Spit your gum out...before Eucharistic celebrations, please

by C.H. Pak

     Every once in a while the faithful will see something going on at Mass that probably shouldn't be happening and they come asking questions because they're confused. To the weekly or daily communicant such questions may appear bizarre (presumably we've been solidly formed in our traditions), yet we are obliged anyway to answer clearly, kindly, and unambiguously when asked. One such question is whether gum-chewing is permissible during Mass and when receiving communion.

     Folks, chewing gum is for baseball games, watching TV, and maybe after meals - but not for Holy Mass, and definitely not when you are receiving Jesus Christ in Holy Communion. If we pause to take in the reality of what we are celebrating, in the company of angels and saints, and in the presence of God, it should naturally follow that we participate with reverence and grace. Chewing gum is considered rude in class, at the dinner table, and at formal gatherings - the same rule applies to Mass. Think about it - how do you think Jesus feels getting chewed around in someone's mouth with gum all over Him? Imagine the ramifications when a gum-chewer receives Jesus and spits the gum out in the trash after Mass. The Son of God comes to us in friendship as a spiritually and physically nourishing gift, not as our mid-morning snack, and we should treat His presence in our bodies and our lives as precious and holy.
     Furthermore, Canon Law obliges us Catholics to fast for one hour prior to receiving Holy Communion. EWTN provides a great synopsis of this law and a solid explanation, which includes questions about gum chewing:

Fasting for One Hour. By ancient tradition Christians abstain from profane food prior to receiving the sacred food of the Eucharist. Until the pontificate of Pope Pius XII the Eucharistic fast was from midnight. Pope Pius reduced it to three hours, and after Vatican II, Pope Paul VI reduced it to one hour. The current Code of Canon Law states,

Canon 9191. 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.
2. A priest who celebrates the Most Holy Eucharist two or three times on the same day may take something before the second or third celebration even if the period of one hour does not intervene.
3. 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.

The Eucharistic fast is before Holy Communion, not the Mass. It is a fast from food and drink, water is alright, as is medicine. The moral theology tradition teaches that to be food it must be a) edible, b) taken by mouth, and c) swallowed. In addition to breakfast, lunch and dinner, candies, breath mints, lozanges and anything that is put into the mouth to be dissolved or chewed meets these conditions once the dissolved contents are swallowed. Chewing gum does not break the fast, but it is disrespectful of the Sacred Liturgy and once the juice is swallowed the fast is broken. The tradition also teaches that the fast is strict - one hour, that is, 60 minutes. Given that until recently the fast was from midnight, this seems very little to ask of Catholics.

Please do your part to prevent abuses and desecration of Communion. Educate others. Be a good example. If you see someone chewing gum at Mass, offer him or her a tissue to spit it out. If said individual refuses and goes to communion still chewing gum, just tell the priest afterwards. Offer a prayer for the person. Then be at peace.