Unintentionally breaking Eucharistic fast

[musicgal4jesus]

Today I went to Mass with my family. Since I had been gone this morning beforehand, I didn’t have time to eat before the Eucharistic fast, so I decided to finish my breakfast (I wouldn’t have time afterwards, or else I would have waited) and recieve a blessing and Spiritual Communion instead of recieving the Host.

During Mass, I kept that in the back of my mind, up until the Agnus Dei or so. Now, I’m a pretty absent-minded person, I’ll admit it. I’m prone to forgetting things pretty easily, and, you guessed it, my previous plans flew right out of my head.

As soon as I recieved Communion, I suddenly remembered that I hadn’t observed a full hour of the Eucharistic fast, and I immediately felt terrible. Now I’m wondering- I don’t think it’s a mortal sin, since I didn’t do it intentionally (really, I am that absent-minded). Normally I would go to Confession tomorrow, but I’ll be working all afternoon so I won’t have a chance. Should I abstain from Communion on Sunday? Am I being way too scrupulous? Any thoughts are appreciated!

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

You shouldn’t receive communion if you’re in a state of mortal sin. In order to commit a mortal sin it must deal with grave matter, be committed with full knowledge and deliberate consent.

Absent-mindedness doesn’t qualify as “deliberate consent” in my book.

If it would make you feel better you could confess it the next time you go, but I wouldn’t skip communion over it. You could also some kind of penance if it would make you feel better.

 

[Claire_from_DE]

No, there was no sin at all. You don’t have to confess it. This was an accident, you didn’t intend to be disobedient or any disrespect. I know about being absent minded, in the morning I have to stop to think what day of the week it is.