I didn’t want to hijack the thread on First Communion, and something said there intrigued me:
In RC, what haapens to those that are NOT able to have reason, the mentally challenged, the people who remain children, so to speak, all their lives? When are they “ready” to receive the Eucharist? How can you tell they “understand” what it is?
If they are allowed to receive, I’m afraid that makes a good argument for infants being allowed to receive too.
Yes, I’m Orthodox, how did you guess?
we have discussed the Eastern Rites practice of fully initiating infants elsewhere, so we are not going there on this thread.
At present “the age of reason” or the age of discretion, or catechetical age, means capable of receiving and profiting from religious instruction, capable of distinguishing right from wrong (necessary for preparing for confession which must precede 1st communion), or age to understand the difference between ordinary bread and wine and the Sacred Species, that Jesus is fully present in the Eucharist, to exhibit a desire to receive Jesus, to understand at least the basics of the Mass and old enough to follow along, with an aid suitable to the child’s age if necessary (rather than playing with transformers or coloring and eating goldfish all through Mass).
A child of diminished ability to learn academically is not necessarily unable to learn enough to receive communion worthily. Many of these children, even those who are not verbal, can express eloquently their perception of Jesus present in the Sacrament and their desire to receive him, and can do so reverently and worthily.
It is an individual judgment made in the final instance by the pastor with the (name removed by moderator)ut of parents, godparents, catechists and others who know the child well.
before someone asks, because it always comes up in this context, yes, there are children who probably will never have a mental development of the capacity to freely, knowingly commit mortal sin. These children must still be prepared to the extent of their ability to understand the difference between right and wrong, ie. “hurting others and hurting yourself”, and offered the opportunity for first confession. It may very well be that they never “need” confession, but should always be given the opportunity if they ask for it. If they otherwise exhibit the understanding necessary to receive communion, the presumption should always be made in favor of receiving the sacraament.
No matter what the mental or physical condition of the child, all should be confirmed at the usual age in their diocese, or earlier if their condition is such that life expectancy is shortened.
