Grace Thompson
Catholics are required to fast before receiving Communion, and the rules regarding fasting are set by each church. The current canon law requires a one-hour fast before receiving Communion, with exceptions for the elderly, the infirm, and their caregivers. The rules for fasting before Communion have evolved over time, with previous requirements including fasting from midnight or three hours before Communion. Fasting is seen as a form of bodily mortification that prepares individuals to receive the Eucharist and enhances their spiritual disposition.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fasting Requirements | Catholics are required to abstain from food and drink (except water and medicine) for at least one hour before receiving Communion. |
| History of Fasting Rules | The rules have changed over time. Before 1957, a complete fast after midnight was required. Pope Pius XII reduced it to three hours, and in 1964, Pope Paul VI further reduced it to one hour. |
| Exceptions | The elderly, the infirm, and their caregivers are exempt from the one-hour fast and can receive Communion even if they have eaten within the preceding hour. |
| Purpose of Fasting | Fasting is meant to create a physical and spiritual hunger and thirst for the Lord, preparing individuals to receive Communion. |
| Diocesan Bishop's Role | In unusual situations, the diocesan bishop can waive the fasting requirement if deemed appropriate. |
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What You'll Learn
Current canon law requires a one-hour fast
Current canon law requires Catholics to fast for at least one hour before receiving Communion. This rule, known as Eucharistic Fast, is outlined in Canon 919:
> "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."
This law was established by Pope Paul VI in 1964, reducing the previous requirement of a three-hour fast implemented by Pope Pius XII in 1957. The current rule allows for certain exceptions, such as the elderly, the infirm, and their caregivers, who are not bound by the one-hour restriction. Similarly, priests celebrating multiple masses on the same day are permitted to consume food and drink between services.
The purpose of the Eucharistic Fast is to create a physical hunger and thirst for the Lord, augmenting the spiritual hunger and thirst that believers ought to have. This practice has its roots in the Old Testament, where fasting was often done to prepare for God's presence. For example, Moses fasted for 40 days atop Mount Sinai before receiving the Ten Commandments (Exodus 34:28).
While the current canon law requires only a one-hour fast, some Catholics continue to observe the earlier discipline of fasting from midnight onwards. Additionally, the Congregation of Mary Immaculate Queen (CMRI), a sedevacantist religious group, encourages its members to observe the Eucharistic Fast from midnight until they receive Communion, although it is not obligatory.
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Exceptions to the one-hour rule
The Catholic Church requires a Eucharistic fast of one hour before receiving Communion. This rule applies to both Latin Church and Eastern Catholics. However, there are a few exceptions to this one-hour rule:
- The elderly and the infirm: The elderly, the sick, and those who care for them are exempt from the one-hour fast. They can receive the Holy Eucharist even if they have eaten within the preceding hour. This exception is out of consideration for those who may have medical conditions or take medications that require regular meals or snacks.
- Priests celebrating multiple Masses: A priest who celebrates the Holy Eucharist two or three times on the same day is allowed to eat or drink before the second or third celebration, even if there is less than an hour between them. This exception recognises the physical demands of celebrating multiple Masses and the need for sustenance.
- Water and medicine: While fasting, one is allowed to drink water and take medicine. These are considered essential for health and do not break the fast.
- Local customs and traditions: The length of the fast may vary depending on local customs and traditions. For example, Eastern Orthodox Christians may commence their fast the evening before, after their last meal of the day, or even from vespers or sunset.
- No fasting after Communion: While not an exception to the one-hour rule before Communion, it is worth noting that there is no requirement for fasting after receiving Communion. However, some books and traditions recommend not eating or drinking for about 10 to 15 minutes after Communion as a pious practice.
These exceptions to the one-hour fast rule demonstrate the Catholic Church's consideration for the practical and health needs of its members, as well as the flexibility to accommodate different cultural and local traditions.
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History of fasting rules
The history of fasting rules before communion in the Catholic Church has evolved over the years, with the requirements being modified to make it easier for Catholics to receive Holy Communion.
Midnight Fasting
Historically, the Eucharistic fast required abstinence from food and drink from midnight until the Eucharist was received the following morning. This practice is still observed by some Anglicans today, as outlined in Saint Augustine's Prayer Book.
Three-Hour Fasting
In 1953, Pope Pius XII changed the Eucharistic fast from midnight to three hours before communion. This change was made in the Apostolic constitution, Christus Dominus. Additionally, Pope Pius XII decreed that water and medicine did not break the fast, accommodating those who were ill or had special circumstances.
One-Hour Fasting
In 1957, the fasting requirements were further reduced to one hour before communion. This change was made during the Extraordinary Form of the Mass. Pope Paul VI officially promulgated the one-hour fast as a universal accommodation after the third council session in 1964. This change was affirmed by the Vatican Instruction Immensae caritatis in 1973, which provided additional accommodations for the sick, elderly, and their caregivers.
Current Fasting Rules
The current canon law, codified in 1983, requires a one-hour fast before receiving communion, as outlined in Canon 919. This law allows for the consumption of water and medicine during the fasting period. While these changes have made the rules more lenient, they are still required to be followed by Catholics. The rules regarding fasting may vary among different churches, with some Eastern Orthodox Christians, for example, fasting from all food and drink and abstaining from marital relations in preparation for receiving the Eucharist.
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Reasons for fasting
Fasting before communion is an ancient practice in the Catholic Church. While there is no indication of a fast before communion during the Church's first centuries, by the fifth century, St. Augustine spoke of fasting as a nearly universal practice. Fasting was definitely universally practised in the Middle Ages, and the 1917 Code of Canon Law mandated a Eucharistic fast from midnight until the reception of Holy Communion.
Over the years, the length of the fast has been reduced. Pope Pius XII changed the law in 1957 to require a three-hour fast, and Pope Paul VI further reduced the requirement to one hour in 1964. These changes were intended to encourage Catholics to receive Communion more frequently. The current norm is that one should abstain from food and drink, except for water and medicine, for at least one hour before receiving Communion.
The discipline of fasting before communion has a long history, as Pope Pius XII states in his 1953 apostolic constitution, "Christus Dominus": "From the very earliest time, the custom was observed of administering the Eucharist to the faithful who were prepared even by short fasts to receive it devoutly."
Fasting is a way to prepare oneself spiritually before receiving Holy Communion. As one commentator noted, a longer fast would help us to prepare for the Liturgy of the Word, as we take Christ the Word into our souls. Pope Benedict XVI taught that since Christ gives Himself completely to us, we should give ourselves to Him in a total self-offering.
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Eastern Catholic canon law
The discipline for Eastern Catholics generally requires a longer period of fasting. In the past, the fast was more stringent, requiring abstention from food and liquids, including water, from midnight until the reception of Holy Communion. This rule applied to those aged 21 to 60. Over time, the Church has relaxed the fasting requirements, reducing the fast to three hours before Pope Paul VI further reduced it to one hour in 1964. These changes aimed to encourage Catholics to receive Communion more frequently and accommodate those in different circumstances.
The Church strives to balance approaching Holy Communion with reverence while allowing members to receive Communion in difficult physical circumstances. Diocesan bishops can dispense Canon 919 if they deem it appropriate. While not a requirement, pious practices, such as drinking plain water before taking nourishment after Communion, are expressions of reverence and are encouraged.
While the current law is lenient and easy to follow, many Catholics are unaware of the Eucharistic fast or disregard it altogether. It is important to note that the fast applies to all edible food and drink, and chewing gum is allowed as long as the juices are not swallowed. Additionally, the medicine mentioned in the law includes over-the-counter medications like aspirin and cough syrup.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Catholics are required to fast before communion.
Canon law requires a one-hour fast before receiving Communion. This rule has two exceptions: priests who celebrate more than one Mass on the same day are only bound to the one-hour fast before the first Mass, and the rule does not apply to the elderly, the infirm, and their caregivers.
During the one-hour fast, Catholics must abstain from any food or drink, except water and medicine.
No, the fasting requirement has changed over time. Before 1957, Catholics were required to fast from midnight of the night before communion. In 1957, Pope Pius XII reduced the fast to three hours, and in 1964, Pope Paul VI further reduced the requirement to one hour.
Fasting before communion creates a physical hunger and thirst for the Lord, which augments the spiritual hunger and thirst that Catholics ought to have.
