acrament: but it must be understood of the same
day; and although the beginning of the day varies according to
different systems of reckoning (for some begin their day at noon,
some at sunset, others at midnight, and others at sunrise), the Roman
Church begins it at midnight. Consequently, if any person takes
anything by way of food or drink after midnight, he may not receive
this sacrament on that day; but he can do so if the food was taken
before midnight. Nor does it matter, so far as the precept is
concerned, whether he has slept after taking food or drink, or
whether he has digested it; but it does matter as to the mental
disturbance which one suffers from want of sleep or from indigestion,
for, if the mind be much disturbed, one becomes unfit for receiving
this sacrament.

Reply Obj. 6: The greatest devotion is called for at the moment of
receiving this sacrament, because it is then that the effect of the
sacrament is bestowed, and such devotion is hindered more by what
goes before it than by what comes after it. And therefore it was
ordained that men should fast before receiving the sacrament rather
than after. Nevertheless there ought to be some interval between
receiving this sacrament and taking other food. Consequently, both
the Postcommunion prayer of thanksgiving is said in the Mass, and the
communicants say their own private prayers.

However, according to the ancient Canons, the following ordination was
made by Pope Clement I, (Ep. ii), "If the Lord's portion be eaten in
the morning, the ministers who have taken it shall fast until the
sixth hour, and if they take it at the third or fourth hour, they
shall fast until evening." For in olden times, the priest celebrated
Mass less frequently, and with greater preparation: but now, because
the sacred mysteries have to be celebrated oftener, the same could not
be easily observed, and so it has been abrogated by contrary custom.
_______________________

NINTH ARTICLE [III, Q. 80, Art. 9]

Whether Those Who Have Not the Use of Reason Ought to Receive This
Sacrament?

Objection 1: It seems that those who have not the use of reason ought
not to receive this sacrament. For it is required that man should
approach this sacrament with devotion and previous self-examination,
according to 1 Cor. 11:28: "Let a man prove himself, and so let him
eat of that bread, and drink of the chalice." But this is not
possible for those who are devoid of reason. Therefore this