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Question Title Posted By Question Date
Can a priest grant this type of dispensation Jonathan Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Question:

I few months ago I went to mass at a small chapel and a priest I know was celebrating mass. There were about 10 people in attendance and the priest usually has the exact amount of altar breads to consecrate so he won't have any left over. I told the priest before Mass that I would not receive communion because I had not fasted the full hour. He said he had the authority to dispense with the fast and it was OK for me to receive. I did go to communion but I didnt feel right. Can a priest just out of the clear for no reason dispense with the fast?

Thank you for your reply.
Question Answered by Mr. Jacob Slavek

Dear Jonathan.

Canon Law makes no mention of such authority for dispensation.  Speaking for myself, I wouldn't "believe" the priest and as charitably as I could insist on declining reception.

If I *had* received simply because I was just going on what I was told, and yet it still continued to bother me, I could ask the priest to further explain his "authority" at a more convenient time other than immediately prior to Mass.  :-)

Otherwise I wouldn't worry too much about it just that once.

Someone else could receive TWO hosts if there was one "left over", that would be just fine.

Mr. Slavek
Footer Notes: (a) A Eucharistic Minister is clergy (Ordinary Ministers of Holy Communion). Laity are Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion and should never be called Eucharistic Ministers.

(b) There is no such Mass called the Novus Ordo. The Current Mass is the Roman Missal of 2000, or the Oridinary Form of the Mass. The Tridentine Mass is the Roman Missal of 1962, or the Extraordinary Form of the Mass. Please refrain from using the term, Novus Ordo. Thanks.

(c) The titles of Acolyte and Lector belong exclusively to the Installed Offices of Acolyte and Lector, who are men (only) appointed by the Bishop. These roles performed by others are Altar Servers and Readers, respectively.