2. have no mortal sin on your soul;

3. be fasting.

WHAT DOES FASTING MEAN?

"Fasting" means that for one hour before receiving Communion, you have to stop eating solid food and drinking all liquids except water.

You may take water, and if sick, medicine any time before receiving. You must stop chewing gum at least one hour before. Until the 1950's, the Church required fasting from midnight before Communion; this rule was later shortened to three hours for food and one hour for liquids (with water being allowed at any time); then it was changed to one hour for food and drink, except water. It is very praiseworthy to continue observing the traditional fast either from midnight or for three hours.

WHAT KIND OF SIN IS IT TO RECEIVE COMMUNION UNWORTHILY?

To do so knowingly and willingly is a mortal sin called a sacrilege. (I Corinthians 11:27-29).

HOLY COMMUNION IS YOUR TREASURE

Consider what you lose when you miss one Holy Communion:

1. You lose a special increase of Sanctifying Grace, that grace which makes your soul more pleasing to God.

2. You lose the sacramental grace which entitles you to special help in the time of temptation and in the discharge of your duties.

3. You lose a precious opportunity of having all your venial sins wiped away,

4. You miss the special preserving influence which each Holy Communion confers against the fires of passion.

5. You miss the opportunity of obtaining remission of a part or of all the temporal punishment due to your sins.

6. You lose the spiritual joy, the sweetness, and the particular comfort that come from a fervent Holy Communion.

7. You miss a personal visit with Jesus, the Author of all spiritual energy and of all holiness.

8. You lose a greater degree of glory that would be yours in Heaven for all eternity.

You may lose:

a. Complete victory over some fault or passion.

b. Some particular grace long prayed for.

c. The conversion or salvation of some soul.

d. The deliverance of a relative or friend from Purgatory.

e. Many graces for others, both the living and the dead.

Of what riches you deprive yourself daily by neglecting Holy Mass! The Mass is the best preparation for Holy Communion. At the hour of death your greatest consolation will be the Masses you have heard and the Holy Communions you have received.

Pledge yourself to receive Holy Communion at least once a week.