Fasting from the Eucharist during Lent?

[apricot_yogurt]

This strikes me as an odd thing to do, since surely Lent is about building our relationship with Jesus. Someone in our RCIA mentioned this. (A Catholic, not a seeker, I should point out).
Thoughts?

 

[PatriceA]

Very odd. I can’t imagine any one even wanting to do that, let alone advising others to fast from the Eucharist. That would be a huge red flag for me.

 

[MaryMagdala]

Sundays are not counted in Lent.

There would be no reason to “abstain” from Eucharist.

“Maybe” at daily Mass if attended, but I think that is a little off the wall, as well.

 

[centurionguard]

I’ve never heard of abstinence from the Eucharist itself.
The only thing that comes close is from reading from the history of one of the Saints who was also a spiritual director. (“Can’t remember the saints name”) However; as the story goes a devote woman or nun whenever she would receive the Eucharist, she would go into a blissful trance like ecstasy. When she confronted her priestly spiritual director he told her to temporarily cease receiving the Eucharist thinking that her senses were attached too much to the feeling of the ecstasy itself.

 

[thistle]

This strikes me as an odd thing to do, since surely Lent is about building our relationship with Jesus. Someone in our RCIA mentioned this. (A Catholic, not a seeker, I should point out).
Thoughts?

There is no such requirement or recommendation.
In fact the Church strongly encourages the faithful to receive Holy Communion as often as possible within the restriction of maximum twice per day.

 

[japhy]

Here’s a post I wrote two years ago on this matter.Fasting from the Eucharist isn’t something we’re required to do, although Cardinal Ratzinger did write about the practice; here is an excerpt from someone else’s essay on the matter:

A problem that all of us are heir to is the possibility that we will allow the reception of Communion to become routine and, thus, fail to allow it to attain the transforming effect it is intended to bring about in our lives. Following up on what he had written about the plight of those deprived of Eucharist, Cardinal Ratzinger speaks, surprisingly but wisely, about fasting from the Eucharist. {cf. Pilgrimage Fellowship, pgs. 86-88} He makes important cautionary points: if done, it ought to be infrequent and for a limited time; it should not be chosen without the advice and direction of a wise spiritual director who will help the one fasting to discover the motivation and clarify the purpose for such an action; and the goal should be to deepen one’s appreciation for the Eucharist so that it is received in the future with greater concentration and deeper love. The Cardinal points out that as fasting from physical food breaks what is normal and necessary for the sake of some spiritual gain, so sacramental fasting is not normal and therefore only to be cautiously entered into.Pope Leo XIII wrote about the practice in passing in his encyclical Mirae Caritatis (n. 19) of 1902:But the chief aim of our efforts must be that the frequent reception of the Eucharist may be everywhere revived among Catholic peoples. For this is the lesson which is taught us by the example, already referred to, of the primitive Church, by the decrees of Councils, by the authority of the Fathers and of the holy men in all ages. For the soul, like the body, needs frequent nourishment; and the holy Eucharist provides that food which is best adapted to the support of its life. Accordingly all hostile prejudices, those vain fears to which so many yield, and their specious excuses from abstaining from the Eucharist, must be resolutely put aside; for there is question here of a gift than which none other can be more serviceable to the faithful people, either for the redeeming of time from the tyranny of anxious cares concerning perishable things, or for the renewal of the Christian spirit and perseverance therein. To this end the exhortations and example of all those who occupy a prominent position will powerfully contribute, but most especially the resourceful and diligent zeal of the clergy. For priests, to whom Christ our Redeemer entrusted the office of consecrating and dispensing the mystery of His Body and Blood, can assuredly make no better return for the honor which has been conferred upon them, than by promoting with all their might the glory of his Eucharist, and by inviting and drawing the hearts of men to the health-giving springs of this great Sacrament and Sacrifice, seconding hereby the longings of His most Sacred Heart.This was followed by Sacra Tridentia of 1905, which explained some of the history of the practices of receiving Communion (ir)regularly, and promoted regular reception.​

 

[OraLabora]

Weird indeed. Lent is supposed to help us separate more from worldly concerns and enter into a deeper communion with Christ. It’s a time for humility in the face of our own faults, reconciliation with Christ, and communion with Him.

 

[DomusAurea]

I’ve heard of it.
I think it falls under the same category as self-flagellation (is that the term?). Lot’s of holy people have done it. It takes a special relationship with God and years of “simpler” self-denyings to come to such a decision. It should never be done without consultation - and willingness to obey the one you’re consulting.

 

[apricot_yogurt]

Perhaps the gentleman in question was being facetious. Or joking.
I must say I had never heard of this before.

 

[bpbasilphx]

In the Byzantine tradition, Mondays through Fridays (with the exception of Annunciation and Holy Thursday) in Great Lent are aliturgical: that is, the complete Eucharistic Sacrifice is not celebrated, as this itself has Paschal overtones.

Instead, on these days (usually Wednesdays and Fridays in Parishes) is celebrated in the evening the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts, which is basically Vespers followed by Communion from the Reserved Gifts, precisely so the faithful can crown a day of fasting with the Body and Blood of Christ.

Could that be what you were thinking about?

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

This strikes me as an odd thing to do, since surely Lent is about building our relationship with Jesus. Someone in our RCIA mentioned this. (A Catholic, not a seeker, I should point out).
Thoughts?

Absolutely ridicules, that is worse than fasting from Holy Water.

 

[cameron_lansing]

This strikes me as an odd thing to do, since surely Lent is about building our relationship with Jesus. Someone in our RCIA mentioned this. (A Catholic, not a seeker, I should point out).
Thoughts?

Odd is an understatement, but this one surfaces from time to time.

The circular letter that addressed the removal of holy water during Lent also spoke to abstaining from the sacraments.
ewtn.com/expert/answers/holy_water_fonts_and_lent.htm

If you dig through the internet, you should find a stronger reproval from that from the Holy See. I don’t have it handy.

Then there was the story of the person who suggested that wine not be used for consecration (we should give up drinking for Lent, went the argument!)

The Gnostics used to abstain from the Eucharist, too, since they denied the incarnation.

 

[Holly3278]

Mother Angelica mentioned this yesterday on Mother Angelica Live. To me, fasting from the Eucharist during Lent would be a very irresponsible thing to do and possibly even a sin.