Question about the fast before mass

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Prodigal1984

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The hour long fast before receiving the Eucharist; does this mean you must fast an hour before mass begins, or generally if you fast an hour prior to when you will be receiving the Eucharist?
For example if I fast 15 minutes before mass begins knowing the Eucharist will be distributed 45 minutes after mass begins have I technically done the hour fast?
Is it receiving the Eucharist the fast, or just the beginning of mass which it relates too?
 
I’ve heard that it’s technically an hour before receiving Eucharist but that it’s also a heart issue - are you just trying to follow the letter of the law rather than the Spirit of the law, kind of thing.

But I’m just recently returned (returning? Haven’t met with a priest yet) and left on misunderstandings of teaching so I’d wait for more answers before taking mine as gospel truth.
 
What @Unique_name said is correct.

The trick is making sure that you have really fasted for an hour. Continually glancing at your watch before the distribution starts should be embarrassing. It’s always better to count the hour from beginning of mass even though that is doing more than the letter of the law so you don’t even have to worry about it.
 
I usually fast 12 hours before receiving the eucharist…so if mass is at 8am I wont eat anything after 8pm the night before. I do however drink water in that time!
 
You can always drink water. Not coffee, not tea, not pop, not anything but water. Of course you can also take needed medications and prescriptions.
 
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Yah that was the thing. I went out for coffee with a friend before I went to mass and I didn’t wrap that up an hour before mass began so I didn’t know how it worked.
 
In the Roman (/Western) Catholic church, it’s 1 hour from the time you receive communion. If the service takes 45 minutes, you’re right that you only need to fast 15 more minutes before your service begins. Water is allowed at any time.

In the Eastern Catholic / Eastern Orthodox tradition, it’s a full fast (no food or water) from Midnight the night before. Also, if you’re married, there are no marital relations the night before.

In both traditions there are dispensations for illness, medicine, young children, etc. Ask your pastor.
 
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I think the important thing is common sense. If I had unintentionally finished my coffee at 59 minutes and 32 seconds, I’m probably still going to receive and not let that be the only obstacle, given that I’m not intentionally and routinely flippant with Church teaching.
 
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I agree, but just don’t understand the word “technically” being used. It makes it sound as if the exact rule is not important.
Kaliaa said:
Continually glancing at your watch before the distribution starts should be embarrassing.
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Occassionally find myself still drinking my coffee too late, I am never embarrassed about glancing at my watch, or even waiting until the very end of communion if needed. Note: not saying this behavior is ok, just because I have done it. Just saying: guilty .
 
It’s not an issue at our church. We get there 20-25 minutes early for prayers and spiritual reading, and there is a good 45 minutes between the procession and the start of communion, so I’m good. The last thing that I “consume” is a couple pieces of gum on the drive into town, so I’ll have a nice, fresh taste in my mouth. It goes into the trash can right after I walk thru the doors.

D
 
In the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, traditionally one fasts from midnight in preparation to receive the Holy Eucharist.

The minimum prescription, however, is no meat for at least 3 hours and no other food or drink for at least one (1) hour before the beginning of the Divine Liturgy.
 
The rule is, one hour before receiving.

It is the rule, there is no technically. It is just the rule.

That means that as long as I am not eating or drinking on the way to Mass, I am fine.

(For Roman Catholics)
 
If I’m within a couple minutes or so I will go to the back of the line. That usually puts me over the hour.
 
I mean no offense, but this was exactly the kind of thinking I was talking about in my comment earlier - why? It’s far too legalistic in my opinion to worry about a minute or two to change your position in the line if your heart is in the right place to start with.
 
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