Sacrament of the Eucharist

Sacrament of the Eucharist
Image: DSJ Vocations.

“Jesus said to them, ‘Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you’” (Jn 6:53).

What is the correlation between this sacrament and a traditional meal?

When we think of a meal, we immediately think of food and drink, and someone to share them with over pleasant conversation. If the conversation is good, the sharing can become the focus of the whole meal as we enter into one another’s lives. But good food and drink play an important supportive role.

The Eucharist is a meal with the very same elements, but in a more stylized form. We come together to share bread and wine and to enter into conversation with the Lord as he speaks to us through the Scriptures, symbols, gestures, and prayer. The major difference, however, is that the food and drink become the Body and Blood of Jesus and the focal point of the meal. This is due, in part, because the Eucharist is a sacrifice as well as a meal in which the death and resurrection of Jesus is offered to the Father.


How long must I fast before receiving the sacrament?

The general norm for Roman Catholics who plan to receive Holy Communion is to abstain for at least one hour from all food and drink, except water. (cf. CIC, can. 919). Canon Law immediately make two exceptions. One is for priests who celebrate more than one Mass on the same day. They are to observe the fast before the first Mass. The other exception is for the elderly, infirm, and those who care for them. They can receive at any time even if they have eaten within the previous hour.


Do I have to confess my sins prior to receiving the Eucharist?

Only one who is conscious of having committed mortal sin is required to submit to the Sacrament of Reconciliation. (cf. CIC, can. 1457). Thus, reception of absolution in the Sacrament of Reconciliation is not necessary before receiving Holy Communion.

We might make two caveats concerning this matter. Mortal sin is rare since it is a conscious decision to break away from God and the Church through a serious act, adequate appreciation of the seriousness of the act, and a significant degree of freedom in order to be able to say that one freely chose to do it. Seldom do we enjoy that degree of freedom and level of appreciation.

The second caveat is the fact that we are always free and encouraged to celebrate the Lord’s love and mercy in the Sacrament of Reconciliation at any time. We certainly don’t need to wait until we have sinned seriously to celebrate the sacrament.


How is the Eucharist a Sacrament of Initiation?

Just as people have to eat and drink in order to survive in good health, so our spiritual life needs to be continuously nourished in order to survive. The life begun at baptism and strengthened in confirmation is nourished and fed by the Eucharist. Thus, our initiation into God’s life is an ongoing process as we continue to grow in that life.

Do you have a question for Fr. Don? Email him at: Letters@FranciscanMedia.org

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Canonical link: Sacrament of the Eucharist