First Communion During Lent?

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Quick Question for those in the Know on the Norms - Is it Permitted to Celebrate First Communion during Lent? Sounded a Little Odd to Me…:hmmm:
 
docholmes said:
Quick Question for those in the Know on the Norms - Is it Permitted to Celebrate First Communion during Lent? Sounded a Little Odd to Me…:hmmm:
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There are two days in Lent that are out: barring exceptional cases (no priest on any other day?) it is not appropriate for First Communion to be celebrated at the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday and it mustn’t be on Good Friday since First Communion must be within Mass. Sunday Mass is preferred since Sunday is regarded as the day of the Eucharist.
 
I figured as Much but Sometimes believe that Celebrations such as First Communion convey a spirit of Joy and shouldn’t be “scheduled” during Seasons of Preparation and Penance but More so During a Season of Joy! But…If that fits YOUR Schedule (ie Fr. I’m To Busy) then…:console:
 
docholmes said:
Quick Question for those in the Know on the Norms - Is it Permitted to Celebrate First Communion during Lent? Sounded a Little Odd to Me…
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it is not the norm, but it could happen if there was a grave reason why it could not wait until Easter or after.
I think it is prohibited on Holy Thursday.

some occasions I can think of might be an adult Catholic who has completed preparation for first communion and confirmation, confirmation is not set until Pentecost, but they are getting married soon, and want to receive communion during the wedding or convalidation (which is not a full Mass), so we arrange for first communion the previous Sunday during a regular Mass.
 
puzzleannie said:
it is not the norm, but it could happen if there was a grave reason why it could not wait until Easter or after.
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There are no prohibitions at all on having a FHC during Lent. At least none that I am aware of.

Where did you get the need for there to be a ‘grave reason’?

My daughter had hers a few weeks ago. In our parish, our pastor recognizes that the faithful have a right to the Sacraments unless prohibited by law ( (Canon 912 § 1)

Our pastor takes Canon Law very seriously.
Can. 912 Any baptized person not prohibited by law can and must be admitted to holy communion.
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Can. 913 §1. The administration of the Most Holy Eucharist to children requires that they have sufficient knowledge and careful preparation so that they understand the mystery of Christ according to their capacity and are able to receive the body of Christ with faith and devotion.
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§2. The Most Holy Eucharist, however, can be administered to children in danger of death if they can distinguish the body of Christ from ordinary food and receive communion reverently.
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Can. 914 It is primarily the duty of parents and those who take the place of parents, as well as the duty of pastors, to take care that children who have reached the use of reason are prepared properly and, after they have made sacramental confession, are refreshed with this divine food as soon as possible. It is for the pastor to exercise vigilance so that children who have not attained the use of reason or whom he judges are not sufficiently disposed do not approach holy communion.
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(emphasis mine)

The parents are to be considered the primary educators. They are free to leverage the parish educational programs, but are not obligated to do so. If you elect not to use the parish resources, you have to submit an educational plan for approval by the pastor or deacon. Certain programs, such as St. Josephs\Baltimore Catechism are automatically approved. Just send a note to the deacon telling him you are using that particular program.

Once a child completes the program and wishes to be admitted to the Holy Eucharist, they are quizzed by a person designated by our pastor to ensure they meet the educational requirements and are ‘properly disposed’).

If they pass, and have recently participated in the Sacrament of Reconcilliation, a First Holy Communion is scheduled.

As Canon Law notes, it would be an illicit act on behalf of the pastor and parents to delay Holy Communion for a child who has met the requirements of Canon law.
 
FYI, here is a pic.

My daughter is wearing the dress my wife wore for her FHC, and that in turn was made out of her mother’s wedding dress. 😃

It’s a little big on my daughter, but it’s got a lot of history 🙂
 
Our FSSP parish is holding First Holy Communion on May 8th. Fr. John Berg will be celebrating Mass with us.
 
Brendan said:
FYI, here is a pic.

My daughter is wearing the dress my wife wore for her FHC, and that in turn was made out of her mother’s wedding dress. 😃

It’s a little big on my daughter, but it’s got a lot of history 🙂
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I like this kind of tradition. My mom’s wedding dress was turned into a baptismal gown used for my sister, her two kids, myself and my son.

I guess my wife’s wedding dress could be turned into a manitergium. 😉
 
my grave reason is because of rules in this diocese. The parish first communion celebrations are supposed to be outside lent unless there is a valid pastoral reason.

Parents here are always free to take their children to any Mass for first communion whenever they are properly prepared and worthily disposed, but most families choose to do this outside lent. We simply would like the Mass to be as celebratory as possible for these occasions and since we have no music and the church is not decorated, and the general penitential atmosphere of the readings in Lent, there are other seasons of the year that are simply more conducive to that.
 
puzzleannie said:
my grave reason is because of rules in this diocese. The parish first communion celebrations are supposed to be outside lent unless there is a valid pastoral reason.

Parents here are always free to take their children to any Mass for first communion whenever they are properly prepared and worthily disposed, but most families choose to do this outside lent. We simply would like the Mass to be as celebratory as possible for these occasions and since we have no music and the church is not decorated, and the general penitential atmosphere of the readings in Lent, there are other seasons of the year that are simply more conducive to that.
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I understand, but if the child, or children are ready, there are no grounds to delay it. A preference for a more festive Mass would rank at the very lowest reason for a delay.

My main beef with a lot of parishes is that they try a ‘one size fits all’ approach to First Holy Communion. It doesn’t matter if the teacher recognizes that little Janie ‘gets it’ earlier than the others. To have her wait would still amount to a delay that Canon law states should not happen.

If the child is not barred by law, then he\she MUST be admitted, it’s pretty simple.
 
Brendan said:
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If the child is not barred by law, then he\she MUST be admitted, it’s pretty simple.
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not every place follows this policy, the best we can do is give OP an answer that fits our own circumstances, and suggest as always she simply ASK at her own parish what the policy is, and the reason for it. I don’t think the hostility is called for and quite frankly, at this time of year I don’t appreciate it.
 
puzzleannie said:
not every place follows this policy, the best we can do is give OP an answer that fits our own circumstances, and suggest as always she simply ASK at her own parish what the policy is, and the reason for it. I don’t think the hostility is called for and quite frankly, at this time of year I don’t appreciate it.
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PA, please don’t get me wrong, there is no hostility in me. I’m sorry if I came off that way. :o

I’m kinda in the 'just do what the text says folks ’ kinda guy and that includes Canon Law. So at worst, I was showing a sadness with ‘the system’.

I understand the OP’s question and I hope it’s been answered.
 
My youngest sister and her classmates made their First Communion just before Holy Week. It was so they could take part in all the events/prayers/Masses/services/etc. of the Triduum. The school and the priests thought it was that important even to second graders. So yes, it has happened before. To my knowledge, they still do it this way.
 
Brendan said:
I understand the OP’s question and I hope it’s been answered.
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I don’t understand OP’s question because it was not asked in a way that indicated anyone had been denied first communion at the appropriate time.
 
puzzleannie said:
I don’t understand OP’s question because it was not asked in a way that indicated anyone had been denied first communion at the appropriate time.
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The OP’s question was simply, “can a First Holy Communion be celebrated during Lent.”

And the answer was ‘yes’ with supporting documentation provided from Canon Law.
 
Of all years, this year would give reason to having 1st HC during Lent because of a very late Easter. Our 1st HC’s are always in May.
 
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