e 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.

{T.N.: The reprint book, upon which this e-text is based, contains the
statement, "Complete and unabridged, except for the rules governing
reception of Holy Communion."}

Q. 906. Does