Different Christian traditions require varying degrees of preparation, which may include a period of fasting, prayer, repentance, and confession.
From the 1979 Book of Common Prayer of the Episcopal Church in the United States: The Holy Eucharist is the sacrament commanded by Christ for the continual remembrance of his life, death, and resurrection, until his coming again.
The benefits we receive are the forgiveness of our sins, the strengthening of our union with Christ and one another, and the foretaste of the heavenly banquet which is our nourishment in eternal life.
Saint Augustine's Prayer Book, which is used by many Anglicans of a High Churchmanship, requires a Eucharistic Fast to be held by Christians prior to receiving Holy Communion; it defines this as a "strict fast from both food and drink from midnight" that is done "in order to receive the Blessed Sacrament as the first food of the day" in "homage to our Lord".
[1] Jus novum (c. 1140-1563) Jus novissimum (c. 1563-1918) Jus codicis (1918-present) Other Sacraments Sacramentals Sacred places Sacred times Supra-diocesan/eparchal structures Particular churches Juridic persons Philosophy, theology, and fundamental theory of Catholic canon law Clerics Office Juridic and physical persons Associations of the faithful Pars dynamica (trial procedure) Canonization Election of the Roman Pontiff Academic degrees Journals and Professional Societies Faculties of canon law Canonists Institute of consecrated life Society of apostolic life Sufficient spiritual preparation must be made by each Catholic prior to receiving Holy Communion and one must believe truly in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist.
Deliberate and irreverent treatment of the Eucharist is the worst of all sacrileges, as this quote from the Council of Trent shows: As of all the sacred mysteries…none can compare with the…Eucharist, so likewise for no crime is there heavier punishment to be feared from God than for the unholy or irreligious use by the faithful of that which...contains the very Author and Source of holiness.
[3] As such, “Those who have not kept the natural fast from midnight are not allowed to receive, except in danger of death, or in case it should become necessary to consume the Blessed Sacrament to safeguard it against irreverence.”[3] On 6 January 1953, Pope Pius XII provided a dispensation in which the sick could take liquids during this time, though alcohol was strictly forbidden; the dispensation also allowed priests to consume liquids if they were offering the sacrifice of the Holy Mass after 9 am, engaged in "onerous work of the sacred ministry (for example, from early in the morning or for a long time)," or after a long journey.
[citation needed] Eastern Orthodox Christians are required to fast from all food and drink and abstain from marital relations[6] in preparation for receiving the Eucharist.
Those who are indifferent to the suffering and death of Christ or who merely make a habit of the celebration of the sacrament, and partake of Holy Communion in this manner, run the risk of doing so unworthily.
"[17] Traditionally, before the Lord's Supper is celebrated on a Sunday, Methodist pastors meet with class leaders and their class meetings on the preceding Friday (the traditional day of fasting in Methodism) to "inquire how their souls are prospering; to exhort, reprove, advise, etc., as duty may require, preparatory to their receiving the Lord's Supper.
"[18][19] The Wesleyan Holiness Association of Churches holds that "Being the Communion Feast, only those who have faith in Christ and love for the saints should be called to participate (Matt.
"[21] Pope Dionysius of Alexandria taught that with regard to menstruating women that "not even they themselves, being faithful and pious, would dare when in this state either to approach the Holy Table or to touch the Body and Blood of Christ.
In modern times, there is no uniform practice of earlier patterns of fasting, public or private prayer, or the preparatory service (Vespers).
However, the Westminster Larger Catechism has rather extensive instructions on how those who "receive the sacrament of the Lord's supper are, before they come, to prepare themselves unto..." Specifically, they are to prepare "by examining themselves of their being in Christ, of their sins and wants; of the truth and measure of their knowledge, faith, repentance; love to God and the brethren, charity to all men, forgiving those that have done them wrong; of their desires after Christ, and of their new obedience; and by renewing the exercise of these graces, by serious meditation, and fervent prayer.
"[23] Therefore, the Presbyterian Church in America's Directory for the Worship of God advises that a week's notice be given to the congregation prior to the administration of the Lord's supper: "It is proper that public notice should be given to the congregation, at least the Sabbath before the administration of this ordinance, and that, either then, or on some day of the week, the people be instructed in its nature, and a due preparation for it, that all may come in a suitable manner to this holy feast.
Sedevacantists often hold concerns regarding perceived departures from dogmatic pronouncements and changes to ecclesiastical discipline since the Second Vatican Council, leading to a difference between their fasting and abstinence practices and that of the Catholic Church.