I messed up!

[Treytot99]

Well it was thirty minutes before mass when I totally forgot about the hour fast. I had a protein shake… Is this a major sin?? Please help!

                         Thanks in advance
                                          Trey C.

 

[AlanFromWichita]

A: No, it is not a mortal sin because you forgot. For a sin to be mortal, it has to be done with full intent and knowledge. Basically premeditation, which was not present in your case.

B: The fast is for an hour before receiving Communion, not the beginning of Mass, so at the Masses I normally go to that means about 20-25 minutes before Mass.

Alan

 

[CatholicRaven]

You’ll find plenty of info here about fasting before receiving the Eucharist:
ewtn.com/library/ANSWERS/PREPPEN.htm

"This regulation, however, does not mean we have to be scrupulous and count off seconds. I remember once I concelebrated Mass with a priest who had eaten one-half hour before Mass and was worried that he would not have a one-hour fast before receiving Holy Communion. He literally set his watch for one hour, dragged out the prayers and stood at the altar while I finished giving everyone else Holy Communion until the hour had ticked away. While we do not want to be lax, we do not want to be scrupulous. The goodness of receiving Holy Communion supersedes the precise ‘hour of fast’ if there is doubt." (emphasis mine)
HTH.

Also wanted to point out that “premeditation” is not meant in the sense that one has to plan ahead to do it, but only in the sense that* you had a choice.* That can be a little confusing, so I wanted to clarify.

What is required for it to be a mortal sin is that it is grave matter, there is consent of the will (a choice), and you have knowledge that it’s wrong.

 

[DexUK]

You almost certainly had an hour between consuming your drink and receiving Communion, so in all likelihood you didn’t mess up at all

In any case, if you really didn’t leave it an hour next time, you don’t have to receive Communion. Your Sunday obligation is to attend, not to receive. You can either stay in the pew or approach with your arms across your chest for a blessing instead of the Host.

 

[Sirach2]

I made a goof lilke this and finished my morning coffee, not realizing the time frame before mass. Since I wanted very much to receive communion, my priest gave me a dispensation in the sacristy before mass to go ahead and receive. They have the authority to grant this, so if you find yourself in this “mess” again and become concerned, there is this option.

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

If this situation arises again, keep in mind that you do not have to receive communion every time you go to Mass. If you realize that you haven’t fasted for an hour, simply stay in your pew at communion and make an act of spiritual communion. If will probably help you remember the next time!

 

[AlanFromWichita]

Also wanted to point out that “premeditation” is not meant in the sense that one has to plan ahead to do it, but only in the sense that* you had a choice.* That can be a little confusing, so I wanted to clarify.

What is required for it to be a mortal sin is that it is grave matter, there is consent of the will (a choice), and you have knowledge that it’s wrong.

Thank you for making that clearer. I tend to think in absolutes, so when I typed “premeditation” I mean even for a brief moment. Maybe “intentionally” would have been closer to the right shade of meaning. But like you say, it is a choice. You have a choice, and you knowingly and willfully consent to make the “wrong” one.

Alan

 

[Edward_H]

You’d be surprised at the graces that you can receive by not receiving Holy Communion when there is a doubt about your fast or about a sin. The devil hates humility.

Sometimes not receiving when in doubt will spur you on to greater closeness with God, perhaps sending you to a good confession.