Preparation for Mass, Part 2 of 2
by Fr. Joseph Evinger
This week, in this series on the Mass, I would like to continue the topic of preparation for Mass and Holy Communion. As mentioned in my last article the most important thing to prepare is our minds and hearts as we will be entering into the presence of God and likely will be receiving Holy Communion. Moreover, exteriorly preparing ourselves by the clothes we put on and dressing up helps us prepare our minds and hearts.
In regards to receiving Holy Communion the Catechism 1415 states: “Anyone who desires to receive Christ in Eucharistic communion must be in the state of grace.” In other words, there must not be any mortal or grave sins on our soul. Therefore a good way to prepare ourselves for Mass is regular monthly Confession lest we lose the sense of the gravity of sin even small or venial sins.
The Code of Canon Law tells us that we must fast from all food and drink (water and medicine excepted) for at least one hour before receiving Holy Communion. Fasting from food also prepares us for this great banquet of the Lamb of God. Just as when we naturally fast before going to a great meal at someone’s place how much more ought we for the greatest banquet of heavenly delight. The code, canon 919 states as follows: “One who is to receive the Most Holy Eucharist is to abstain from any food or drink, with the exception only of water and medicine, for at least the period of one hour before Holy Communion. … Those who are advanced in age or who suffer from any infirmity, as well as those who take care of them, can receive the Most Holy Eucharist even if they have taken something during the previous hour.” You may have noticed that it says “any food or drink” with only the exception of water and medicine, thus bubble gum and coffee would not be an exception. These little sacrifices help us to prepare our mind and hearts to enter more fully into this great mystery of the Holy Eucharist.