Rachel Evans
There are differing opinions on whether vitamins break the fast required for receiving the Eucharist in the Catholic Church. Some people believe that vitamins are not considered food and therefore do not break the fast, especially if they have zero or negligible calories. Others suggest that gummy vitamins are similar to candy and should be avoided during the fast. The canon law states that one should abstain from all food and drink, except water and medicine, for at least one hour before Holy Communion, and this rule has been relaxed over time. There is no requirement to fast after Communion, but some people may choose to wait for a short period before consuming food or drink.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fasting requirements | Catholics are required to fast from food and drink in preparation for Holy Communion. |
| Timing | The fast is before communion, not before Mass. The fast is for at least one hour before Holy Communion. |
| Exceptions | Water and medicine are allowed during the fast. |
| Vitamins | There is no clear consensus on whether vitamins break the fast. Some people consider it breaking the fast, while others believe it is allowed since vitamins are not considered food. |
| Recommendations | It is recommended to consult a pastor or confessor for advice and to play it safe by waiting until after Mass to take vitamins. |
| Post-Communion fasting | There is no requirement for fasting after Communion, but some people choose to fast for 15 minutes to an hour as a pious practice. |
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What You'll Learn
Vitamins are not food
Vitamins are organic compounds that contain carbon and are essential to human health. They are either soluble or dissolvable in fat or water. Vitamins are essential nutrients that mainly come from food. Each vitamin performs various roles in the body, and deficiencies of different vitamins can harm health in different ways.
While vitamins are essential nutrients, they are not considered food. Vitamins are not meant to replace the nutritional value and benefits of consuming a well-balanced meal. They are intended to complement a healthy diet and lifestyle by providing additional support for the body's optimal functioning. Vitamins are typically consumed in small amounts and are not meant to provide the body with the same level of sustenance and satisfaction as food.
The Catholic Church's teachings on fasting and communion support this distinction between vitamins and food. According to the 1983 Code of Canon Law, individuals are required to "abstain for at least one hour before Holy Communion from all food and drink, with the sole exception of water and medicine." While the law does not specifically mention vitamins, they are generally not considered to break the fast. This is because vitamins are not seen as "proper food" and do not provide the same nourishment as food.
Additionally, the purpose of fasting is to pay "due honour to our Divine Redeemer" and to foster piety and holiness. The physical act of abstaining from food allows the mind to be more easily lifted up in meditation and spiritual reflection. Vitamins, in contrast, are not consumed for sustenance or as a meal replacement but rather as a supplement to support health and address specific nutritional needs.
In conclusion, while vitamins are essential nutrients that contribute to overall health and well-being, they are not considered food in the traditional sense. Vitamins have a distinct purpose and function, and their consumption is separate from the act of eating a meal. In the context of Catholic communion, vitamins are not considered to break the fast, further emphasizing the distinction between vitamins and food.
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Gummy vitamins are candy
Gummy vitamins are a relatively new phenomenon, but they have become extremely popular, especially among children. They are modelled on gummy candies and are virtually indistinguishable from the treats they’re based on. They come in various shapes, colours, and flavours, such as worms, frogs, and snakes, just like their candy counterparts.
Gummy vitamins are designed to be appealing, and this is also what makes them concerning. They are formulated to taste as good as candy, and they often contain just as much sugar. The earliest gummy supplements were essentially candy with vitamins sprayed on, and even now, the nutritional content of gummy vitamins is minimal. They are majority gummy, with very little vitamin content, and the vitamins they do contain are available in much higher quantities in whole foods.
The high sugar content of gummy vitamins can be detrimental to health, especially for children. Dentists have reported that children who start eating gummy vitamins often develop cavities within a few months to a year. Gummy vitamins can also be a concern for overdose, especially as they are often not stored securely away from children.
However, gummy vitamins do contain essential vitamins and minerals, and their nutritional value is not diminished by their taste and texture. The body absorbs the nutrients from gummy vitamins in the same way as from traditional vitamins, and the essential nutrients are just as bioavailable and potent. Gummy vitamins can be a good option for those who find it challenging to ingest traditional vitamins due to their taste or form.
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Medicine and water don't break fast
Catholics are required to fast from food and drink in preparation for Holy Communion. The 1983 Code of Canon Law, no. 919, states that whoever is to receive the Holy Eucharist must abstain from all food and drink, except for water and medicine, for at least one hour before Holy Communion. This means that one may drink plain water or take medicine within the one-hour fasting period.
The canon law stipulates "at least one hour," which encourages fasting for longer than one hour to prepare for Holy Communion. The one-hour fast is a modern concession, as historically the fast was much longer. In 1953, Pope Pius XII reminded Catholics that fasting in preparation for Communion pays "due honor to our Divine Redeemer, it fosters piety." He also pointed out that when the body is not weighed down by food, the mind is more easily lifted up to meditate on spiritual matters.
Over time, the length of the fast has been reduced. In 1957, Pope Pius XII reduced the fast to three hours. In 1964, Pope Paul VI further reduced the fast to the current discipline of one hour. The new canon law also asserts that the elderly, the infirm, and those who care for them are exempt from the Eucharistic fast and can receive the Holy Eucharist even if they have eaten within the preceding hour.
It is important to note that the definition of "medicine" may be subject to interpretation. While some sources state that medicine does not break the fast, others suggest that medicinal substances are not necessarily the same as medicine. It is recommended to consult with a pastor, priest, or other trustworthy counselor for personalized advice on this matter.
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Fasting before Mass
The current norm regarding fasting before communion is Canon No. 919, which states that "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 canon law uses the word "abstain" rather than "fast", but the meaning is the same. The one-hour fast is from all edible food and drink other than water, taken by mouth and swallowed. Chewing gum does not break the fast, but swallowing the juices and flavours released by the chewing process would.
It is worth noting that the canon stipulates "at least one hour", which is a way of encouraging Catholics to fast for longer than the minimum requirement. The new canon law also asserts that "the elderly, the infirm, and those who care for them can receive the Most Holy Eucharist even if they have eaten something within the preceding hour". The fasting rule is also mitigated for priests who celebrate multiple Masses on the same day.
While there is no requirement for fasting after Communion, many books have recommended, as an act of reverence, not eating or drinking for 15 minutes after receiving. In some cultures, it is customary to drink a glass of plain water before taking any nourishment after Communion.
As for vitamins, there is some debate. Some people consider vitamins to break their fast, while others do not. The canon law only mentions food as something that could break a fast, not medicine, so vitamins with zero or negligible calories are likely fine. However, gummy vitamins are basically candy, so these may be considered to break the fast. Ultimately, it is up to the individual to decide, and if in doubt, it may be best to wait until after Mass to take vitamins.
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Canon law on fasting
The law uses the word "abstain" rather than "fast", but the meaning is the same. The canon law encourages Catholics to prepare themselves for Holy Communion by fasting for longer than the required one hour. The one-hour fast is a modern concession, and Catholics are encouraged to go beyond this legal minimum.
The law of fasting allows only one full meal a day and two smaller meals, with the two smaller meals not equalling the quantity of the main meal. Eating between meals is not permitted, but liquids are allowed, including milk and fruit juices. On fast days, fish and all cold-blooded animals may be eaten.
The local bishops have the authority to grant dispensations from these rules within their dioceses. Additionally, the rules for fasting and abstinence are different during the weekdays of Lent. While fasting during Lent is not obligatory under pain of sin, it is strongly recommended.
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Frequently asked questions
Vitamins are not considered food and are therefore not deemed to break your fast. However, gummy vitamins are considered candy and would break your fast.
Catholics are required to fast from food and drink for at least one hour before Holy Communion. The elderly, the infirm, and their caregivers are exempt from this rule.
Coffee is not considered to break your fast, but it is also not considered water. Chewing gum also does not break your fast, but swallowing the juices released by the chewing process does.
There is no requirement for fasting after Communion. However, some books recommend not eating or drinking for 15 minutes after receiving Communion, and some cultures drink a glass of water before taking nourishment.
