Q. 896.  Has the Holy Eucharist any other effect?  A. The Holy Eucharist remits venial sins by disposing us to perform acts of love and contrition.  It preserves us from mortal sin by exciting us to greater fervor and strengthening us against temptation.

Q. 897. {252} How are we united to Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist?  A. We are united to Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist by means of Holy Communion.

Q. 898. {253} What is Holy Communion? 
A. Holy Communion is the receiving of the body and blood of Christ.

Q. 899.  Is it not beneath the dignity of Our Lord to enter our bodies under the appearance of ordinary food?  A. It is not beneath the dignity of Our Lord to enter our bodies under the appearance of ordinary food any more than it was beneath His dignity to enter the body of His Blessed Mother and remain there as an ordinary child for nine months.  Christ’s dignity, being infinite, can never be diminished by any act on His own or on our part.

Q. 900.  Why does not the Church give Holy Communion to the people as it does to the priest under the appearance of wine also?  A. The Church does not give Holy Communion to the people as it does to the priest under the appearance of wine also, to avoid the danger of spilling the Precious Blood; to prevent the irreverence some might show if compelled to drink out of a chalice used by all, and lastly, to refute those who denied that Our Lord’s blood is present under the appearance of bread also.

Q. 901. {254} What is necessary to make a good Communion?  A. To make a good Communion it is necessary to be in the state of sanctifying grace and to fast according to the laws of the Church.

Q. 902.  What should a person do who, through forgetfulness or any other cause, has broken the fast necessary for Holy Communion?  A. A person who through forgetfulness or any other cause has broken the fast necessary for Holy Communion, should again fast and receive Holy Communion the following morning if possible, without returning to confession.  It is not a sin to break one’s fast, but it would be a mortal sin to receive Holy Communion after knowingly breaking the fast necessary for it.

Q. 903. {255} Does he who receives Communion in mortal sin receive the body and blood of Christ?  A. He who receives Communion in mortal sin receives the body and blood of Christ, but does not receive His grace, and he commits a great sacrilege.

Q. 904. {256} Is it enough to be free from mortal sin to receive plentifully the graces of Holy Communion?  A. To receive plentifully the graces of Holy Communion it is not enough to be free from mortal sin, but we should be free from all affection to venial sin, and should make acts of lively faith, of firm hope, and ardent love.

Q. 905. {257} What is the fast necessary for Holy Communion?  A. The fast necessary for Holy Communion is the abstaining from food, alcoholic drinks and non-alcoholic drinks for one hour before Holy Communion.  Water does not break the fast.