Communion refused

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I am pretty sure you can’t receive the Eucharist in the state of mortal sin.
Well, you can, but it would be grave matter and would be profaning the Sacrament, and would open one to curses and infirmities.
I’m assuming the priest had noticed SOMETHING was off, which made him think that something is amiss. Perhaps not talking on the cell phone, but I imagine there must be some reason he would be suspicious enough to ask her this.
For all we know, he could be a saint who has the gift of knowing the state of one’s soul, we don’t know. But I don’t think he’d just be suspicious like this without reason.

It is also possible that in the case of the daughter, since she didn’t speak the language, he MIGHT have been under the impression that she had not had her first Communion, which is a (I am pretty sure) calid reason for denying Communion.
 
Technically you are right… that if one has not been to confession one should not receive. That being said, your post comes across a bit heavy handed.
Regardless, it is not normal practice for a priest to question random parishioners in the communion line…and certainly not to single them out.
 
Negative on first communion being reason to deny communion.

Having takin first communion is not a requirement for communion, ironically a bit I’d say.
 
Good grief people! Nowhere did the OP say he was in mortal sin and had not been to confession recently. The priest had to know that this mother had American nationals who spoke little or no Spanish at the funeral. The OP could have been to confession three days before the funeral, it was not mentioned.
 
I’m very upset …
Prayers are in order:

For you and your daughter, that you may, with God’s help, find healing and peace.

For your mother: Eternal rest grant unto Esperanza’s mother, O Lord, and let the perpetual light shine upon her. May her soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
 
So you can give someone who has not received first communion the Eucharist? Isn’t that when one recieve their “first confession” as well?
And one not receiving their first communion can also be a sign of not being baptized if they are of age to have normally received it, which is most certainly not legal.
 
I know, I have been saying probably and such for this reason, as I don’t think she’s responded for a very long time about it, so we do not know.

We are just trying to come up with reasons why this may be, or what the priest may have been thinking, since we have only limited information.

If this comes across as presumptive I apologize, especially during this time of grief for the OP and child.
 
My take is that there is much over reaction on all sides here. The Catechism (CCC 1415) states:
Anyone who desires to receive Christ in Eucharistic communion must be in the state of grace. Anyone aware of having sinned mortally must not receive communion without having received absolution in the sacrament of penance.
It’s as simple as that: only the OP can say whether he/she was aware of having sinned mortally.

However, Code of Canon Law 915:
Those who have been excommunicated or interdicted after the imposition or declaration of the penalty and others obstinately persevering in manifest grave sin are not to be admitted to holy communion.
So the question would be did the priest have reason to believe the OP and daughter were obstinately persevering in manifest grave sin? It seems the answer is likely no, but we don’t know what he may have seen or overheard or thought he had seen or overheard.

Perhaps the priest was overzealous to a fault, perhaps he observed something and acted in good faith from a misunderstanding, or perhaps something in between. There’s just not enough info to make rash judgement or action.

But more importantly, @espiishope247, it’s not clear how recent your mother’s passing was. I offer up prayer for her and your family. You’ve been given a grace in desiring confession and a return to your faith, I hope you have followed through with this resolution.
 
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maybe the priest had hit the happy hour before the the service

i’ve never heard of anybody being challenged by a diocescan priest before receiving communion
 
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