Fasting before Mass

[St_Joseph_Cupertino]

Hey guys!

I have a question here.

We were taught that we had to fast for 1 hour before Mass, but more specifically, 1 hour before receving communion. So, if Mass starts at 8, but we receive the Host half way through, we had to abstain from 7:30.

Now, every morning my wife and I have a cup of coffee before work. I start my long commute, whilst she goes to Mass. Sometimes we are not finished with our Coffee before the "cut off time" - only by a few sips...

Is this okay, to just finish the coffe? Or do we have to abstain from communion of that happened?

Thanks!

Peace in Christ!

 

[Dream]

Yes, you are supposed to fast an hour before Communion. If you only missed the cut-off point by a minute or two, maybe you can try sitting in the back of the Church. That way you'll be recieving Communion a couple minutes after most people.

 

[epiclesis]

I think the only exceptions are medication and water.

DT had a good suggestion.

 

[Adammi]

We have it easy at one hour, I read that it used to be 24 hours!!

 

[geocajun]

You are to abstain from communion if you have not observed the Eucharistic fast which is 1 hour prior to receiving communion.

 

[faerieevaH]

I think the only exceptions are medication and water.

DT had a good suggestion.

I thought there also was an exception for necesary food if medication needs to be taken with food.

 

[Adammi]

I thought there also was an exception for necesary food if medication needs to be taken with food.

I agree.
It shold be worded, except for water and anything regarding medical purposes.

 

[epiclesis]

We have it easy at one hour, I read that it used to be 24 hours!!

I know before Vatican II it was from midnight the night before, or 12 hours.

I thought there also was an exception for necesary food if medication needs to be taken with food.

oh i'm sure that is an exception too

 

[epiclesis]

I agree.
It shold be worded, except for water and anything regarding medical purposes.

it probably is, i'm not quoting what it said.

 

[Adammi]

I know before Vatican II it was from midnight the night before, or 12 hours.

Okay, 12, I didn't remember exactly.

 

[epiclesis]

http://www.ewtn.com/expert/answers/communion_dispositions.htm

 

[St_Joseph_Cupertino]

Thanks guys! That is perfect!

Peace in Christ!

 

[Michael G]

We have it easy at one hour, I read that it used to be 24 hours!!

Prior to Vatican II the fast was midnight until you recieved the Eucharist. The Byzantine Catholics and the Orthodox still practice this fast. Prior to Vatican II there was also no meat on any fridays, not just the one's during lent.

 

[Epiphanygirl]

Prior to Vatican II there was also no meat on any fridays, not just the one's during lent.

Some Catholics still practice this!

 

[Michael G]

Some Catholics still practice this!

As a Catholic I practiced this. As an Orthodox Christian we eat no meat or dairy on Weds or Fri.

 

[Markh]

I think the 12 hour fast is quite reasonable, it adds reverence to the blessed sacrament- there is a problem with lack of reverance at the moment- perhaps if the 12 hours was restored it would be good.

 

[Michael G]

I think the 12 hour fast is quite reasonable, it adds reverence to the blessed sacrament- there is a problem with lack of reverance at the moment- perhaps if the 12 hours was restored it would be good.

Yes, the 12 hour fast is a very good thing because it instills reverence for the Body and Blood of Christ in the faithful.