Eastern Rite receiving communion at Latin Rite parish

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Tamelyne

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I am an Eastern Rite Catholic, specifically Byzantine-Ruthenian. Our children are baptized, chrismated (confirmed), and communed as infants, and they receive communion from that point forward.

My family currently resides in an area that has no Eastern Rite parishes. We attend a local Roman Rite parish for Sunday Mass and for Confession. We approached the priest at the parish and explained our Eastern Rite tradition of communing the children. Our two oldest are 10 and 8 years old so there isn’t a problem with them. But he is not comfortable serving our 4 year old. He said I could receive in the hand, break the host in two, and share with my 4 year old son.

I am very uncomfortable with this. Every time I do it, I feel like I am desecrating our Lord’s Body, and scandalizing any Roman Rite parishioners who might observe me. I cry every time we drive home after Mass.

Am I doing anything wrong? What else can I do? This is the only priest in the area who is even willing to go this far in communing our 4 year old. I don’t want to deny him communion when he has been receiving it up to this point.
 
Ask him to break they host then administer the sacrament to them on the tongue. Insist politely and perhaps during the homily, if there isn’t a guest speaker, he may explain to the people his action with guest ER Catholics. It would be a good chance to explain that the church is actually a group of churches in communion with each other united with Rome.
 
If your child was communed as an infant and is able to receive the Eucharist in an Eastern rite, they should be able to receive in the Roman rite without any difficulties. The Eucharist is still the Body of Christ in both in Roman and Eastern rites. If the priest says you can receive in your hand and break the Eucharist in half and give it to your child, he is approving of this action. If he is approving of this action I don’t understand why the priest can’t break the host and distribute the Eucharist to your child. You yourself should not be distributing the Eucharist to your child, however, if you did not know this than you are not at fault. I would suggest posting on the Ask an Apologist forum to receive a better opinion on this question. They would know better than I.

God Bless,
matthew
 
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Tamelyne:
I am an Eastern Rite Catholic, specifically Byzantine-Ruthenian. Our children are baptized, chrismated (confirmed), and communed as infants, and they receive communion from that point forward.

My family currently resides in an area that has no Eastern Rite parishes. We attend a local Roman Rite parish for Sunday Mass and for Confession. We approached the priest at the parish and explained our Eastern Rite tradition of communing the children. Our two oldest are 10 and 8 years old so there isn’t a problem with them. But he is not comfortable serving our 4 year old. He said I could receive in the hand, break the host in two, and share with my 4 year old son.

I am very uncomfortable with this. Every time I do it, I feel like I am desecrating our Lord’s Body, and scandalizing any Roman Rite parishioners who might observe me. I cry every time we drive home after Mass.

Am I doing anything wrong? What else can I do? This is the only priest in the area who is even willing to go this far in communing our 4 year old. I don’t want to deny him communion when he has been receiving it up to this point.
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I note that you do live a rather long distance from any BC Church. Have you spoke with Bishop William about starting a mission in your area. I note that Bakersfield isn’t far from your home. I also note that you make some rather lovely chotkis and the like. I hope everyone checks out your website. God bless you in you journey.

Dan Lauffer, our Church’s website is
www.byzantinecatholic.org
 
Tamelyne

Take this to your BC Bishop and the local Roman one.

It does sound as if your Roman Priest is somewhat lacking in understanding of Eastern practices .

This is a wonderful opportunity for education - grab it and use it.

I can understand that you are hesitant to Commune your own child . It does seem odd that the Priest will not give Communion to the wee one but tell you - "it’s OK - just break off a piece of the Host I give you and then give it to your child " Nope - that is not the way 😦
 
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Tamelyne:
I am an Eastern Rite Catholic, specifically Byzantine-Ruthenian. Our children are baptized, chrismated (confirmed), and communed as infants, and they receive communion from that point forward.

My family currently resides in an area that has no Eastern Rite parishes. We attend a local Roman Rite parish for Sunday Mass and for Confession. We approached the priest at the parish and explained our Eastern Rite tradition of communing the children. Our two oldest are 10 and 8 years old so there isn’t a problem with them. But he is not comfortable serving our 4 year old. He said I could receive in the hand, break the host in two, and share with my 4 year old son.

I am very uncomfortable with this.
Am I doing anything wrong? What else can I do? This is the only priest in the area who is even willing to go this far in communing our 4 year old. I don’t want to deny him communion when he has been receiving it up to this point.
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You might get some guidance here: ewtn.com/vexperts/forum25.htm

God Bless.
 
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Tamelyne:
I am an Eastern Rite Catholic, specifically Byzantine-Ruthenian. Our children are baptized, chrismated (confirmed), and communed as infants, and they receive communion from that point forward.

My family currently resides in an area that has no Eastern Rite parishes. We attend a local Roman Rite parish for Sunday Mass and for Confession. We approached the priest at the parish and explained our Eastern Rite tradition of communing the children. Our two oldest are 10 and 8 years old so there isn’t a problem with them. But he is not comfortable serving our 4 year old. He said I could receive in the hand, break the host in two, and share with my 4 year old son.

I am very uncomfortable with this. Every time I do it, I feel like I am desecrating our Lord’s Body, and scandalizing any Roman Rite parishioners who might observe me. I cry every time we drive home after Mass.

Am I doing anything wrong? What else can I do? This is the only priest in the area who is even willing to go this far in communing our 4 year old. I don’t want to deny him communion when he has been receiving it up to this point.
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Yoou are doing nothing wrong. You have not scandalized the Precious Body of Our Lord. As noted, speak to the Bishop of the Latin Diocese in which you attend Mass. Whether or not the priest feels “comfortable” in giving Communion to your 4 year old or not is no reason for him to deny giving it to your son.
 
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