First Communion/Eucharist question

[followingtheway]

Hi, my little cousin is having first communion classes Since I’m one of the youngest members on the family. He looks up to me, him being younger than me. But I’m also a very devout Catholic for my age so I need to ask question.

My family wants me, him, and his sister to practice the whole first communion ceremony. I’m the Priest (go figure ), for the wine we’re using grape juice or cranberry juice (since it tastes like the wine) and pouring it in to a wine glass. But here’s my question.

I know a Protestant store that sell communion wafers (somewhat like this). Should we use those? Or will that be a mortal sin? Isn’t not during a service, so wouldn’t really be “taking part in their communion”. But should we? If not I’ll find something else.

 

[Mrs_Sally]

Does the preparation program have any kind of practice session? The program here includes a session or two on receiving communion and the kids practice with unconsecrated hosts, similar to your link.

If the wafers/hosts are not consecrated, than they are just bread and there is no immorality in using them in a practice.

However, unless your cousin has some kindof sensitivity issue, he shouldn’t need more practice than what they ordinarily do in his class. There is no point in your ordering hosts for a home practice (and then having hundreds to dispose of) if he’s going to practice with the DRE at church.

 

[followingtheway]

However, unless your cousin has some kindof sensitivity issue, he shouldn’t need more practice than what they ordinarily do in his class.

There lies the problem, he’s terribly shy. :sad_yes:

 

[Mrs_Sally]

There lies the problem, he’s terribly shy. :sad_yes:

Being shy and having a problem with certain types of foods or with swallowing are two different things. I was thinking more of a child who might have a strong gag reflex who would need to practice swallowing the dry host and bitter-tasting wine without gagging, choking, or making a nasty face.

A shy child will probably get more out of a talk about how everyone won’t be watching him and the practice where they walk through were to stand, how to approach the altar etc, than actually practicing with unconsecrtaerd hosts.

 

[ConstantineTG]

Being shy and having a problem with certain types of foods or with swallowing are two different things. I was thinking more of a child who might have a strong gag reflex who would need to practice swallowing the dry host and bitter-tasting wine without gagging, choking, or making a nasty face.

A shy child will probably get more out of a talk about how everyone won’t be watching him and the practice where they walk through were to stand, how to approach the altar etc, than actually practicing with unconsecrtaerd hosts.

Practice doing it would help because the child will be at least confident of what to do. The worst part about lack of confidence is the anxiety about what you are doing to go with being conscious about what other people are thinking. The practice would at least help the part with the things the child must do, so thats half the battle won.

 

[marytk]

Practice doing it would help because the child will be at least confident of what to do. The worst part about lack of confidence is the anxiety about what you are doing to go with being conscious about what other people are thinking. The practice would at least help the part with the things the child must do, so thats half the battle won.

I agree with the above.I don’t think it HAS to be a host to practice. You can practice the bow and “AMEN” with a small cracker.

 

[TimothyH]

Why not use Nilla wafers, Chex cereal or Nabisco Cheese Nips or something like that?

The host will be bland compared to these, and just as dry.

-Tim-

 

[puzzleannie]

Hi, My family wants me, him, and his sister to practice the whole first communion ceremony. .

I don’t understand the question
this should be happening during your first communion class sometime.

you don’t have to purchase anything, use a cracker or anything similar, and wine or any juice that is tart like cranberry

I ask the parents to please allow their children to taste actual wine and take it from a wineglass so they get used to the taste and the act of drinking from a cup with a stem.

 

[Catholic90]

When my boys had First Communion years ago, they practiced during class with real unconsecrated bread and they could also get a sip of wine if they wanted to see what it tasted like before the actual First communion.

 

[domandcarols]

Necco wafers!

 

[Tarpeian_Rock]

Is it common for First Communion to be distributed under both Species? Given the age of the kids, that just seemed unusual to me. But on the other hand, our parish only makes the Cup available on Holy Thursday.

 

[keepingfaith4]

over the years i have always had the kids practice with unconsecrated hosts(eliminates the yuk face at the altar during a joyous occasion

most of my parishes avoided bread and wine (yuk and spill factors here)-----but if yours has it try souffle cups of grape juice and bland oat bread for practice

 

[Indiana_Jones]

Necco wafers!

 

[ConstantineTG]

I agree with the above.I don’t think it HAS to be a host to practice. You can practice the bow and “AMEN” with a small cracker.

You can buy the bread from Catholic bookstores if one likes. Otherwise, any round crackers will help. I still remember my First Communion where there is this popular sweet cookies that is made round and small, about the same size of the Host. We used that for practice in class (I went to a Catholic school).

 

[ConstantineTG]

Is it common for First Communion to be distributed under both Species? Given the age of the kids, that just seemed unusual to me. But on the other hand, our parish only makes the Cup available on Holy Thursday.

I think its highly recommended that it is. But I think its better if the priest intincts the Host instead of having kids receive each species separately.

 

[Kennywood]

FWIW:

Our parish has a day right before the First Communions to practice receiving the sacrament. The children do everything (stand, hands, etc.) just the way they are being asked to on the big day.

When they get to the altar, the person holds an unconsecrated wafer and says “This is NOT the body of Christ.” The child is still expected to say “Amen” (because it’s about practicing). And then they go to the wine and do the same thing.

They do NOT want the children to taste these things for the first time that day- because they want them to get over any faces they’re going to make, etc. as they adjust to the taste. One of our friends did have texture issues. The DRE sent his mother home with a packet of unconsecrated hosts and instruction to practice the same way.

He did. He gagged every time until that day at Church. The DRE told our pastor and he gave him only a small piece to consume at his First Communion.

 

[followingtheway]

These all great answers. But my question is that I’m thinking about using communion wafer that they sell at this Protestant store. Would using those wafers be taking part in another communion and sin?

 

[domandcarols]

These all great answers. But my question is that I’m thinking about using communion wafer that they sell at this Protestant store. Would using those wafers be taking part in another communion and sin?

I don’t think so. I would ask a priest first though.

 

[Brendan]

For our kids, we just asked Fr. for some unconsecrated wafers. He would give us a small stack of a dozen or so.

We used those for practice. We used regular wine for practice as well, so the kids were familiar with the exact accidental properties to expect.

 

[Mrs_Sally]

These all great answers. But my question is that I’m thinking about using communion wafer that they sell at this Protestant store. Would using those wafers be taking part in another communion and sin?

No because the wafers aren’t sold as “blessed” or “consecrated”. Just like unconsecrated hosts from a Catholic source, they are simply dry crackers at this point. In fact, the protestant store may sell exactly the same hosts a Catholic store sells. There aren’t too many large commercial manufactures of communion hosts.