First Communion

[expectthebest]

Can First Communion only take place on Easter or can it take place any time the child is ready?

 

[Corki]

It doesn’t have to be on Easter unless the child is also being received into the Church then. In our diocese the preference if for it to be one of the Sundays during the Easter season (up to Pentecost).

 

[GregorysArmy]

It usually isn’t done on Easter where I’m from. We have a special mass for the 50+ kids after 2 years of preparation, usually in April.

 

[DavidFilmer]

There’s no rule in Canon Law. Of course, a Bishop is always free to impose a rule in his own Diocese (though this is rare).

The Easter season is usually preferred because it has a nice symbolism that goes along with the Sacrament.

Most kids receive First Communion along with other kids as part of an organized program. Unless there was some legitimate circumstance (such as a serious illness) there should be no reason why a child would receive earlier than the rest of his First Holy Communion class, even if he is more advanced in his education and formation than the rest of his class.

 

[eamonnroma]

Why do we give children Holy Communion before Confirmation?

The sacraments of Christian Initiation are surely Baptism, Confirmation and Communion, in that order.

 

[DavidFilmer]

Why do we give children Holy Communion before Confirmation?

The sacraments of Christian Initiation are surely Baptism, Confirmation and Communion, in that order.

Those are, indeed, the Sacraments of Initiation, and one could argue that the order you specify is appropriate, But I don’t think anyone could argue that the order you specify is somehow necessary.

Unless I am misinformed, the Orthodox give infants Eucharist (in a slurry of the Body and Blood, administered by a small spoon) to infants when they are Baptized.

God works through the Sacraments, but is not bound (limited) by them.

 

[1ke]

Unless I am misinformed, the Orthodox give infants Eucharist (in a slurry of the Body and Blood, administered by a small spoon) to infants when they are Baptized.

Yes, after that same infant is already confirmed. The Eastern Catholics and Orthodox initiate infants fully all at one time.

 

[1ke]

Why do we give children Holy Communion before Confirmation?

The sacraments of Christian Initiation are surely Baptism, Confirmation and Communion, in that order.

I recommend starting a thread on this topic. It is off-topic from the OP’s question.

 

[1ke]

Can First Communion only take place on Easter or can it take place any time the child is ready?

What is the situation in which this question is arising? You are a little vague on specifics. Without much information, answers are going to be widely varied and may not actually be helpful to the situation at hand.

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

Can First Communion only take place on Easter or can it take place any time the child is ready?

Is this a child who is receiving all the sacraments of initiation through RCIA? If so, the Easter Vigil is the normal time for baptisms and the other sacraments of initiation, confirmation and communion, immediately follow.

Is this a child being received into the Church through RCIA? If so, it is not required that it happen at the Easter Vigil though many parishes receive candidates at that time. The candidates are confirmed and receive communion at the same Mass.

Or is this a child who was baptized as a baby and is now around 7 years old? If so, I think Easter would be a highly unusual time to schedule a first communion though I suppose it’s not impossible.

 

[DavidFilmer]

Is this a child who is receiving all the sacraments of initiation through RCIA?

The RCIA program is designed for adults (that’s what the “A” stands for). When an RCIA candidate is received, s/he receives Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist at one time.

In the Latin Rite, infants are Baptized. Children (around 8 years old) attend “First Holy Communion” classes, which are rather brief. Older children (early teens) preparing for Confirmation attend CCD classes, which go into more detail about the Faith.

If so, the Easter Vigil is the normal time for baptisms and the other sacraments of initiation, confirmation and communion, immediately follow.

Baptisms for children are scheduled more frequently (usually monthly). Baptism is THE right of Christian initiation (you cannot receive Eucharist or Confirmation without it), and anyone who is Baptized but dies before attaining the age of reason is assured salvation/ The fate of unbaptized babies who die is unknown - thus the greater urgency and frequency.

It is not necessary to receive all three Sacraments of Initiation. Only Baptism is necessary. We can be assured salvation apart from Eucharist and Confirmation even in the face of mortal sin, provided we avail ourselves of Sacramental Confession (which is available to all Baptized Catholics). Ideally, every Catholic should receive Eucharist and Confirmation (and this is the expected normal practice), but neither are necessary for salvation.

Baptism for adults (RCIA - people who have attained the age of reason) usually happens during the Easter season. Should an RCIA candidate die before Baptism (which might be as long as two years away) the Church teaches that the Grace of water Baptism is imparted to him/her - this is called Baptism of Desire. This Grace can only apply to someone who is capable of forming informed, freewill desire (which is made evident by the person’s participation in RCIA).

Or is this a child who was baptized as a baby and is now around 7 years old? If so, I think Easter would be a highly unusual time to schedule a first communion though I suppose it’s not impossible.

Easter is the season in which the Church commemorates Our Lord’s resurrection, which enables our salvation. I cannot think of why it would be, in any way, unusual to celebrate the Sacraments of Initiation during the Easter season. It seems perfectly logical and preferable to me.

 

[1ke]

David, I think you misunderstood the OP’s question. He didn’t say “during the Easter season”. He said “on” Easter.

So, yes, it would be unusual for an already baptized Catholic child to receive First Communion ON Easter.

 

[G_S]

The unasked question in this post is that of First Communion during Lent. Normally, First Communion – not to mention baptisms, confirmations, ordinations, and weddings – are not celebrated during Lent. We recently had a baptism of an infant at Mass but it was only because the mother has a medical condition that could result in her sudden death at any moment.

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

The RCIA program is designed for adults (that’s what the “A” stands for). When an RCIA candidate is received, s/he receives Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist at one time.

For baptismal purposes the Church divides people into two groups: infants and adults. Infants are those under the age of reason, about 7 years old. Adults are those 7 and up. There are adaptations of RCIA for children of catechetical age (RCIA 252ff).

Since the OP was asking about receiving first communion on Easter (or, as I interpreted it, perhaps she meant at the Easter Vigil), it would make sense that one option she meant was for someone in RCIA.

Thanks for explaining to this RCIA director how the Church baptizes people.

 

[Brendan]

The unasked question in this post is that of First Communion during Lent. Normally, First Communion – not to mention baptisms, confirmations, ordinations, and weddings – are not celebrated during Lent. We recently had a baptism of an infant at Mass but it was only because the mother has a medical condition that could result in her sudden death at any moment.

Baptisms are to be done within the first few weeks after birth, Lent has no bearing on that, nor should it. The Church has NEVER taught that Baptisms should be postponed until Easter. Nor is it a norm of the Church to do so.

A Penitential season, by definition, should not prevent the removal of Original Sin.

 

[G_S]

Baptisms are to be done within the first few weeks after birth, Lent has no bearing on that, nor should it. The Church has NEVER taught that Baptisms should be postponed until Easter. Nor is it a norm of the Church to do so.

A Penitential season, by definition, should not prevent the removal of Original Sin.

Lent does have an effect in so far as, since it is only six weeks long, any baby in good health born a few weeks before Easter could easily have the baptism done in the Easter season. Canon law does state that baptisms are best done at the Vigil and also states that they should be a few weeks after birth. Sunday (a little Easter) is the proper day for baptisms but, when baptisms are done during Lent, they are less likely to be done at Mass but done on Sunday afternoon with less solemnity. Note as well that baptism may be delayed, without prejudice to canons that require it in danger of death, if there is not a founded hope of the child being brought up in the faith.

“Can. 856 Although baptism can be celebrated on any day, it is nevertheless recommended that it be celebrated ordinarily on Sunday or, if possible, at the Easter Vigil.”

"Can. 867 §1. Parents are obliged to take care that infants are baptized in the first few weeks; as soon as possible after the birth or even before it, they are to go to the pastor to request the sacrament for their child and to be prepared properly for it. "

"Can. 868 §1. For an infant to be baptized licitly:

1/ the parents or at least one of them or the person who legitimately takes their place must consent;

2/ there must be a founded hope that the infant will be brought up in the Catholic religion; if such hope is altogether lacking, the baptism is to be delayed according to the prescripts of particular law after the parents have been advised about the reason."

 

[tafan]

Why do we give children Holy Communion before Confirmation?

The sacraments of Christian Initiation are surely Baptism, Confirmation and Communion, in that order.

Because people doubt the efficacy of the Sacrament of Confirmation. Hence, due to the fear that our children will abandon their faith between second grade and their teenage years, it must be delayed until high school.

It is readily obvious to the most casual observer that this system has been a great success.

 

[tafan]

Oh, and I forgot to add: if we wait until the teenage years for confirmation, and we structure the requirements correctly (eg lots of service hours, etch), we will instill in people the idea that the sacrament is a right of passage to adulthood. Obviously, we cannot say this, but that does not matter, people just have to have the perception. That way, if anyone ever comes along and tries to move the sacrament to before the first communion, other parents will complain about not have the ritual for kids at an older age.

 

[Brendan]

Lent does have an effect in so far as, since it is only six weeks long, any baby in good health born a few weeks before Easter could easily have the baptism done in the Easter season. Canon law does state that baptisms are best done at the Vigil and also states that they should be a few weeks after birth. Sunday (a little Easter) is the proper day for baptisms but, when baptisms are done during Lent, they are less likely to be done at Mass but done on Sunday afternoon with less solemnity. Note as well that baptism may be delayed, without prejudice to canons that require it in danger of death, if there is not a founded hope of the child being brought up in the faith.

“Can. 856 Although baptism can be celebrated on any day, it is nevertheless recommended that it be celebrated ordinarily on Sunday or, if possible, at the Easter Vigil.”

"

Actually, it does say that it is preferred that a Baptism be done on the Vigil, but as an alternative to being done on a Sunday.

There is no Canonical reason why a baby born on Ash Wed could not, or should not be Baptized on the following Sunday, or even the next one.

And it has never been normative, as you claim, to wait.