Bringing you the "Good News" of Jesus Christ and His Church While PROMOTING CATHOLIC Apologetic Support groups loyal to the Holy Father and Church's magisterium
Home About
AskACatholic.com
What's New? Resources The Church Family Life Mass and
Adoration
Ask A Catholic
Knowledge base
AskACatholic Disclaimer
Search the
AskACatholic Database
Donate and
Support our work
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
New Questions
Cool Catholic Videos
About Saints
Disciplines and Practices for distinct Church seasons
Purgatory and Indulgences
About the Holy Mass
back
About Mary
Searching and Confused
Contemplating becoming a Catholic or Coming home
Homosexual and Gender Issues
Life, Dating, and Family
No Salvation Outside the Church
Sacred Scripture
non-Catholic Cults
Justification and Salvation
The Pope and Papacy
The Sacraments
Relationships and Marriage situations
Specific people, organizations and events
Doctrine and Teachings
Specific Practices
Church Internals
Church History

Jon Alfaro wrote:

Hi, guys —

  • In the history of Catholicism, has anyone ever fasted or sacrificed by not receiving the Eucharist?
  • If so, is it anyone notable, and
  • What is the Church's stance on this?

Jon

  { In the history of Catholicism, has anyone ever fasted or sacrificed by not receiving the Eucharist? }

Bob replied:

Dear Jon,

Yes, the practice of fasting from reception of Communion was common; for centuries many people only received once a year or less, hence reception of Communion became part of the Easter Duty. (See the third precept below.)

II. The Precepts Of The Church

2041 The precepts of the Church are set in the context of a moral life bound to and nourished by liturgical life. The obligatory character of these positive laws decreed by the pastoral authorities is meant to guarantee to the faithful the very necessary minimum in the spirit of prayer and moral effort, in the growth in love of God and neighbor:

2042 The first precept (You shall attend Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation and rest from servile labor) requires the faithful to sanctify the day commemorating the Resurrection of the Lord as well as the principal liturgical feasts honoring the mysteries of the Lord, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the saints; in the first place, by participating in the Eucharistic celebration, in which the Christian community is gathered, and by resting from those works and activities which could impede such a sanctification of these days. (cf. Code of Canon Law, canons 1246-1248; Corpus Canonum Ecclesiarum Orientalium, canons 881 § 1, § 2, § 4)

The second precept (You shall confess your sins at least once a year) ensures preparation for the Eucharist by the reception of the sacrament of reconciliation, which continues Baptism's work of conversion and forgiveness. (cf. Code of Canon Law, canon 989; Corpus Canonum Ecclesiarum Orientalium, canon 719)

The third precept (You shall receive the sacrament of the Eucharist at least during the Easter season) guarantees as a minimum the reception of the Lord's Body and Blood in connection with the Paschal feasts, the origin and center of the Christian liturgy. (cf. Code of Canon Law, canon 920; Corpus Canonum Ecclesiarum Orientalium, canons 708; 881 § 3)

2043 The fourth precept (You shall observe the days of fasting and abstinence established by the Church) ensures the times of ascesis and penance which prepare us for the liturgical feasts and help us acquire mastery over our instincts and freedom of heart. (cf. Code of Canon Law, canons 1249-1251; Corpus Canonum Ecclesiarum Orientalium, canon 882)

The fifth precept (You shall help to provide for the needs of the Church) means that the faithful are obliged to assist with the material needs of the Church, each according to his own ability. (cf. Code of Canon Law, canon 222; Corpus Canonum Ecclesiarum Orientalium canon 25; Furthermore, episcopal conferences can establish other ecclesiastical precepts for their own territories (cf. Code of Canon Law, canon 455))

The faithful also have the duty of providing for the material needs of the Church, each according to his own abilities. (cf. Code of Canon Law, canon 222)

The idea was that they were not worthy to receive, and so rather than incur sin or treat the Eucharist profanely, fasting took place. Some may have desired to receive more often but likely the sacrifice of foregoing reception was considered more appropriate.

Today you could make the argument that it's been going the other way: people take receiving Communion too lightly and rarely do any introspection or examination of conscience to determine the appropriateness of receiving the Blessed Sacrament.

A happy medium is always best:

  • careful self examination
  • refraining, if necessary
  • but grateful reception whenever possible.

Peace,

Bob Kirby

Please report any and all typos or grammatical errors.
Suggestions for this web page and the web site can be sent to Mike Humphrey
© 2012 Panoramic Sites
The Early Church Fathers Church Fathers on the Primacy of Peter. The Early Church Fathers on the Catholic Church and the term Catholic. The Early Church Fathers on the importance of the Roman Catholic Church centered in Rome.