What is the purpose of the fast before Communion?

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Mavzylor

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It seems arbitrary since the length of the fast has been changed twice. Since the length is only an hour now, and Communion is received about 45 minutes into Mass, it also doesn’t require much. What is supposed to be the significance of the fast?
 
On Holy Thursday, Jesus said to the Apostles, “PREPARE FOR ME AN UPPER ROOM FOR PASSOVER”. The mystical saints saw in this request a spiritual lesson: PREPARE YOUR HEART FOR COMMUNION. The Imitation of Christ, Book 4, I believe, has a brief reflection on this. Fasting is but one way to prepare your own upper room for Jesus to dine with you.
 
If the purpose is just similar to that of other fasts, shouldn’t the fast vary by individual circumstances rather than be set as an hour before Communion? If I eat breakfast at 8AM and go to Mass at 10AM, receiving Communion around 10:45, the hour “fast” is negligible. Does that mean I should just skip breakfast instead to be more meaningful?
 
Mavzylor said:
fast” is negligible. Does that mean I should just skip breakfast
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Back in the day, the fast wasn’t just an hour, but was required from the previous midnight. Usually I hear people say “questions about fasting should be brought up with your spiritual director”, but I say if you’re healthy, and you’ve meditated on why you would want to fast for that long and you still think it’s a good idea, go for it! Just remember: You are not saved by the amount of fasting you do.
 
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I think one of the main causes for confusion on this topic is that it is easy to conflate what we must do with what we could do, with an interest in growing in virtue. In other words, the difference between what we owe God in justice, and what we owe Him in charity.

The 1 hour fast is the bare minimum requirement. We may extend that fast to be longer if we would like, but we are not required to do so.
On the other hand, if we are perfectly able to abstain from food for many more hours before receiving the Eucharist, and we feel the inner prompting of the Holy Spirit to make that sacrifice, we absolutely should make that sacrifice in charity. It helps us to grow in virtue. This is not to say that all people should make that sacrifice, only that you, with the prompting of grace, and with your own circumstances, should.
This is something that each individual needs to discern for themselves (or their children, or those who they spiritually direct).
 
But why is the bare minimum just 1 hour before Communion, especially when I hear everyone equate this to 15 minutes before Mass? I don’t understand why this would be the law, when it seems like it would only ever be broken accidentally. I understand the purpose of fasting, but I don’t understand this specific circumstance. What was in mind when this law was made, and is it even important if it was changed twice already for conveniance?
 
First, I would suggest you use the word “discipline” rather than “law”. It is more specific. 🙂

The answer is that when the discipline was first put in place, it was a fast from midnight of the same day to the time of reception of communion. Definitely a significant fast, especially if one were to go to a Mass late in the day.

Then, the Church decided to be more lax (for what reason I know not why) and reduce the fast to the 3 hours previous to communion.
Then, again, the Church chose to lax again and reduce it to an hour.

I have been of the impression that these reductions of the penance had to do with an attempt to not cause an occasion of sin for Catholics who were not practicing their faith well. I think it was a rather misguided choice, because by lowering the bar lower and lower to fit the “needs” of people, it has led to a lot of people having an idea that religion needs to conform to them, rather than they conforming to religion.
 
Mavzylor said:
But why is the bare minimum just 1 hour before Communion, especially when I hear everyone equate this to 15 minutes before Mass? I don’t understand why this would be the law, when it seems like it would only ever be broken accidentally. I understand the purpose of fasting, but I don’t understand this specific circumstance. What was in mind when this law was made, and is it even important if it was changed twice already for conveniance?
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When the fast was from midnight, most people attended early morning Masses, so they could have breakfast afterwards, or they ate and didn’t receive communion.

When the fast was changed to 3 hours, more people started to attend noon and/or late morning Mass.

The change from 3 hours to 1 hour in order to encourage more people to receive communion. I suppose, what was happening was that more families were starting to attend late morning or noon Masses, and were having breakfast 1 hour or 2 hours before Mass.

Personally, I think the fast should be restored for 3 hours because it would provide cover for those who cannot receive communion due to sin, etc.
 
Well I definitely don’t think it should be restored to serve as a “cover”. To worry about what others think about me when im not receiving is just another sin of pride. I just want a better understanding of a tradition that is hard to see as valid if it is changed whenever it seems too inconvenient. I’ve heard it said that it is just so the Eucharist isn’t in your belly with food, but that is rather silly since we can eat right after with no time constraints for digestion.
 
“Do this in memory of Me” that is what I take time to reflect on when fasting before Holy Communion. To think about what Jesus was going through on that night. I do not think you have to time yourself. The significance is keeping your heart open to those words our Savior spoke… God Bless:🦋🦋🦋
 
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