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You are supposed to fast for one hour prior to communion. Most Catholics are unaware of that requirement, so it is not often practiced. Also, since Communion is late in the mass, as long as you weren't eating or Chewing Gum in church, you probably accomplish that just by being there.
Roman Catholic AnswerBy not eating or drinking (save water) for one hour prior to Holy Communion. This is much mitigated. Before it used to be three hours, and before that it was a total fast (even water) from midnight until one received Holy Communion. There is an exception for the sick being giving Holy Communion outside of Mass, in this case, the fast is only fifteen minutes. The fast is to show respect for receiving the Body and Blood of Christ. You should not receive during that Mass if you haven't fasted for at least one hour, but make a spiritual Communion.As a sacrifice and to maintain the sacredness of the sacrament, fasting means no food or drink one hour before receiving communion. Water is OK.
It used to be fast after midnight on the Sunday you receive communion, but that was changed over 40 years ago to the current practice
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoTo prepare your body, as a "temple" for the reception of the Real Body of Christ into it.
Roman Catholic AnswerThe fast before Holy Communion is one hour from all food or drink (except water and medication) for a period of at least one hour before Holy Communion. Code of Canon Law, Can. 919 section 3: Those who are advanced in age or who suffer from any infirmity, as well as those who take care of them, can receive the Most Holy Eucharist even if they have taken something during the previous hour.As noted above in the Code of Canon Law, the Communion fast is a disciplinary measure to show respect for Our Blessed Lord, from the Catechism of the Catholic Church:
1387 To prepare for worthy reception of this sacrament, the faithful should observe the fast required in their Church. Bodily demeanor (gestures, clothing) ought to convey the respect, solemnity, and joy of this moment when Christ becomes our guest.
Wiki User
∙ 10y agoYou may be fasting for at least one hour prior to receiving Holy Communion, unless you are sick at home or in the hospital. Under those conditions, the fast is reduced to fifteen minutes. There is no fast required for Viaticum.
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoWiki User
∙ 7y agoYou should fast for one hour before receiving Communion, though you can drink water in that time.
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Can you eat before holy mass?
.Catholic AnswerThere is no rule about drinking and eating before Mass, EXCEPT if you want to receive Holy Communion. There is a rule that you must be fasting from all food and liquids (save water) for sixty minutes before receiving Holy Communion, unless you are sick at home, or in the hospital and a minister brings you Holy Communion, then the rule is 15 minutes.
What are three conditions for receiving holy communion worthily?
You must fast an hour before you receive communion and you must be in the state of grace! GOD BLESS. FRIENDSOFTONY.ORG
When is it not okay to take communion?
It is not okay for someone to receive Holy Communion in a Catholic Church if he or she:1) is not Catholic2) is excommunicated3) is not in union with the Catholic Church and everything she teaches4) is not in the state of grace5) has not observed the proper fast before the reception of Holy Communion.If any one or more of these factors is present that person must not receive Holy Communion.
What you must do before going to Holy Communion?
Be in a state of Grace and fast
Do you fast on Holy Thursday?
On Holy Thursday you do not have to fast on Good Friday however you do.
What is meant by the phrase The Eucharistic Fast?
the Eucharistic Fast is the fast from food and drink which is to be observed before receiving Communion.
If you fast for the 3 days before Easter Thursday Friday and Saturday can you still take communion on Friday?
yes NO::: a fast means you eat no food...this includes communion waffers, crackers or bread which ever the church uses for communion.
What happens if you want to go to a Holy Communion but are unable to on account of illnesses?
If the illness is prolonged most parishes will have a home bound ministry where a priest, deacon, or Eucharistic minister will visit will communion. Call the parish office to request a visit if illness is prolonged.Another answer:It depends on the illness. If you cannot take Holy Communion due to an intolerance for lactose, you may receive from the cup. However if you have an intolerance for alcohol or otherwise cannot take wine then you would not be able to receive holy communion.If however your illness is such that you simply cannot get to Church, the parish can arrange home communion for you.Roman Catholic AnswerBoth of the above answers are good, addressing different issues. The primary thing to remember is that one may always make a spiritual communion. There was more emphasis on spiritual communion back before Pope Saint Pius X, who lowered the communion age to the age of reason, and was a great advocate of frequent communion. Before then, for many centuries, many people refrained from Holy Communion on a regular basis to the point where the Church had to insist that one must receive Holy Communion at least once a year. But, even today, when there are so many unworthy communions, and we must remember what St. Paul tells us that many people were sick and dying on account of unworthy communions, so that if you are not in a state of grace (if you have committed mortal sin, and not been to Confession) OR if you have broken the required fast from all food and beverage for one hour before Holy Communion, you can always make a Spiritual Communion: From The Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2nd edition:# 1415 Anyone who desires to receive Christ in Eucharistic communion must be in a state of grace. Anyone aware of having sinned mortally must not receive communion without having received absolution in the sacrament of penance.# 1417 The Church warmly recommends that the faithful receive Holy Communion when they participate in the celebration of the Eucharist; she obliges them to do so at least once a year.From A Catholic Dictionary, edited by Donald Attwater, second edition, revised:Spiritual Communion. An earnest desire, especially during Mass, to receive the Blessed Sacrament when one is not able actually to do so; this desire is translated into the appropriate acts of love, thanksgiving, etc.From Enchiridion of Indulgences, Norms and Grants, translated by William T. Barry, C.SS.R. issued by the Sacred Apostolic Penitentiary, 1968#16 An act of spiritual Communion, according to any pious formula, is enriched with a partial indulgence:An Act of Spiritual CommunionMy Jesus, I believe that you are in the Blessed Sacrament. I love you above all things, and I long for you in my soul. Since I cannot now receive you sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. As though you have already come, I embrace you and unite myself entirely to you; never permit me to be separated from you. [Amen]
What are the rules to receive communion?
To receive Holy Communion, a Catholic must be in the state of grace, that is, have no unconfessed mortal sins on their conscience and be a practicing Catholic. Divorce is not sanctioned by the Church and it is a mortal sin to seek to secure one. However, there are always circumstances to our actions. Unless you receive an annulment, you are still married. Here are some circumstances which would encourage you to continue to go to Communion: * If you sought the divorce but have since repented in confession and have been given absolution. * If you were dragged into the divorce by a spouse who wanted it than your signing is a mere formality. You are guiltless. * if you have confessed and have been absolved but are feeling guilt or unsure, or you begin to doubt your role in the divorce - stop! These are scruples and should be ignored. Go to Communion freely and with confidence. Here are some circumstances where it would no be right to go to Communion (i.e. by going you would be committing a sacrilege)" * If you are divorced, you are still married in the eyes of the Church. You can therefore not date or have another relationship. If you are, it would not be right to go to Communion. * If you secured the divorce and have not confessed it, or do not believe you have to, it would not be right to go to communion. If your specific circumstances are not addressed in the above, then speak with your parish priest and be open and honest that he may guide you. Communion should never be passed by unless you are sure that you are in mortal sin.
What is the eucharistic fast?
Canon law (of the Roman Catholic Church) states, "One who is to receive the most Holy Eucharist is to abstain from any food or drink, with the exception only of water and medicine, for at least the period of one hour before Holy Communion" (CIC 919 §1). Elderly people, those who are ill, and their caretakers are excused from the Eucharistic fast (CIC 191 §3). Priests and deacons may not dispense one obligated by the Eucharistic fast unless the bishop has expressly granted such power to them (cf. CIC 89).
How long should you abstain before holy communion?
Catholics are supposed to fast on Ash Wednesday (i.e. the first day of lent) and Good Friday (the day when Jesus Christ died on the Cross)Normally people skip their breakfast and lunch. This rule is application for people between the age 18 - 60 years.
Why is St. Pius X called the pope of frequent communion?
He changed the order of the Sacraments of Initiation from Baptism-Confirmation-Eucharist to allow people to receive communion before they were confirmed (which then was usually about age 14-16). He allowed communion to be received as young as 7.Catholic AnswerPope St. Pius X, of happy memory, attempted to undo the Jansenist influence in which people were barely ever receiving Holy Communion. One of the problems, with which he did not deal was the Communion fast was from midnight the night before, this was a problem for many people, especially those who could only attend a later Mass in the morning. It wasn't until the reign of Pius XII that the communion fast was lowered to three hours. But St. Pius certainly did more than any other pope in centuries (up until that time) to overcome the scrupulosity of many to return them to Holy Communion. Now, of course, we have the opposite problem, everyone going to Holy Communion, and few going to Confession. And yet, to receive Holy Communion in a state of sin is a grave sacrilege. from Modern Catholic Dictionary by John A. Hardon, S.J. Doubleday & Co., Inc. Garden City, NY 1980Frequent Communion. The practice, dating from the first centuries of the Church, of receiving Holy Communion often, as a means of growing in union with God. Weekly reception was customary already in apostolic times. From the end of the second century many priests and laity received every day. By the thirteenth century the practice has so declined that the Fourth Lateran Council had to legislate at least annual Communion at Easter time. In the sixteenth century the Council of Trent urged the reception of Holy Communion at every Mass attended. During the centuries of Jansenist influence, Communion became rare, until 1905 when St. Pius X decreed that "Frequent and daily Communion, as a thing most earnestly desired by Christ our Lord and by the Catholic Church should be open to all the faithful" (Denzinger 3375-83). The only conditions required were the state of grace and the right intention.
