Sarah Mitchell
The Catholic Church requires its followers to fast from food and drink in preparation for Holy Communion. The discipline of fasting before communion has a long history, with St. Augustine speaking about it as a nearly universal practice in the fifth century. The modern requirement, as stated in the 1983 Code of Canon Law, is to abstain from all food and drink except water and medicine for at least one hour before Holy Communion. However, some Catholics feel that a longer fast of three hours or more would be more respectful and better prepare them for receiving the Body and Blood of Christ.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fasting period | At least one hour before Holy Communion |
| Exceptions | Water, medicine, elderly, infirm, and their caregivers |
| History | Ancient practice in the Catholic Church, mentioned by St. Augustine in the 5th century, and universally practiced in the Middle Ages |
| Purpose | To prepare and show respect for receiving the Body and Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus Christ |
| Canon Law | Canon No. 919, 1983 Code of Canon Law |
| Variation | Eastern Catholics and some Latin Catholics may fast longer or observe the pre-1955 discipline of fasting from midnight |
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What You'll Learn
The history of fasting before communion
The practice of fasting before communion has a long history in the Catholic Church. While there is evidence that during the first centuries of the Church, an agape meal preceded the Eucharist, by the fifth century, St. Augustine noted that fasting before communion was a nearly universal practice.
In the fourth century, fasting was prescribed by many Councils for those celebrating the Eucharistic Sacrifice. The Council of Hippo in 393 and the Third Council of Carthage in 397 issued decrees stating that the "Sacrament of the altar shall be offered only by those who are fasting." By the fifth century, St. Augustine affirmed that the Holy Eucharist was always received by people who were fasting and that this custom was observed throughout the world.
The discipline of fasting before communion continued to evolve over the centuries. In 1917, the Code of Canon Law mandated a Eucharistic Fast from midnight until the reception of Holy Communion, requiring abstention from both food and liquids, including water. This law applied to those aged 21 to 60.
In 1953, Pope Pius XII changed the Eucharistic fast from midnight to 3 hours, and in 1957, he further reduced it to 1 hour. This change was made to accommodate the increasing number of evening Masses and the challenges posed by the pace of modern life, including night shifts in factories and offices. The current norm, promulgated by Pope Paul VI in 1964, requires a fast of at least one hour before receiving the Holy Eucharist, with exceptions made for water and medicine. This discipline is now enshrined in Canon No. 919 of the 1983 Code of Canon Law.
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The length of the fast
The Catholic Church has a long history of fasting before receiving the Eucharist. While there was no fast before Communion during the Church's first centuries, by the fifth century, St. Augustine noted that fasting before Communion was a nearly universal practice. In the Middle Ages, the fast began at midnight before early morning Masses.
The current norm regarding fasting before communion is Canon No. 919, which 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."
This means that Catholics are required to fast from food and drink, except water and medicine, for at least one hour before receiving the Holy Eucharist. This rule is mitigated for priests who celebrate multiple Masses on the same day, as well as for the elderly, the infirm, and those who care for them.
Some commentators have suggested that a longer fast, such as three hours, would be more appropriate and help Catholics take more seriously the act of receiving the Body of Christ. However, others have noted that the one-hour fast is already challenging for some, especially the elderly and the infirm.
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What can be consumed during the fast
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 means that during the fast, Catholics can consume water and medicine. Chewing gum does not break the fast, but swallowing the juices and flavors released by the chewing process would.
The discipline of fasting before communion has a long history, and the rules have changed over the centuries. In 1953, Pope Pius XII stated that "from the very earliest time, the custom was observed of administering the Eucharist to the faithful who were fasting". By the fifth century, St. Augustine spoke about fasting as a nearly universal practice, and in the Middle Ages, a fast was universally practiced. In 1917, the Code of Canon Law stated that the fast began at midnight, and in 1957, Pope Pius XII changed the law to require only a three-hour fast. The current rules were introduced by Pope Paul VI on November 21, 1964, reducing the fast to one hour.
It is worth noting that the canon stipulates "at least one hour", which is meant to encourage Catholics to go beyond the legal limit and prepare themselves for Holy Communion by fasting for a longer period. The elderly, the infirm, and those who care for them are also exempt from the fasting rule and can receive the Holy Eucharist even if they have eaten within the preceding hour.
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Who is exempt from the fast
Over the years, the rules on fasting before receiving Holy Communion have changed. The current norm, as per Canon No. 919, is that one must abstain from all food and drink—except water and medicine—for at least one hour before Holy Communion. This is a reduction from the previous requirement of a three-hour fast, which was changed by Pope Pius XII in 1957. Before that, in the Middle Ages, the fast began at midnight.
The one-hour fast applies to priests as well, but those who celebrate Mass two or three times a day may eat or drink something before the second or third celebration, even if an hour has not passed since their last meal.
While the law does not explicitly mention it, the medicine referred to in Canon No. 919 does not need to be a prescription; over-the-counter medications like aspirin and cough syrup are also allowed. Similarly, a sick person being fed by a tube does not violate the fast.
The elderly and infirm are exempt from the fast, as it may be difficult for them to go without food or water for an extended period.
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The First Communion
The Catholic Church has specific guidelines for those preparing to receive the Lord's body and blood in Holy Communion for the first time. Firstly, it is important to be in a state of grace. This means that one must have examined themselves and be free of mortal sin, which includes murder, abortion, sexual sins, and impure thoughts, among others. A person conscious of a grave sin must make a sacramental confession before receiving Holy Communion. This requirement can be dispensed only if the following four conditions are met:
- There is a grave reason to receive Communion, such as danger of death.
- It is physically or morally impossible to go to confession first.
- The person must be in a state of grace through perfect contrition.
- They must resolve to go to confession as soon as possible.
Secondly, the Eucharist must be received with sanctifying grace in one's soul. According to 1 Corinthians 11:27-28, "Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of profaning the body and blood of the Lord."
Thirdly, one must observe the Eucharistic fast. Canon Law states that one must abstain from all food and drink, except water and medicine, for at least one hour before receiving Holy Communion. This is a modern concession, as the 1917 Code of Canon Law mandated a Eucharistic fast from midnight until the reception of Holy Communion. Some believe that a longer fast, such as three hours, would help emphasize the seriousness of partaking in the Body of Christ.
Finally, the timing of First Communion varies. In the past, First Communion was administered after an individual had completed catechism classes and been confirmed. Now, following the Roman Catholic tradition, it is often given before Confirmation. In Lutheran churches, the average age of first communion is between seven and ten years old, while in North America, the timing is usually determined by the parents in consultation with the local pastor.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, it is required that Catholics fast from food and drink in preparation for Holy Communion. This is known as Eucharistic fasting.
Canon No. 919 states that whoever is to receive the Holy Eucharist must abstain from all food and drink, except water and medicine, for at least one hour before Holy Communion.
No, the priest also follows the norm for the laity, fasting only one hour before communion. However, if a priest celebrates the Holy Eucharist two or three times a day, they may eat something before the second or third celebration.
