fasting?
A. Anyone in danger of death is allowed to receive Communion when not
fasting.

"Not fasting." But then the Holy Communion is called by another name; it
is called the Viaticum, and the priest uses a different prayer in giving
it to the sick person. When a person dies, he goes, as it were, on a
journey from this world to the next. Now, when persons are going on a
journey they must have food to strengthen them. Our Lord wished,
therefore, that all His children who had to go on this most important of
all journeys--from this world to the next--should be first strengthened
by this sacred food, His own body and blood. The Latin word for road or
way is via, and Viaticum therefore means food for the way. Not only are
persons in danger of death allowed to receive when not fasting, but they
are obliged to receive; and the priest is obliged under pain of sin to
bring Holy Communion to the dying at any hour of the day or night.

When I speak of a great journey from this world to the next, from earth
to Heaven, you must not understand me to mean that it is a great many
miles from earth to Heaven, or that it takes a long time to go to the
next world. No. We cannot measure the distance, nor does it take time to
get there. The instant we die, no matter where that happens, our soul is
in the next world, and judged by God.

*259 Q. When are we bound to receive Holy Communion?
A. We are bound to receive Holy Communion, under pain of mortal sin,
during the Easter time and when in danger of death.

*260 Q. Is it well to receive Holy Communion often?
A. It is well to receive Holy Communion often, as nothing is a greater
aid to a holy life than often to receive the Author of all graces and
the Source of all good.

*261 Q. What should we do after Holy Communion?
A. After Holy Communion we should spend some time in adoring Our Lord,
in thanking Him for the graces we have received and in asking Him for
the blessings we need.

Lesson 24
ON THE SACRIFICE OF THE MASS

262 Q. When and where are the bread and wine changed into the body and
blood of Christ?
A. The bread and wine are changed into the body and blood of Christ at
the consecration in the Mass.

263 Q. What is the Mass?
A. The Mass is the unbloody sacrifice of the body and blood of Christ.

The Holy Sacrifice is called Mass probably from the words the priest
says at the end when he turns to the people and says, "Ite Missa est";
that is, when he tells them the