Question : Recently before mass my sister scolded me for eating. I had just woken up and was really hungry. She told me that we were suppose to fast for one hour before receiving the bread. I’ve never heard of fasting before mass. Is she correct? My mom said that when she was a child they were required to fast but since Vatican Council this was no longer practiced. Please clarify. Thanks

Answer: The first statement I have to make is in regards to your comment on the Bread. When we go to Mass we don’t receive bread we receive Jesus. After the Consecration the Host ( bread) becomes the Body of Christ. Likewise with the wine. This is not a symbolic gesture but literally occurs. This is a belief that Catholics are required to believe and have done so since the beginning of the Church. I cannot get into the specifics of this but you may read further on this matter in the Catechism or Pope John Paul’s Encyclical Ecclesia de Eucharistia. You can find this Encyclical on the Vatican Website; www.vatican.va

Regarding the Second Vatican Council. The tradition of the Catholic Church up until the Second Vatican Council 1965 was that you had to fast at least 3 hours prior to mass. Vatican II did not separate or break with Tradition rather it emphasized the restoration of the Catholic Tradition and how to apply those Traditions with the Modern World. The Vatican Council spoke nothing about changing the practices of Mass or the requirements of receiving Jesus in the Most Holy Eucharist. The fast was changed to 1 hour after the Council to accommodate the modern life style people live.

The Current requirements for receiving Communion are that you have not eaten one hour before mass begins. That you are free from mortal sin. Mortal sin has three requirements; (from the Catechism) 'Mortal Sin is sin whose object is grave matter' (specified by the 10 Commandments) ‘and which is also committed with full knowledge and deliberate consent.’ Examples of Mortal Sins would be intentionally getting drunk, premarital and oral sex, watching pornography, taking drugs. You must be absolved through the Sacrament of Confession to be forgiven of such sins. General Absolution at mass cannot forgive a Mortal Sin.

The last point and most important is that in order to receive the Eucharist you must be in full Communion with the teachings of the Church. If one does not fit these requirements one should abstain from communion. The Body of Christ is one and if you are separated by your own beliefs or sins then you are already cut off of the Body. The Body of Christ was offered up for our Salvation, so we must consider the seriousness of receiving the gift of Our Lord. For further information pick up a copy of the Catechism of the Catholic Church at your local Catholic bookstore. Also visit the Vatican Website to find more writings on the Eucharist from the Popes and Cardinals. It is good to see people questioning what the Church really teaches keep on learning what your faith is all about!