Children and receiving communion

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Today my 6 year old who attends classes for his first communion wanted to participate in communion and went up front with his arms crossed to receive a blessing he was last in line and when the father seen him he just turned his back and ignored him. My child then came sat on my lap and cried asking why he didn’t get a blessing. Is this the right thing the father did or should i make a complaint? ( i also asked the father himself after mass and he said i know i know but communion is only for those receiving communion and everyone gets a blessing during mass) i really don’t understand why anybody would ignore a child of god whom is 100% pure and sin free . Today’s reading was about bringing the children and not preventing him . Its very important for my child to lead him to God and I don’t see it right that any child should go through that. How hard was a just to show a child a little love and compassion…I’m pretty sure if it was Jesus who was there he would have received him with open arms…so why cant our priest do the same??? Jesus says that the main commandment is LOVE, Love is not ignoring and turning your back on anybody. Love is about caring and making people feel good and treating them right. I guess that is just how i see things and i hope i am not wrong.
 
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Receiving a blessing in the communion line is common but isn’t official. Therefore, you need to make sure you’re at a parish that offers blessings to non-communicants. Staying in the pew if you’re not receiving communion is always a safe choice.

That being said, I’m sorry your child had this experience. What a sad way to treat a child.
 
I would just explain to your son that a blessing during communion is something extra that some priests like to do, but not all priests do it. Remind him that everyone receives a blessing at the end of Mass and that his dad can bless him with holy water as you exit the church if he wants.
 
Interesting day for that to have happened, in that “Let the children come to me; do not prevent them” was in the Gospel reading.
 
I don’t think the priest intended for the child to feel upset. Sometimes priests will be very firm about the way they prefer things done, so I would just chalk it up as a misunderstanding.

Hopefully his First Communion will be a very joyful occasion for him. 🙂
 
SuscipeMeDomine said:
Receiving a blessing in the communion line is common but isn’t official. Therefore, you need to make sure you’re at a parish that offers blessings to non-communicants. Staying in the pew if you’re not receiving communion is always a safe choice.

That being said, I’m sorry your child had this experience. What a sad way to treat a child.
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Especially considering what today’s gospel reading was!
 
The whole idea of not receiving but getting into line for a blessing is rather new, and quite unnecessary from a liturgical standpoint. It has lead to the rather weird situation of lay Eucharistic minister giving blessings.

OTOH, in many churches it does have one advantage:. It makes it easier, especially for older people, to get out if the pew on the way to communion, not having to climb pass people who don’t go.
 
Given the nature of the current political climate surrounding priests, many I know will only put their hands within a foot of a child if they’ve gotten explicit verbal permission from a parent beforehand. My priest will make a small sign of the cross with his thumb on an adult or known child, otherwise he stays in the communion position and simply makes a small air cross and nods.

Also, if he’s a small 6yo, it could be that he didn’t see him, especially if he was watching to ensure that a previous Eucharistic recipient was not ill behaved. I’ve had a priest look up at me, surprised, because he hadn’t realized I was ready to receive when he was watching others.
 
LMV said:
Today my 6 year old who attends classes for his first communion wanted to participate in communion and went up front with his arms crossed to receive a blessing he was last in line and when the father seen him he just turned his back and ignored him. My child then came sat on my lap and cried asking why he didnt get a blessing. Is this the right thing the father did or should i make a complaint? ( i also asked the father himself after mass and he said communion is only for those receiving communion and eveyone gets a blessing during mass)
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That isn’t the time for the priest to give blessings.
 
yes i know but it didnt cost the father anything to even just shake his little hand just a few seconds of his time for a child who is innocent and free of sin smh
 
yea a child who is 100% free of sin and who is learning about God and comes back crying saying why didnt i get a blessing was sad and now he doesnt want to go to church
 
thats true, i guess why he was sad and confused was because last sunday the father blessed him and he enjoyed that.
 
Exactly!!! not to mention he was the last in line and that happened in front of the whole church smh i mean just a little acknowledgement would have made his little heart content
 
i know what you mean but when the holy spirit is calling one up to the front like he was , i mean he just wanted to go with everyone up infront of Jesus and get a lil blessing . how hard was it for the father to do?? last sunday the father did it…
 
he did see my son he was the last in line and he looked at him and turned away not even a sign of the cross in the air or even a nod
 
LMV said:
he did see my son he was the last in line and he looked at him and turned away not even a sign of the cross in the air or even a nod
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Quite frankly looking at dosn’t equal seeing, and even if blessings are common, protecting the Eucharist is parament so he may have had other things on his mind. If you’re that upset, talk to the guy. If your kid didn’t get a blessing the priest still did nothing wrong. The fact that he turned his back most likely means his attetion was completly diverted and your child was the last thing on his mind.
 
LMV said:
i know what you mean but when the holy spirit is calling one up to the front like he was , i mean he just wanted to go with everyone up infront of Jesus and get a lil blessing . how hard was it for the father to do?? last sunday the father did it…
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So what’s your issue then? Give the priest the benefit of the doubt. Ask Father for a blessing after. Your kid was disappointed and got overlooked. Mass is about the Eucharist. Heck, sometimes people in the “handicapped” seating get overlooked for Communion. After Mass, they usually ask an usher to receive. And that’s for Communion. Mistakes happen.
LMV said:
I hope so i just hope i can get him to go again next sunday
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He’s 6. Unless you don’t have custody of him, he needs to go to Mass with you if he’s preparing for communion. If he’s not ready to prepare to recieve communion then he can skip classes and Mass.
 
Because he likely had no idea it was important to your son. The problem is not the priest’s fault for doing what is perfectly valid. The communion line is for receiving communion, not a blessing. The problem is with whoever taught your son to go up and expect a blessing. That is who is in the wrong and who caused your son’s hurt feelings.
 
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The communion line is not the proper place for blessings or handshakes. It is for reception of Holy Communion.

Did someone lead you to believe your child would be acknowledged in the line?

Maybe it is best to tell your little guy “mommy was mistaken. The line is for receiving the Eucharist and soon you will finish your preparation and be able to receive the Eucharist! Let’s mark the calendar so you know how many Sundays are between now and your First Communion!”
 
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