First Communion

[chworkman05]

My family and I are converting to the Catholic Church in my wife’s
case coming back. Anywho for the quesion. My sone heard a disscussion on First Communion. My question is when does this take place? Second is it just a one time deal till aftert confermation? He also asked what the “stuff” we eat and drink is. I think I did ok for explaning that it is the body and blood of Christ to a six year old kid, but any other tips for them to grasp would be nice.

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

My family and I are converting to the Catholic Church in my wife’s
case coming back. Anywho for the quesion. My sone heard a disscussion on First Communion. My question is when does this take place? Second is it just a one time deal till aftert confermation? He also asked what the “stuff” we eat and drink is. I think I did ok for explaning that it is the body and blood of Christ to a six year old kid, but any other tips for them to grasp would be nice.

Baptized adults who come into the Church make a profession of faith, are Confirmed and receive their First Communion at the same Mass. (Adults who are not baptized would receive that sacrament first, then the others, at the Easter Vigil.)

I’m not sure what you mean by “is it just a one time deal till after confirmation?” You can receive your First Communion only once, but after that you can receive Communion whenever you go to Mass, assuming you’re prepared to receive.

Children who were baptized as infants usually receive their First Communion around the age of 7.

 

[DianJo]

I assume you are all in RCIA? If that is the case, then things would go like this:
After you complete the program and presumably you understand and agree with teachings of the Catholic faith, then on the Vigil of Easter - Holy Saturday, you will receive your First Communion (praise the Lord and welcome Home!!). From then on every time you attend Mass you will receive Holy Communion, assuming you are not aware of any unconfessed mortal sin. If you do have unconfessed mortal sin, then you should abstain from receiving until you go to Confession.

Confirmation is usually at another time so that the Bishop of your diocese can administer the Sacrament of Confirmation unless he has given permission to your priest to do it on Holy Saturday. The Bishop is the ordinary of Confirmation.

The “stuff” you eat and drink:
The host in wheat bread and the drink is wine until the consecration. Then, it becomes the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Our Lord Jesus Christ. It is not the physicial Jesus but the glorified Jesus - the one who showed Himself to Thomas so that Thomas could put his fingers into Jesus’ wounds.

The Mass is the unbloody sacrifice that took place 2000 years ago at Calvary. It is a re-presentation of that same sacrifice and we are made present at that event each time the host is consecrated. It is the only time that heaven reaches down and touches the earth and the closest we will ever get to heaven while still on this earth! How fantastic!

I would suggest that you get a copy of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Maybe your RCIA team can get one for you. If not, the pocket size version can be bought for about $8.00 on the internet. The catechsim will explain alot of “stuff” so you may understand it better.

Another real good book to get about the Mass is by Scott Hahn. It’s called the Lambs Supper. It is an excellent explanation of the Mass told in easy to understand terms. He tells how as a protestant he went to his first Mass and was astounded by it and sort of explains it from a protestant point of view so it’s real clear!

Lord Have Mercy (on confession) and Mary Queen of Heaven are also excellent books by Dr. Hahn that I would recommend to better understand the Sacrament of Reconciliation and our devotion to Mary.

Good Luck and Welcome Home!

 

[chworkman05]

First off thanks for the sources and the (name removed by moderator)ut. Yes I do own a copy of the Catholic Catechism.

First question: When a child recieves First Communion do they do it just once and wait till after confirmation to partake again?

Second: My wife was baptised Catholic and Confermed Catholic. Had left the Catholic Church and became a Lutheran. Now is come back to the Catholic Church. Should she or should she not partake in the Eucharist. (She is going to the RCIA reguardless.)

Third: I was baptized a Catholic but never confirmed Catholic. What would be the status for myself.

Sorry still confused

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

First question: When a child recieves First Communion do they do it just once and wait till after confirmation to partake again?

No…they can receive communion every time they go to Mass as long as they’re prepared by being in a state of grace (having no unconfessed mortal sins) and having fasted for at least an hour.

Second: My wife was baptised Catholic and Confermed Catholic. Had left the Catholic Church and became a Lutheran. Now is come back to the Catholic Church. Should she or should she not partake in the Eucharist. (She is going to the RCIA reguardless.)

Your wife isn’t required to go through RCIA though she may if she wishes. All she needs to do is make a good confession.

Third: I was baptized a Catholic but never confirmed Catholic. What would be the status for myself.

Did you receive your First Communion? If so, you need to go to confession and then you can start receiving communion. You should also check with your parish to see how you can go about preparing for Confirmation. In some parishes they will have you attend RCIA, in others they will have adult confirmation classes that are separate from RCIA.

If you never received your First Communion then you would go through RCIA to prepare for both sacraments.

 

[Debra_C]

Welcome home!

The only requirements for Communion are that you are baptized, Catholic, and in a state of grace (i.e. NOT in a state of mortal sin). As long as there is not a problem requiring your marriage to be regularized in the Church or something similar, you should be able to go to Confession and receive Communion. You do not have to be confirmed. Since you and your wife were both baptized Catholic, the Catholic Church sees you as Catholic. If you have married outside the Church as baptized Catholics, you may need to wait before receiving Communion until your marriage is blessed by the Church, even if neither of you were previously married. This is a qestion for your priest.

For your son, he will need to wait until he has reached the age of reason (which is generally accepted as being about 7 for most kids) and has received age appropriate catechsm on the meaning of the sacrament before receiving First Communion. First Communion preparation involves Frist Reconciliation (Confession) as well. Once he has received First Communion, he can continue to take Communion regularly so long as he confesses any mortal sins first. Of course, it is good practice to go to Confession regularly even if you are not in mortal sin.