His Holiness Pope Shenouda III states that fasting for the priest is not superficial but a rite to be preserved when administering the sacraments, since most sacraments should be performed by the priest while he is fasting, with some exceptions for necessity.

General Rules of Fasting in the Sacraments
The priest ought to baptize while fasting and not after the Divine Liturgy if he broke his fast by washing the chalice or drinking water. Likewise, the priest must be fasting when giving communion to the sick and when performing sacraments such as the anadel and the marking, because these are sacraments of the sick and ought to be done in fasting.

Practical and Organizational Details
It is preferable to perform baptisms early in the morning before the Liturgy (for example at 6:00, 6:30, or 7:00) so that the baptized may partake during the Liturgy. His Holiness also emphasizes the need to organize who hands over the elements and to train those who deliver them to avoid mistakes.

Exceptions and Necessities
A patient who takes medicines or is in an exceptional case is considered a special case and may be accommodated; likewise confession may have necessary exceptions because we do not prevent the sinner from returning to the Church. As for marriage, formerly couples fasted three days before receiving the sacrament, but now in some situations weddings occur in the evening and the priest and the couple break the fast together as a practical necessity.

Attention to the Priest’s Rite
The priest is not to be considered an exceptional case because he must preserve the fasting rite regarding the sacraments he performs, otherwise he becomes a priest who loses the particularity and validity of fasting in ministry.

Notes on Teaching and Awareness
His Holiness will write in the kerygma to alert priests to the importance of these regulations, and asks those who hand over the elements to notify the bishopric if an error occurs so that the matter may be corrected.

Spiritual Conclusion
Maintaining the fasting rite in the administration of sacraments reflects the sanctification of priestly work and care for the value of the sacraments, and one must balance adherence to the rite with mercy in cases of necessity.

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