1 Hour Fast

Dear family of the Most Holy Trinity Church,

The Roman Catholic Church invites all of us to practice Eucharistic fasting. “The discipline of fasting before Communion has a long history, as Pope Pius XII states in his 1953 apostolic constitution, ‘Christus Dominus’: ‘From the very earliest time the custom was observed of administering the Eucharist to the faithful who were fasting. Toward the end of the fourth century fasting was prescribed by many Councils for those who were going to celebrate the Eucharistic Sacrifice. So it was that the Council of Hippo in the year 393 issued this decree: ‘The Sacrament of the altar shall be offered only by those who are fasting.’ Shortly afterward, in the year 397, the Third Council of Carthage issued this same command, using the very same words. At the beginning of the fifth century this custom can be called quite common and immemorial. Hence, St. Augustine affirms that the Holy Eucharist is always received by people who are fasting and likewise that this custom is observed throughout the entire world… Abstinence from food and drink is in accord with that supreme reverence we owe to the supreme majesty of Jesus Christ when we are going to receive Him hidden under the veils of the Eucharist… Pope Paul VI brought in the present discipline in November 1964” (ewtn).

The Eucharistic Fasting does not refer to fast of receiving Holy Communion, but not to eat anything before the Mass. The Eucharistic fasting refers to the practice of abstaining from food and drink for at least one hour before receiving Holy Communion. Canon Law number 919 says, “A person who is to receive the Most Holy Eucharist is to abstain for at least one hour before Holy Communion from any food and drink, except for only water and medicine.” That means that we should be fasting before receiving the Holy Communion. Please, pay attention to the fact that this canon allows people to drink water and medicine if the person needs to take them. In addition, I want to remind you that if you are sick, 5 years old or younger, 60 years old or older, hospitalized/homebound, or pregnant, you are not obligated to practice the Eucharistic fasting. It is important to know if you need to take medicine or you need to eat something before the Mass, please do it. Holy Trinity Church and I, as your pastor, are very concerned for your health and safety.

Remember, Eucharistic fasting is for at least one hour before to receive the Holy Communion, not one hour before to celebrate the Mass. If you come, for instance, to 8:30 a.m. Mass on Sunday, and you usually receive the Holy Communion about 9:15 a.m., you should not eat anything after 8:15 a.m. I know that many of you are in the Church earlier, so you are observing the Eucharistic fast.

Hopefully, all of us can practice the Eucharistic fasting with love, recognizing the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is present in the Holy Communion.

Remember, The parish that we dream is the parish that I help to build!
Holy Trinity Church… 165 years evangelizing!

God bless you and may the Blessed Virgin Mary be with you always!

Fr. Jorge Ramírez