One-hour fast prior to Holy Communion

[DebChris]

Liquid bread

made with barley,

 

[A_G]

This is totally incorrect. Medicine is permitted at any time.

I apologize, you are correct that medicine can be taken at any time.

 

[A_G]

No. Medicine is not included in the fast and there is no reduction in time. You can take medicine even before walking up for Communion.

You are correct. People that require medicine can take Communion, and also I read somewhere people that are elderly can take it at any time also.

 

[DebChris]

You are correct. People that require medicine can take Communion, and also I read somewhere people that are elderly can take it at any time also.

I think 1964 was the year that the Communion fast changed from 3 hours to 1 hour.
Individuals between the ages of 14 and 60 are expected to abstain from food and drink before Communion. They are also expected to abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and Fridays in Lent. The Lenten fast applies to individuals between 21 and 60.
I’ve no doubt somebody will find the specific law that references the ages of fast and abstinence.

 

[thistle]

I think 1964 was the year that the Communion fast changed from 3 hours to 1 hour.
Individuals between the ages of 14 and 60 are expected to abstain from food and drink before Communion. They are also expected to abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and Fridays in Lent. The Lenten fast applies to individuals between 21 and 60.
I’ve no doubt somebody will find the specific law that references the ages of fast and abstinence.

Can. 1252 The law of abstinence binds those who have completed their fourteenth year. The law of fasting binds those who have attained their majority, until the beginning of their sixtieth year. Pastors of souls and parents are to ensure that even those who by reason of their age are not bound by the law of fasting and abstinence, are taught the true meaning of penance.

 

[paperwight66]

Can. 1252 The law of abstinence binds those who have completed their fourteenth year. The law of fasting binds those who have attained their majority, until the beginning of their sixtieth year. Pastors of souls and parents are to ensure that even those who by reason of their age are not bound by the law of fasting and abstinence, are taught the true meaning of penance.

But the 'fasting; referred to here is the fasting for Good Friday and Ash Wednesday. It is not referring to the token fast before Communion. In other words, even if someone has reached their 60th birthday, they are still bound by the one-hour rule (health and other exceptions permitting, of course).

 

[Phemie]

                 Originally Posted by **thistle**

Yes, it always helps to know where the canons are found. Canon 1252 is found in the section on “Days of Penance”, not the section on the Eucharist. It clarifies Can. 1251: *Abstinence from meat, or from some other food as determined by the Episcopal Conference, is to be observed on all Fridays, unless a solemnity should fall on a Friday. Abstinence and fasting are to be observed on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.
*
Canon 919 is the one that applies to receiving Communion:
Can. 919 §1. A person who is to receive the Most Holy Eucharist is to abstain for at least one hour before holy communion from any food and drink, except for only water and medicine.
§2. A priest who celebrates the Most Holy Eucharist two or three times on the same day can take something before the second or third celebration even if there is less than one hour between them.
§3. The elderly, the infirm, and those who care for them can receive the Most Holy Eucharist even if they have eaten something within the preceding hour.

 

[ConstantineTG]

You are correct. People that require medicine can take Communion, and also I read somewhere people that are elderly can take it at any time also.

Fasting is making us realize that it is Christ who gives us life, not food. But this practice should not endanger our own lives. That is why medicine can be taken any time. Many people need to take medicine at certain times of the day. It could be a matter of life or death.

Fasting should bring spiritual benefits. Endangering your own health (starvation, deprivation of needed medicine) does not, that is why there are exemptions.

 

[Joe_Kelley]

…
§3. The elderly, the infirm, and those who care for them can receive the Most Holy Eucharist even if they have eaten something within the preceding hour.

This latter exception is important because those bringing Communion to the Sick cannot always maintain a strict schedule. We recommend that they try to observe a 15 minute fast.

 

[Bonnie]

Questions about the 1-hour fast have always amused me. What are these people doing? Eating breakfast in the parking lot? Finishing up their morning coffee on the way into the church?

After breakfast my husband & I pray together, then I shower, dress, get the cats out of the house, then drive into town for Mass. By the time Communion comes around I’ve “fasted” for at least 2 hours or more. When I go into town for any other reason, it’s the same sort of schedule. Maybe that makes all my journeys holy - I’m always “fasting!”

Anyone who can’t go without food for an hour has either a serious medical problem or a serious eating disorder.

 

[ConstantineTG]

Questions about the 1-hour fast have always amused me. What are these people doing? Eating breakfast in the parking lot? Finishing up their morning coffee on the way into the church?

After breakfast my husband & I pray together, then I shower, dress, get the cats out of the house, then drive into town for Mass. By the time Communion comes around I’ve “fasted” for at least 2 hours or more. When I go into town for any other reason, it’s the same sort of schedule. Maybe that makes all my journeys holy - I’m always “fasting!”

Anyone who can’t go without food for an hour has either a serious medical problem or a serious eating disorder.

I think the other reason is that we should recognize what we are about to do, going to Mass. When we consciously fast, we know that there’s something special about to happen.