The Office of the Archbishop of Caceres released January 16 a circular reminding the faithful about the hours of fasting to be observed before partaking in the Blessed Eucharist.

        Whoever is to receive the Blessed Eucharist is to abstain for a least one hour before Holy Communion, the circular posits, from all food and drink, with the sole exception of water and medicine.

        A priest who, on the same day, celebrates the Blessed Eucharist twice or three times may consume something before the second or third celebration, even though there is not an hour interval. However, the elderly and those who are suffering from some illness, as well as those who care for them, may receive the Blessed Eucharist even if within the preceding hour they have consumed something. Explaining the reason for the Eucharistic Fast, the circular said that the fast is a means of spiritual preparation and a way to show reverence for the Eucharist. The fast likewise “assists us in preparing to receive Holy Communion wholly body and soul. This physical mortification strengthens our spiritual focus on the Lord, so that we may humbly encounter the divine Savior who offers Himself to us.”

        On the duration of the fast and the computation of time, the circular encourages the faithful “to observe at least one hour Eucharistic Fast. By specifying that the fast is to be at least one hour, the law encourages the faithful to fast for a longer period, if they desire.

        “Priests, including those who concelebrate, only have to fast before their first Mass in the day, even if the next Mass is much later in the day, e.g., after dinner. “The one-hour fast is computed from the time of completion of eating or drinking until the reception of Holy Communion, not on the onset of the Mass.

        Dispensation from Eucharistic Fast is reserved to the Diocesan Bishop.

        Before receiving Holy Communion, the faithful who intend to receive Holy Communion must abstain from eating all food and drink, except water and medicine, the latter being either solid or liquid and need not be prescribed by a physician.

        Those who are exempted from the Eucharistic Fast are: the sick and the elderly who are at least 60 years of age; priests in the same conditions are also exempted from the Eucharistic Fast as this applies both to celebrating Mass and to the reception of Holy Communion; those who are actually taking care of the sick or the elderly (e.g., nurses, home-helps, members of the family, etc.) and who cannot observe the one hour Eucharistic Fast without serious inconvenience.

        Those exempted, however, are encouraged to spend suitable amount of time in silence and recollection before receiving Holy Communion. To this end, they are to be informed at an opportune moment before hand when they are to be given the sacrament.

         More importantly, the same people, moved by piety and respect for the dignity of the sacrament, are in no way prevented from avoiding receiving Communion immediately after eating

        The archbishop is urging the clergy to read to the people after the Post Communion Prayer the 3-Minute Catechesis on Eucharistic Fast to be provided by the Caceres Catechetical Ministry in all masses on February 7, 14, 21, and 28, 2010.

        Through these reminders, the Archbishop expresses confidence that the faithful will be able to approach the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist with much devotion and reverence and to hold it in highest honor.

We are going to face serious challenges in the 2010 Elections that are not only political but also clearly and profoundly moral. We are a nation that values family and life and yet for years our elected leaders have been attempting to make laws that pose a grave threat to these values. So once again we find the opportune occasion for the Church to exercise its teaching authority to guide us in carrying out their political responsibilities in a faithful citizenship.

        The family has always been among the Church’s urgent concerns because it is both the Domestic Church and the Basic Unit of Society. A strong family is the only assurance to having a strong society.

        In the 2004 and 2007 elections, the CBCP encouraged the faithful to exercise their Christian responsibility to be involved in politics in the conscientious selection of candidates, among others. We have consistently spoken out in defense of life and family. We do so again at this historic juncture in our national life.

        As Catholic voters, we understand that to protect our society from the invasion of anti-life and anti-family values, we have to form our conscience well. This will enable us to use the power of our vote to demand accountability and coherence from our candidates. We would like to ensure that we have a democracy that is firmly founded on a consistent moral framework that will strengthen the foundation of our society and protect its weakest and most vulnerable members.

        This Catechism is written primarily for the Family and Life Ministries of the different dioceses in the Philippines, which fall under the care of this Episcopal Commission. This is also intended as a reference for all families. The aim of this Catechism is to help Catholics form their consciences in accordance with God’s truth with regards to family, life and responsible parenthood. It will help to make their faith operative when it comes to living their life in the Church and in society. The intention is not to tell Catholics for whom or against whom to vote. The responsibility to make political choices rests with each individual in light of a properly formed conscience, and that participation goes well beyond casting a vote in a particular election.

        This Catechism cannot be read with a casuistic mentality, of one searching for a fine line dividing mortal sin from venial sin. Rather, it should be read from a magnanimous perspective of one who strives to ask how to best serve the Filipino, the Filipino family and the country.

        Will this Catechism on family and life concerns not violate the separation of Church and State?

        The separation of Church and State prohibits the State from interfering in Church matters, and prohibits the State from having a State religion. It does not imply a division between belief and public actions, between moral principles and political choices. In fact, the freedom of religion upheld by our Constitution protects the right of believers and religious groups to practice their faith and act on their values in public life.

        The Church has the duty to teach Catholics about the importance of taking their Faith with them in all their endeavors, including voting. Catholics must live their faith in order to integrate God into their lives. For faith to be genuine, it must be evident not only in Church activities, but in all aspects of life, at work, at home, and in politics as well. The Constitution guarantees the right of each citizen to exercise his or her religion. Catholics who bring their moral convictions into public life do not threaten democracy or pluralism but rather enrich the nation and its political life.

        Every Catholic is both a faithful of the Church and a citizen of our beloved Philippines. The exercise of this faithful citizenship means that when they go to the polls to vote they should not leave God outside. They should take with them, among others:

        A renewed understanding of how God views life: “God created male and female, in the divine image He created them” and “found them to be very good.” (Gen 1:27. 31).

        A remembrance that God created marriage and “that is why man leaves his father and mother and clings to his wife and the two of them become one body” (Gen 2:24). It is not a lifestyle choice that the law can remake into something that God never intended it to be.

        Knowledge of what their beliefs as Catholics are and vote with a well-formed conscience.