Fasting before receiving Eucharist

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joenlee

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Two years ago I sponsored a person through RCIA. During the session on the Eucharist, our Pastor said Mass from an educational point of view. In other words, as he said mass he explained each part in detail. Just before the liturgy of the Eucharist, he decided it was a good time to take the normal break and directed every one to the snack table. I asked him about the need to fast one hour before receiving communion and he said that the fasting is no longer required. I have recently been told that our pastor is wrong. Are we required to fast before receiving the Eucharist at Mass?
 
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joenlee:
Two years ago I sponsored a person through RCIA. During the session on the Eucharist, our Pastor said Mass from an educational point of view. In other words, as he said mass he explained each part in detail. Just before the liturgy of the Eucharist, he decided it was a good time to take the normal break and directed every one to the snack table. I asked him about the need to fast one hour before receiving communion and he said that the fasting is no longer required. I have recently been told that our pastor is wrong. Are we required to fast before receiving the Eucharist at Mass?
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  1. The Canon Law of the Catholic Church states:
Canon 919 §1 “Whoever is to receive the blessed Eucharist is to abstain for at least one hour before holy communion from all food and drink, with the sole exception of water and medicine.”

What about the elderly and those who are suffering from illness? Must they also wait one hour before receiving Holy Communion?

No. On that matter, the Canon Law states:

Canon 919 §3 “The elderly and those who are suffering from some illness, as well as those who care for them, may receive the blessed Eucharist even if within the preceding hour they have consumed something.”
 
Thank you. How to proceed??? I have just been accepted to the parish council. I’d hate to start off by calling the pastor a liar.

Any suggestions?
 
just show him this thread, or the source cited, privately and ask him please clarify for me, because if I get involved in RCIA I want to make sure I don’t tell anyone the wrong thing.
 
also women who are pregnant or nursing are excused from the fast if they must have something to sustain themselves, or at least that is what I was told during RCIA…we had a pregnant lady in my class…
 
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