Communion before first eucharist

[Phemie]

Back in the late 1940s, my mother had such a celebration. This took place in rural, northwest Wisconsin.

As to the OP, it is a strange set of circumstances. It would be interesting to hear how it could have happened.

Dan

Your mom, Solemn Communion celebration? The Solemn Communion that I’m familiar with originated in France after Pius X’s request that children receive Communion at the age of reason. This became known, in France, as “Petite Communion” (Little Communion) and was very much a family affair. Later on in their early teens there would be a short but intense period of catechesis more suitable for adolescents and then there would be a parish formal affair known as Solemn Communion.

It was celebrated in Francophone communities in Canada until the late 60s. I opted not to do it when my peers did and the next year it was gone. They had started pushing back Confirmation to the teens by then, when for many of us it had been the same year or the year after our First Communion depending on when the Bishop did his visit (usually every second year).

As for how a child who hasn’t made his First Communion would come to be given Communion, well, our priest recently gave Communion to a child he knows full well is not scheduled to make his First Communion for at least another year. The kid was in the sanctuary with his altar server sisters when they were given Communion and he gave Jesus to him too. We wouldn’t have known except the EMHC who was present spilled the beans.

 

[vallancec]

I think it’s a good idea to talk to your priest about this.

 

[His_helpmeet]

I’ve seen a couple of different things. I helped to teach First Communion preparation and we had the kids practice with soda crackers and orange juice. (We made it clear it was just practice and they were not consecrated AT ALL.) In another parish, they had the kids do First Communion at the Triduum celebrations. The parents could let the priest know in advance which Mass they would attend and then the priest would announce it at Mass. In May, after all the kids had received First Communion, they had a formal social.

 

[Phemie]

I’ve seen a couple of different things. I helped to teach First Communion preparation and we had the kids practice with soda crackers and orange juice. (We made it clear it was just practice and they were not consecrated AT ALL.) In another parish, they had the kids do First Communion at the Triduum celebrations. The parents could let the priest know in advance which Mass they would attend and then the priest would announce it at Mass. In May, after all the kids had received First Communion, they had a formal social.

When our daughter was ready for First Communion we lived in a parish where we, the parents, were expected to catechize them for that sacrament. There was a workbook and regular gatherings of the families to learn how to do this. Once they had completed the workbook they met with the priest for an interview and if he felt they were ready to receive they could do so at the next Mass they attended. Near the end of the school year we had one Sunday when those who had not received already made their First Communion and the entire group was recognized and there was a small celebration afterward.

We always had the kids practice receiving (we also did that before I received my First Communion 59 years ago) but we would never do that within an actual Mass. There is just too much chance of misunderstanding. And it’s always done with real altar bread and wine so that they become familiar with the taste.

 

[ccampbell1]

I got in contact with the Parish and I mustn’t have been paying full attention -perhaps because Communion was busy and kids lining up and sitting down. The host was consecrated as I believed but when the kids went up they only received a blessing and not the bread like the adults did. So, my confusion here.