This is observance of a Church law intended to helps us give greater respect to the Holy Eucharist. Before receiving Holy Communion, a Catholic is obliged to abstain from all food and drink for one hour. Water and medicine, however, do not violate the Eucharistic fast. If a person is sick, he or she is not obligated to observe the Eucharistic fast. Particular questions about the Eucharistic fast are being answered by your parish priest or by the priest who hears your confession.
Reprinted from September 27, 1996
In attending Mass in churches outside the Diocese of Lincoln, I have noticed
that the bread at Mass sometimes seems to be dark and heavy. Is this allowed?
In the Latin rite of the Catholic Church the only ingredients permitted in the altar breads which will be consecrated at Mass are wheat flour and water. The wheat flour may be whole or refined. It is illicit (illegal) to use any other ingredients and it would be seriously sinful for a priest to knowingly permit such an abuse. If more than half the liquid were not water (for instance, eggs, molasses, shortening, etc.) or if more than half the flour were not wheat flour, the Eucharist offered would not only be illicit but also invalid. In other words, it would truly not be a Mass at all. To knowingly worship an invalid Eucharist would be a sin of idolatry.
Reprinted from July 17, 1998
When I cannot get to Mass on Sunday, can I fulfill my obligation by watching
the TV Mass for shut-ins?
The TV Mass, which is a convenience for people unable to attend Mass, does not satisfy anyone's Mass obligation. Our duty to attend Mass in person on Sunday is a serious one. A serious and grave excuse, however, can cause this duty and obligation to cease altogether. For instance, the kind of sickness that would keep one home from work or school excuses one from attending Mass. Certain kinds of occupations may prevent one from attending Mass, such as firefighters, law enforcement officers, members of the armed forces on duty, etc. A grave duty of charity can also legitimately keep one from Mass, such as taking an accident victim to the hospital. If you are in doubt about these matters, consult your parish priest or your priest-confessor. When you are excused from attending Mass, it is very well to try to "attend by way of television." This is why the generous benefactors who make the TV Masses possible should be gratefully acknowledge in our prayers.
Reprinted from April 17, 1998
How does one have a Mass said? Does a person have to be deceased to have a
Mass said for him? What is the usual offering?
Simply go to any priest (your parish priest would be the best to start) and present your request (and these questions) to him. Just request that the priest offer the Mass and, if he agrees, then the arrangements can be made with him. Masses may be offered for the living as well as for the dead. As a matter of fact, it is very laudable and useful to arrange for Masses to be offered for living persons, for such intentions as their conversion, their health, etc. The usual offering in our part of the world is five dollars. If their schedule permits, priests will offer requested Masses even for those unwilling to pay the stipend. It is also good to know that every pastor has to offer Mass each Sunday and holy day of obligation for all of his parishioners gratuitously.
Reprinted from April 17, 1998
Is it true that in some western states and in Alaska the obligation to attend
Mass on some Holy Days of Obligation does not bind Catholics?
Some states have received an indult from the Holy See lifting the obligation to attend Mass on certain Holy Days of obligation. This is due, I believe, to a great shortage of priests and to the enormous distances that are sometimes involved in those areas of the world.
Reprinted from July 18, 1997
Is it a sin to leave Mass early?
On Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation Catholics are bound under penalty of grave sin to attend Mass. To deliberately come late or leave early is certainly a sin. It can be a serious sin if one is not present for the Gospel, the Preparation of the Gifts, the Consecration, and the Communion. It is discourteous to God, to the priest, and to our fellow worshippers to leave before the priest. It should be remembered, moreover, that attending Sunday Mass is not just a Christian obligation and Catholic duty, but also a joyful privilege and special blessing. Also, recall the famous sign in a church, "Judas Iscariot was the first one to leave Mass early!"
Reprinted from March 28, 1997