I was asked together with my wife to be sponsors at the first communion of my niece’s daughter. It was complete chaos because the whole family, and sponsors went up at the same time. My niece’s husband is not Catholic but he went up there anyway. He didn’t receive communion, but I could not help overhearing others that were debating whether to receive communion or not. Some did and some apparently didn’t know what they were to do with the host. They just held it there looking around and finally consumed it. There were about 200 kids receiving first communion. They were receiving communion from the priest and deacons. Some went this way; some went that way, the “teachers” talking real loud telling the children to “hold your hand out”. Seems like the children were not properly trained to go up there reverently and given the option of receiving communion on the tongue or in the hand. The children had no idea what they were doing. None were told that they had to do some sign of reverence before receiving Our Lord. First communion should be a very, very personal encounter with Jesus. It should be the child and Jesus and not turned into a hoe down. Personally I feel that the children should all sit together, go up and receive from the priest if at all possible, rather than with mother, father, sis, Jr, aunt, grandma, grandma, sponsors and whoever else. If there is a large gathering then the deacons may assist. Remember, the use of EMHC is restricted. So I firmly believe that it should only be the priest. The EMHC’s —if needed— should assist in distributing to the congregation. But please, it should be very special for the child. These liturgist and religion teachers try to come up with all sorts of modern day innovations. Keep it simple and reverent. My niece said that when its time for her son to make his first communion she will request it be private rather than the circus they had for her daughter.
