Receiving communion is an important part of Catholic Mass and a way for Catholics to renew their commitment and relationship with God. However, there are certain rules around receiving communion, including the requirement to fast for at least 1 hour before receiving. This raises the question – is it a sin to receive communion without properly fasting beforehand?
What is the fasting requirement for communion?
According to the Code of Canon Law, those who are to receive the Eucharist must abstain from any food or drink, with the exception of water and medicine, for at least the period of one hour before Holy Communion (Canon 919 §1). This is the minimum requirement set by the Church.
The purpose of this fast is to help the faithful prepare to receive Christ worthily and properly, as St. Paul advises in his First Letter to the Corinthians: “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” (1 Cor 11:27). The fast is meant to give time for prayer and reflection before Mass.
When did the rule originate?
The practice of fasting before receiving communion dates back to the early Church. In the first few centuries AD, the Eucharist was often received as part of a ritual meal or “agape feast.” Over time, the practice developed of separating the Eucharistic celebration from the meal.
By the Middle Ages, a requirement to fast from midnight before receiving communion was in place. This midnight fast was defined as giving up both food and water from midnight until Mass. Over the centuries, the rules were relaxed, first allowing water, then reducing the fast to three hours, and eventually to the current one hour in 1957.
Who is exempt from the fasting rule?
While the one hour fast is mandatory for most Catholics before receiving communion, there are some exceptions. According to Canon Law, the following groups are exempt from the Eucharistic fast (Canon 919 §3):
- The elderly
- The infirm
- Those who care for them
Those who are ill, elderly, or caring for someone who is ill or elderly do not have to fast for 1 hour before Mass. The Church recognizes that fasting could be harmful or challenging for such people.
What about priests celebrating multiple Masses?
Priests who celebrate more than 1 Mass in a day may consume the Eucharist at each one, even if there is not a full hour between them. However, water and medicine are still permitted outside of Mass times.
Canon 919 §2 states: “A priest who celebrates the Eucharist two or three times on the same day may take something before the second or third celebration even if the period of one hour does not intervene.” This concession allows priests with multiple Masses to fulfill their duties despite the short intervals.
When does the fast begin?
The fast should begin 1 hour before the start of Mass or the communion service. For example, if Mass is at 9am, the fast should start at 8am. Only water and medicine are permitted during the fast. Food, juice, coffee, and anything besides water/medicine breaks the fast.
The fast is from the last food/drink consumed, not the end of the meal. For example, if you finish breakfast at 7:45am before a 9am Mass, the fast begins at 7:45am, not when you finished eating earlier.
Does medicine break the fast?
No, taking medication does not break the Eucharistic fast. The Church makes a specific exemption for medicine before Mass. Necessary medications, prescriptions, supplements, etc. are allowed.
What about gum, mints, lip balm?
Although gum, mints, lip balm, and similar products do not provide nutrition, they are still considered breaking the fast. The fast requires abstaining from all food and drink except water and medicine. Anything else consumed by mouth breaks the fast, even if it has no caloric or nutritional value.
Do health conditions provide an exemption?
Those with a medical condition requiring food or drink may be exempt from the fast. However, this exemption should be discussed with a priest. Some examples include:
- Diabetes requiring juice or snacks
- Chronic conditions with nausea that are helped by light snacks
- Need to take medication with food or drink
If your health could be endangered by fasting or you have a chronic condition eased by light snacking, consult a priest about receiving an exemption. Do not make the decision yourself.
What about caregivers?
Caregivers who are responsible for someone who is ill or elderly are exempt from the fast. If you care for someone who needs assistance eating, taking medication, etc. around Mass time, you do not need to fast.
However, this exemption only applies if you need to actually provide care or assistance that conflicts with fasting. It does not apply to simply being a caregiver in general.
Are young children required to fast?
Children who have not yet reached the age of reason, around 7 years old, are not required to follow the Communion fast. However, parents are encouraged to begin teaching school-age children the practice of fasting so they are accustomed to it by the time it becomes binding upon them.
Can you drink coffee before Mass?
Drinking coffee, tea, juice, milk, soda, or anything besides water breaks the Eucharistic fast. Only water and medicine are permitted in the 1 hour before receiving communion. So coffee, even with no food, still violates the fast.
If you wish to drink coffee before Mass, make sure to finish it an hour before Mass begins to properly observe the fast.
Is the fast 1 hour before Mass starts or 1 hour before you receive communion?
The Eucharistic fast is for 1 hour before the start of Mass, not specifically 1 hour before you personally receive communion. Even if you arrive late to Mass, you are still required to fast for 1 hour beforehand.
For example, if Mass begins at 9am, you must fast from 8am onward, even if you do not actually receive the Eucharist until 9:30am because you arrived late.
Can you drink water up until receiving communion?
Yes, water is allowed during the 1 hour Eucharistic fast leading up to Mass. You can drink water up until it is time to receive communion. Only solid food and other beverages are forbidden during the fast.
Drinking water just before going up to receive communion will not violate the fast, since water is an exception alongside medicine that is always permitted.
Does toothpaste break the fast?
Yes, using toothpaste does break the fast because you ingest it by mouth. Toothpaste contains flavors and chemicals that are considered breaking the fast, even in small amounts.
Try to use toothpaste and brush your teeth before beginning the 1 hour fast. If you must brush your teeth closer to Mass time, try rinsing very thoroughly after to remove any toothpaste residue.
What about accidentally ingesting something?
Accidentally consuming something, such as swallowing mouthwash or getting soap in your mouth when washing up, does technically break the fast. However, this does not constitute a grave violation.
If you accidentally ingest something unintentionally, it does not count as seriously violating the fast requirements. You can still receive communion if this occurs.
Does the fast apply for communion outside Mass?
The 1 hour fast is obligatory whether you receive communion during Mass or outside of Mass. For example, communion services or hospital visits still require fasting for 1 hour beforehand.
The only exception would be “Viaticum,” which is communion given to someone who is gravely ill or dying. Viaticum can be given without fasting.
Can you receive communion twice in one day?
Generally, Catholics should only receive communion twice in one day on rare occasions with good reason to do so. This could include weddings, funerals, baptisms, or other special family events.
While technically allowed, receiving communion more than twice in one day is discouraged. Proper preparation and reverence for each reception of the Eucharist should be maintained.
Does the fast apply if you aren’t receiving communion?
If you are attending Mass but not receiving communion, you do not need to observe the 1 hour fast. Since you will not be consuming the Eucharist, there is no need to fast before Mass if not receiving communion.
Keep in mind you are still encouraged to make a spiritual communion and prayerfully unite yourself with the celebration, even if not receiving the sacrament.
What about rare fast-free days like Thanksgiving?
In certain locations, bishops may grant dispensations from the communion fast for special occasions. For instance, in the United States, the fast is sometimes lifted for the celebration of Thanksgiving Day Mass.
On these rare fast-free days that occur infrequently, the faithful can receive communion without observing the 1 hour fast beforehand. Check with your local parish to find out if your diocese allows this exception on certain days.
Is the faithful’s fast obligatory or just recommended?
The 1 hour fast before Mass is defined in Canon Law as obligatory for the faithful who wish to receive Holy Communion. So it is a requirement, not merely a recommendation that can be ignored.
Failing to fast before Mass without a legitimate exemption is considered a grave violation of a Church law with “divine precept.”
Does breaking the fast count as a mortal sin?
Generally, breaking the Eucharistic fast is not considered a mortal sin. For a sin to be mortal, three conditions must all be met: 1) Serious matter, 2) Full knowledge, 3) Deliberate consent.
Falling short on the communion fast is often due to forgetfulness, inconvenience, or lack of knowledge that does not constitute full consent. However, knowingly and deliberately failing to fast could risk becoming a mortal sin.
What are the consequences if you receive communion without fasting?
Aside from sin, violating the fast does not carry direct canonical penalties. However, receiving communion unworthily is spiritually harmful regardless of if the 1 hour fast was observed or not.
That said, knowingly receiving communion without fasting demonstrates significant irreverence. Repeated violations could require meeting with a priest before being allowed to receive communion again.
Does medical marijuana break the fast?
Yes, marijuana used for medical purposes would still break the Eucharistic fast, even if prescribed. The only exceptions are water and necessary medications. Things taken recreationally or to alleviate non-urgent symptoms do not qualify.
However, always check with your priest if you feel medical marijuana or similar prescription substances are required for your health around communion time.
Conclusion
In summary, the 1 hour Communion fast is an important but merciful rule that has developed over centuries in the Church. While never receiving communion unworthily is ideal, the fast should not hinder people from encountering Christ in the Eucharist. If in doubt about special circumstances, discuss your situation with a priest.
When observing the Eucharistic fast, be sure to use the hour for prayerful preparation to receive the sacrament devotedly. This will allow you to enter into deeper communion with our Lord. Through His grace, we are all called to increased charity and devotion.
