First Communion in Ukrainian Catholic Church

[Peter_Mogila]

I was doing some searching for information on the new UGCC Catechism and found the webpage of the UGCC Archeparchy of Kyiv. Using a machine translation, I came across this page:

kyiv.ugcc.org.ua/ua/news.html?news_id=436

If I’m reading this correctly, it appears to be relating about the First Communion of some Ukrainian Catholic children within the Archeparchy.

Is this still the norm? Have some Ukrainian Catholic eparchies restored infant communion or is later First Communion (like the Latin Church) still the norm in many places?

Peter

 

[ciero]

I was doing some searching for information on the new UGCC Catechism and found the webpage of the UGCC Archeparchy of Kyiv. Using a machine translation, I came across this page:

kyiv.ugcc.org.ua/ua/news.html?news_id=436

If I’m reading this correctly, it appears to be relating about the First Communion of some Ukrainian Catholic children within the Archeparchy.

Is this still the norm? Have some Ukrainian Catholic eparchies restored infant communion or is later First Communion (like the Latin Church) still the norm in many places?

Peter

Unfortunately I have seen this in the Ukrainian Orthodox church as well…it’s not just a Catholic thing.

 

[Vico]

This has been done in many eastern parishes, even though the children have been receiving Holy Eucharist since they were infants. They give their first Confession and then Holy Eucharist. Before the age of discretion (distinguish between right and wrong) one is sinless, but with discretion may be capable of sin.

There was a time when infant communion was not the norm due to the influence of the Latin Church practice.

 

[Peter_Mogila]

Ciero,

Which Ukrainian Orthodox Church did you see it in? I know ACROD (the American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese), formerly Ruthenian Byzantine Catholic, used to have First Communions also. I don’t know if they delayed the initial reception of the Eucharist from Baptism/Chrismation or if they gave it once to the infant then and then did not until later until a First Communion. I believe that’s now changed in ACROD.

Peter

 

[Peter_Mogila]

There was a time when infant communion was not the norm due to the influence of the Latin Church practice.

I found that the US Ukrainian Catholic Churches started restoring infant communion in 1998. See (towards bottom of article):

catholicexchange.com/2010/10/10/137345/

Has this happened in Ukraine too?

Peter

 

[Vico]

I found that the US Ukrainian Catholic Churches started restoring infant communion in 1998. See (towards bottom of article):

catholicexchange.com/2010/10/10/137345/

Has this happened in Ukraine too?

Peter

I don’t know if infant communion is in* every* place there in the Ukraine. Notice that the children in the photo from the Ukraine shows many ages of children (based upon size).

The Melkites have practiced infant communion in the USA since Archbishop Joseph (1969). Some of the other eastern Catholic churches have either not adopted it yet, or adopted is at a later date. The canons state that it should be given, according to the norms of each Church sui iuris. (Some have chosen to begin at the age of discretion.)

CCEO Canon 697
Sacramental initiation in the mystery of salvation is perfected in the reception of the Divine Eucharist, and thus the Divine Eucharist is administered after baptism and chrismation with holy myron as soon as possible according to the norms of the particular law of the each Church sui iuris.

CCEO Canon 710
With respect to the participation of infants in the Divine Eucharist after baptism and chrismation with holy myron, the prescriptions of the liturgical books of each Church sui iuris are to be observed with the suitable due precautions.

 

[Peter_Mogila]

Thanks, Vico, for the clarification about Ukraine. I’m guessing, then, that the restoration of infant communion is a work in progress.

I was pleased to read in a link from the article cited above from Catholic Exchange that Eastern Catholics have been encouraged to return to infant communion by Rome.

See:

vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/orientchurch/Istruzione/pdf/istruzione_inglese.pdf

Also here:

byzcath.org/faith/documents/instruction.htm#51

Section 51:

Can. 697 of the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches prescribe that the Eucharist be administered as soon as possible after the Baptism and Chrismation with holy Myron, according to the norms of the Church . Can. 710 resumes the subject of participation of baptized infants in the Eucharist and exhorts that the prescriptions of the liturgical books of the Church be observed in its administration. This legislation, specific to the Eastern Churches, necessitates some clarification.

For reasons already seen, the norms regarding the Communion to neophytes are not found in the legislation of some Eastern Catholic Churches, which have often postponed the first Communion to the school age. Therefore, it will be the task of the competent authorities to adopt measures suitable for returning to the previous practice and to elaborate norms that are more conforming to their own Tradition. As for the prescriptions contained in the liturgical books to the same regard, it should be noted that, in the majority of the cases, whether of these or the Churches which preserve the ancient uses, they do not provide sufficient indications, considering that the Ritual of Baptism in general was conceived for adults and subsequently used for children, without introducing any specific modification in the Eastern Churches. The subject is usually addressed in the pastoral manuals for the sacraments. Some practical suggestions could be obtained from the practices of the Orthodox Churches.

Finally, the administration of the Divine Eucharist to infant neophytes is not limited to only the moment of the celebration of Initiation. Eucharist is the Bread of life, and infants need to be nourished constantly, from then on, to grow spiritually. The method of their participation in the Eucharist corresponds to their capacity: they will initially be different from the adults, inevitably less aware and not very rational, but they will progressively develop, through the grace and pedagogy of the sacrament, to grow until “mature manhood to the extent of the full stature of Christ” (cf. Eph. 4:13). The sacrament is always a gift which operates efficiently, in different ways just as every person is different. Special celebrations which correspond to the various steps of human growth can possibly be of some use for the pedagogy of the faith and to accompany specifically the indispensable catechesis of children and young people, but it must be clear that the initiation into the Mystery of Christ is totally complete upon receiving the first three sacraments.

That helps to make up for the earlier encouragement to adopt the Latin practice.

Peter

 

[ConstantineTG]

Communion is given to infants. There is just a celebration for “First Solemn Communion”. I heard its a Ukrainian thing. Hey, every Byzantine Rite Church has their own cultural traditions added to the traditions of the faith. What’s wrong with that? Its like a coming of age thing.

 

[Peter_Mogila]

Just doing a cursory check on the Internet and it appears there isn’t a uniform practice yet in the Ukrainian Catholic Church on this. See:

ststephenchurch.us/2011-fhc.html

and this 2009 discussion at another board:

byzcath.org/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/337370/1

In the above discussion, it’s noted that not all eparchies have restored infant communion – notably in Australia and in parts of Canada.

Now, some parishes have introduced the "First Holy Confession and Solemn Holy Communion, as this one in New York (which apparently functions as a replacement for “First Holy Communion”).

stmich.com/

So, based on this I’m guessing that there isn’t uniformity in Ukraine either. Thanks for the interaction in helping me to understand how this restoration of infant communion is progressing in the UGCC.

Peter

 

[ciero]

Communion is given to infants. There is just a celebration for “First Solemn Communion”. I heard its a Ukrainian thing. Hey, every Byzantine Rite Church has their own cultural traditions added to the traditions of the faith. What’s wrong with that? Its like a coming of age thing.

Maybe we should wait to administer Chrismation too…it’s a coming of age thing!

More like a Latinization if you ask me!

 

[ConstantineTG]

Maybe we should wait to administer Chrismation too…it’s a coming of age thing!

More like a Latinization if you ask me!

If the Ukrainian Orthodox do it as much as the Ukrainian Catholics, how much of a Latinization is it? If its their culture that determined it, then so be it. Its their cultural expression of the Byzantine Rite. Its not as if other Churches following the Byzantine Rite do not have their own variations in tradition.

 

[Vico]

The theology in the eastern churches is different than the Latin in respect to the sacraments of Chrismation and Holy Eucharist. The Instruction clarifies that it should restore the previous practice:

**51. Communion to the neophytes **

Can. 697 of the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches prescribe that the Eucharist be administered as soon as possible after the Baptism and Chrismation with holy Myron, according to the norms of the Church . Can. 710 resumes the subject of participation of baptized infants in the Eucharist and exhorts that the prescriptions of the liturgical books of the Church be observed in its administration. This legislation, specific to the Eastern Churches, necessitates some clarification.

For reasons already seen, the norms regarding the Communion to neophytes are not found in the legislation of some Eastern Catholic Churches, which have often postponed the first Communion to the school age. Therefore, it will be the task of the competent authorities to adopt measures suitable for returning to the previous practice and to elaborate norms that are more conforming to their own Tradition. As for the prescriptions contained in the liturgical books to the same regard, it should be noted that, in the majority of the cases, whether of these or the Churches which preserve the ancient uses, they do not provide sufficient indications, considering that the Ritual of Baptism in general was conceived for adults and subsequently used for children, without introducing any specific modification in the Eastern Churches. The subject is usually addressed in the pastoral manuals for the sacraments. Some practical suggestions could be obtained from the practices of the Orthodox Churches.

Finally, the administration of the Divine Eucharist to infant neophytes is not limited to only the moment of the celebration of Initiation. Eucharist is the Bread of life, and infants need to be nourished constantly, from then on, to grow spiritually. The method of their participation in the Eucharist corresponds to their capacity: they will initially be different from the adults, inevitably less aware and not very rational, but they will progressively develop, through the grace and pedagogy of the sacrament, to grow until “mature manhood to the extent of the full stature of Christ” (cf. Eph. 4:13). The sacrament is always a gift which operates efficiently, in different ways just as every person is different. Special celebrations which correspond to the various steps of human growth can possibly be of some use for the pedagogy of the faith and to accompany specifically the indispensable catechesis of children and young people, but it must be clear that the initiation into the Mystery of Christ is totally complete upon receiving the first three sacraments.

byzcath.org/faith/documents/instruction.htm

 

[ciero]

If the Ukrainian Orthodox do it as much as the Ukrainian Catholics, how much of a Latinization is it? If its their culture that determined it, then so be it. Its their cultural expression of the Byzantine Rite. Its not as if other Churches following the Byzantine Rite do not have their own variations in tradition.

Much of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church has been Latinized…and most will tell you so. I have seen Orthodox Churches in Ukraine with statues, rosaries and stations of the cross.

 

[MaMo]

The video we watched at church to prepare for our son’s baptism pushed that infants and children are fully initiated and receive the Eucharist and also pushed First Solemn Confessions with white veils and dresses as a replacement for the big First Communion parties of the past.

 

[ConstantineTG]

Just note that the First Solemn Communion does not replace the Communion received during baptism. Also a child may receive all the time from baptism until First Solemn Communion. Its just a ceremony to mark a child coming to the “age of reason”. It usually comes on the tail end of a catechism program for the child. That is why its called “solemn” because he now understands who he/she is receiving and what happens there.

 

[Halyna]

I looked at the site you entered in your post however my Ukrainian is not what it used to be. However I am assuming this has to do with children receiving communion prior to what used to be for me my 1st Holy Communion.

As a matter of fact just today after going to church I watched a live stream Byzantine Catholic Mass on Ustream (www.ustream.tv/channel/holy-ghost-church). and there 2 babes in arms were given communion.

I am in full RESPECT of the presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. And I believe we should not receive Him in the state of sin. I am assuming these babies were baptized and without the stain of original sin. My question is when does the child’s mind know what is a sin and what is not. To be a sin, we have to know 1) it is a sin, 2) we want to do it and 3) knowing it is a sin, we do it anyway. So, does the child know about sins? Did the child commit any sins? Then too, who are we to judge?

I personally think (and I did this) was to teach my children at a **young age **what is a sin, when they disobey, when they sneak & hide something, when they told a lie about their sibling…I did not depend on Sunday School or grade school teachers to teach my children.

Then, too, I wanted my children to know, understand and respect the Holy Eucharist. I wanted my children to know that their first holy communion was a big DEAL, AN IMPORTANT THING, for the rest of their lives. And I don’t think they would know this unless they were taught this and truly understood.

I’m sorry but I truly believe children need to be taught the magnitude or what they are receiving and be prepared and know what they are receiving.

To put it another way…way off track…being Ukrainian I was taught to drink vodka at a young age.( it WAS used or medicinal purposes and warmth being we had only a coal furnace) When I turned 21 my sister took me out to celebrate my coming of age. After dinner and fun I thought to myself: Is this all there is to being 21 = no big deal.

I did not want my children to think ‘no big deal’ when they received Our Lord with reason and understanding.

 

[Vico]

I looked at the site you entered in your post however my Ukrainian is not what it used to be. However I am assuming this has to do with children receiving communion prior to what used to be for me my 1st Holy Communion.

As a matter of fact just today after going to church I watched a live stream Byzantine Catholic Mass on Ustream (www.ustream.tv/channel/holy-ghost-church). and there 2 babes in arms were given communion.

I am in full RESPECT of the presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. And I believe we should not receive Him in the state of sin. I am assuming these babies were baptized and without the stain of original sin. My question is when does the child’s mind know what is a sin and what is not. To be a sin, we have to know 1) it is a sin, 2) we want to do it and 3) knowing it is a sin, we do it anyway. So, does the child know about sins? Did the child commit any sins? Then too, who are we to judge?

I personally think (and I did this) was to teach my children at a **young age **what is a sin, when they disobey, when they sneak & hide something, when they told a lie about their sibling…I did not depend on Sunday School or grade school teachers to teach my children.

Then, too, I wanted my children to know, understand and respect the Holy Eucharist. I wanted my children to know that their first holy communion was a big DEAL, AN IMPORTANT THING, for the rest of their lives. And I don’t think they would know this unless they were taught this and truly understood.

I’m sorry but I truly believe children need to be taught the magnitude or what they are receiving and be prepared and know what they are receiving.

To put it another way…way off track…being Ukrainian I was taught to drink vodka at a young age.( it WAS used or medicinal purposes and warmth being we had only a coal furnace) When I turned 21 my sister took me out to celebrate my coming of age. After dinner and fun I thought to myself: Is this all there is to being 21 = no big deal.

I did not want my children to think ‘no big deal’ when they received Our Lord with reason and understanding.

The ancient order of the Holy Mysteries of Christian Initiation is: baptism, chrismation, eucharist, for adult or infant. Christian initiation was originally given by a bishop all at one time. The east later allowed the priest to administer chrismation and the west did not (until very recent times).

The difference in the east and west in praxis of the Holy Mysteries became that the west emphasizes the connection of the faithful with the bishop and limited reception of Holy Chrismation and Holy Eucharist at the age of reason, whereas the east emphasized nuturing with the Holy Spirit through the Holy Mysteries, from infancy. In both east and west the catechism is learned. The east, therefore, emphasizes faith and the west understanding at the moment of first Holy Chrismation and Holy Eucharist. So Holy Eucharist from infancy is best in keeping with the traditions of the eastern churches, yet both traditions are valid.

Also, interesting, only the Coptic Church keeps the tradition anymore of milk and honey at the first communion, as was done in ancient times.