Feasting 15 minutes before Mass: not breaking the communion fast?

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Lepanto

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In this “Ask the Apologist” thread:

forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=61838

the question was asked:

“Is a cup of coffee on the way to Mass permitted? I consider it just like water but my daughter argues that it is not permitted to drink coffee before Mass.”

and the reply was:

“The rule is that there is a one hour fast from all food and liquids before Communion (not before Mass). The only exceptions to this rule are water and medicine. Those who have medical conditions that make such a fast dangerous are exempt from the fast. If you can finish your coffee at least one hour before Communion, then it is fine to drink it on the way to church. Otherwise, coffee does break the Communion fast.”

Well, assuming that communion is 45 minutes into the Mass, does that mean that we can gorge ourselves on our favorite food and drink all the way up to a mere 15 minutes before Mass starts?

Does that 15 minutes really constitute a fast? I find this quite laughable. (My parents were taught to fast from all food and drink from the midnight before Mass.)
 
Perhaps many of the older generation would consider the current fasting regulations quite laughable. One hour before communion means just that. So if you’re sure that you won’t be receiving communion until 45 minutes into Mass, then yes, food eaten 16 minutes earlier would not break the fast. But, I agree, that would be pushing it.

When I was in elementary school, the Eucharistic fast was no food OR water from midnight (the start of the day) until you received communion. We always had breakfast after Mass.
 
Fasting is 1 hour before recieveing and not before the mass. Water and medicine is allowed.

uhmm! i think its better to think the importance of fasting than the importance of coffee. :whacky:
 
The purpose of the fast is not simply for physical preparation, but also for spiritual preparation. While technically you could feast up to 15 minutes before Mass, that would not be following the spirit of the law.
 
The church says so, but thats hardly fasting. Hows about midnight the night before with not liquids or food. Not holier than thou . . . . but weve totally lowered our standards to were its just a symbol more than an act.
 
It doesn’t break the fast (unless it’s at a daily Mass) if you eat 15 minutes before Mass, but that’s hardly a fast! I would make up my own fasting requirements and hold myself to them- or not receive communion (although it would be pharisaical to share what they are).
 
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A.Pelliccio:
The church says so, but thats hardly fasting. Hows about midnight the night before with not liquids or food. Not holier than thou . . . . but weve totally lowered our standards to were its just a symbol more than an act.
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Midnight was fine, when there was Mass at 6AM. Now there are Sunday evening Masses. Folks use to pass out at the 11AM Mass in the old days. The church seeks reverence for the Eucharist, but understands that many are on medication and must have food with that medication Etc. There are blood sugar problems with millions of people.One hour done reverently is better than 12 hours done because it is the law.
 
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