First Holy Communion

[bhaas22]

A non-catholic christian friend asked me about the Catholic church giving first holy communion based on age more than the individual have “trust in God,” from the standpoint of disagreeing with that practice.

In looking for support of my answer for him, I think that the answer will probably have to go to the other sacraments, specifically Baptism having brought the individual into the family covenant of God and given him/her the grace of the Holy Spirit, and then once the individual reaches age of reason, First Holy Communion is given.

Any thoughts or comments? Or, any references would be helpful for me to answer this question appropriately? Thanks…

 

[buffalo]

A non-catholic christian friend asked me about the Catholic church giving first holy communion based on age more than the individual have “trust in God,” from the standpoint of disagreeing with that practice.

In looking for support of my answer for him, I think that the answer will probably have to go to the other sacraments, specifically Baptism having brought the individual into the family covenant of God and given him/her the grace of the Holy Spirit, and then once the individual reaches age of reason, First Holy Communion is given.

Any thoughts or comments? Or, any references would be helpful for me to answer this question appropriately? Thanks…

It is based on the approx age that a child attains reason.

 

[jmcrae]

When the child is able to distinguish between the Eucharist and ordinary bread, he or she is ready to attend preparation classes for First Holy Communion. This typically happens at age seven, but has been known to happen earlier, or later.

I had a variety of ages in my recent First Holy Communion class, ranging from age 5 to age 11.

 

[bpbasilphx]

At the local Melkite Catholic parish today, 4 children (ages infant thorugh 5) were baptized and confirmed and brought to Communion, as they will be henceforth.

To say we have to “understand” for God to work in our lives is gnosticism.

 

[John_Lilburne]

Code of Canon Law, from vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/_INDEX.HTM :

“Can. 914 It is primarily the duty of parents and those who take the place of parents, as well as the duty of pastors, to take care that children who have reached the use of reason are prepared properly and, after they have made sacramental confession, are refreshed with this divine food as soon as possible. It is for the pastor to exercise vigilance so that children who have not attained the use of reason or whom he judges are not sufficiently disposed do not approach holy communion.”