The faithful, before Holy Communion must abstain for three hours from solid foods and alcoholic liquids, for one hour from non- alcoholic liquids. Water does not break the fast.
Eucharistic Fast
The Eucharistic fast laws have been simplified by His Holiness Pope Pius XII in a decree, Sacram Communionem, March 19, 1957: Priests and faithful, before Holy Mass or Holy Communion respectively, must abstain for three hours from solid foods and alcoholic liquids, for one hour from non- alcoholic liquids. Water does not break the fast. This provision holds no matter what hour Mass is said.
In an instruction accompanying this decree the comment is made: According to the august intention of the Holy Father, the laws governing the Eucharistic Fast, adapted to the demands of the times, are now made simple and understandable even to the mentality of children.
With the restoration of the Mass, We hold this decree to be in full force on the matter of the Eucharistic fast. We would like to remind all of the desire of Pope Pius XII, which is also Our own desire: We strongly exhort priests and faithful who are able to do so to observe the old and venerable form of the Eucharistic fast before Mass and Holy Communion. All those who will make use of these concessions must compensate for the good received by becoming shining examples of a Christian life and principally with works of penance and charity.
The old fast law required complete abstinence from food or drink from midnight. Saint Augustine says: It has pleased the Holy Ghost that out of honor for this great sacrament, the Lord’s Body should enter the mouth of a Christian before other foods. Saint Thomas Aquinas reminds us to Seek first the kingdom of God. (Matthew 6:33) Under the previous law, a person fasted from food, drink and water from midnight until Holy Communion. Mass was normally celebrated in the morning, although on Christmas the first Mass is said at midnight.
In 1953 because many found it difficult to assist at Mass during the week, the fast law was changed in part to allow for the celebration of Mass in the evening on certain occasions. The Bishops petitioned for a simplification, which Pope Pius XII granted in the decree above.
We recommend those who are able to abstain from food and drink with the exception of water from midnight prior to a morning Mass. In the case of an evening Mass, observe the three hours as stated above, and eat simply sufficient to maintain strength, as advised in the current fasting regulations.
Pope Michael
July 31, 2006
Michael Fighting
