.

This was also the Roman Catholic practice for many centuries. However, Pope Paul VI changed this fasting discipline on November 21, 1964. Does anyone no why?
 
Mickey said:
Interesting thread.

Orthodox Christians are required to fast from all food and drink (including water) and abstain from marital relations in preparation for receiving the Eucharist, the fast commencing no later than when the communicant retires to sleep the preceding evening.
Of course there are exceptions for the iinfirm and elderly.

This was also the Roman Catholic practice for many centuries. However, Pope Paul VI changed this fasting discipline on November 21, 1964. Does anyone no why?
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I don’t think there was ever a rule about fasting from marital relations in the Latin Church.🙂

As for the rules on food and drink, it wasn’t a sudden change in 1964. In 1957 (or maybe 1953) the rules were relaxed from “after midnight” to a 3 hour fast. It was at that time, I believe that water was considered not to break the fast. At least one of the reasons was the growth of parishes necessitating multiple Masses. All Masses were not early in the morning any more. In the early 1960’s the Saturday evening Mass in anticipation was permitted so a “from midnight” fast would have severely limited people from receiving Communion at those Masses.

There has always been a tension between wanting a physical act to demonstrate an internal preparedness and the desire to encourage frequent reception of Communion. In the 1960s, the latter was the stronger influence. The relaxation from three to one hour came along at the same time as no longer having an absolute latest time to arrive at Mass and have it still “count”. There was a desire to honor the spirit of the discipline without being too legalistic.
 
Regarding the fast before Communion, Canon 919 does not answer all the questions about this important topic.

Let us also keep in mind that Eucharist means Thanksgiving.

Who, among the following, may receive Communion?

Jim is in the Communion line, and suddenly remembers he ate a doughnut 35 minutes ago.

Jack is in the same line, and honestly cannot recall whether he kept the one hour fast or not.

Nancy is sixty-five, but still runs marathons, and can military press 140 pounds. She excuses herself from the fast because she believes she is “elderly” (as in Can 919, section three).

Frank is bringing up the end of the line, and intentionally eats right before Mass as he feels the idea of a fast is stupid.
 
thememphisman said:
yesterday i drank a hot tea around 9:30. daily mass started at 10. when i was drinking the tea i wasnt planning on going to mass, but around 10 i decided that it would be good to get back in the habit of going to daily mass. when it came time to receive eucharist i began to think whether or not i had fasted before mass. i decided to receive eucharist despite having drank tea only 30 mins before mass started.

is this mortally sinful? or am i being too hard on myself?

thanks
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No, I’m assuming the communion is more than half an hour into the Mass so you would have received the Eucharist gone 10.30 also having a beverage doesn’t count as breaking the fast.

If, however, you do ever find yourself at Mass - having recently eaten - just don’t receive communion and receive a blessing instead from your priest
 
I believe beverages such as tea and coffee are forbidden for one hour before receiving Holy Communion.
 
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