It is okay forFirst Holy Communion candidates to surround the altar during the LIturgy of the Eucharist?

[CAROLOFTHEBELLS]

At Sunday Mass at my parish there were about 10 or 12 boys and girls receiving First Holy Communion. At the beginning of the Liturgy of the Eucharist they came up and stood behind the altar, some in back of the priest. They were dispersed back to their seats before the consecration. And then at that time the EM’s came up around the back of the altar. This doesn’t seem right to me. The way everything was done was not too organized either, because the front rows were not reserved for the boys and girls, who were supposed to receive communion first.

Also, during communion cameras were flashing even though Father asked that not be done.

Just an added comment. This has probably been said many times. (I’m pretty new here.) What is with all the applause at the end of masses in some parishes?! I have only been going to this parish about 2 years. Sometimes this happens and sometimes not. It feels like the end of a play when every one is asked to take a bow! Makes me feel like yelling out, “And let’s have a big round of applause for the One who we are doing this all for!” What really gets me is when the priest says, “And give yourself applause for coming here today.”

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

At Sunday Mass at my parish there were about 10 or 12 boys and girls receiving First Holy Communion. At the beginning of the Liturgy of the Eucharist they came up and stood behind the altar, some in back of the priest. They were dispersed back to their seats before the consecration. And then at that time the EM’s came up around the back of the altar. This doesn’t seem right to me. The way everything was done was not too organized either, because the front rows were not reserved for the boys and girls, who were supposed to receive communion first.

Also, during communion cameras were flashing even though Father asked that not be done.

Just an added comment. This has probably been said many times. (I’m pretty new here.) What is with all the applause at the end of masses in some parishes?! I have only been going to this parish about 2 years. Sometimes this happens and sometimes not. It feels like the end of a play when every one is asked to take a bow! Makes me feel like yelling out, “And let’s have a big round of applause for the One who we are doing this all for!” What really gets me is when the priest says, “And give yourself applause for coming here today.”

No, it’s not ok. But seems to be a common practice.

 

[japhy]

At Sunday Mass at my parish there were about 10 or 12 boys and girls receiving First Holy Communion. At the beginning of the Liturgy of the Eucharist they came up and stood behind the altar, some in back of the priest. They were dispersed back to their seats before the consecration. And then at that time the EM’s came up around the back of the altar. This doesn’t seem right to me.

Neither is permitted (the presence of EMHCs at/around the altar (until after the priest has received Communion), nor the presence of kids at/around the altar). It also sounds quite odd… the kids getting sent back before the consecration? I’ve never heard of that; usually the kids stay up there throughout the whole thing (or perhaps until just after the Memorial Acclamation).

What is with all the applause at the end of masses in some parishes?! … It feels like the end of a play when every one is asked to take a bow! Makes me feel like yelling out, “And let’s have a big round of applause for the One who we are doing this all for!” What really gets me is when the priest says, “And give yourself applause for coming here today.”

It’s ridiculous. It’s us-centered rather than God-centered. Why should we get applause for fulfilling our duty? It’s the least that’s expected of us as Catholics.

 

[NPC]

I’ll just give a few observations on this matter - firstly, it seems strange to me that First Holy Communion was celebrated in the context of ‘normal’ Sunday Mass. Not that there’s anything incorrect about this, but certainly in Ireland it is commonplace to have a Mass just for the new communicants and their families. Schools are heavily involved in First Holy Communion Masses, and most teachers try to ensure that the children are involved in the Liturgy as much as possible on this special day - some do the scripture readings, others do prayers of the Faithful, present the offertory gifts, or give a Communion reflection…

I think this is wonderful to see - though, obviously the focus should be the fact that they are about to receive Christ in the Eucharist for the first time. However, I have never seen the children gathering around the altar - although, given the occasion, they should be brought as close as possible to the altar; i.e.- the front pews should be reserved for them. A few weeks ago I played the organ for a First Communion Mass and I thought it was nice that when the time came to read the Gospel, the priest invited the children to come and stand around him as he read. I’m sure to the children it was like a special message just for them - I think it brought them closer to the Gospel story in more ways than one!

As for the Extraordinary Ministers coming behind the altar before the Consecration - I don’t know why this would/should have been done. Were they by chance taking the role of altar-servers?

Finally, I’m not really a fan of applause at Mass - certainly not for the reason your priest gave - “for coming here today”. That’s ridiculous, although of course some people need a bit more encouragement than others to come to Mass week after week, but applause isn’t the proper way to go about it. Surely if everyone truly believed in Christ’s presence in the Eucharist, they would be ‘dying’ to come to Mass every Sunday - without the ‘help’ of applause?!

 

[Phemie]

I’ll just give a few observations on this matter - firstly, it seems strange to me that First Holy Communion was celebrated in the context of ‘normal’ Sunday Mass. Not that there’s anything incorrect about this, but certainly in Ireland it is commonplace to have a Mass just for the new communicants and their families.

In our parish we’ve celebrated First Communion at the regular Sunday Mass for a few decades.

In some parishes, the children work at their own pace and receive First Communion individually, not as a class. My daughter did this. We were given a program which we followed, she did the work and when I felt she was ready I presented her to the priest for her interview. He ascertained that she was ready, heard her confession, and then she was free to present herself for Communion the next time we were at Mass, whether a weekday or a Sunday. He offered to come to our house to celebrate Mass and that’s what he did. DD received Communion surrounded only by family and friends. I must admit I wouldn’t do this (the home thing) today as I’ve come to a different understanding of ‘Communion’ but then it seemed like wonderful idea.

 

[EasterJoy]

It is permissible (in our archdiocese, at least) to have the children at the altar at a children’s Mass, which uses the Eucharist Prayer approved for a children’s liturgy.

In our archdiocese, though, those serving as EMHCs don’t come up until the priest has received under both species.

I find the applause very weird.

 

[buffalo]

NO!!!

 

[buffalo]

It is permissible (in our archdiocese, at least) to have the children at the altar at a children’s Mass, which uses the Eucharist Prayer approved for a children’s liturgy.

In our archdiocese, though, those serving as EMHCs don’t come up until the priest has received under both species.

I find the applause very weird.

A children’s Mass is defined as one predominantly attended by children. Sunday Masses do not normally qualify.

 

[SMHW]

It’s not unusual that the first communion kids process in with the priest at the beginning of Mass and then go back to their seats from the front of the church. But they shouldn’t be on the altar. But gathering the kids around the altar is not atypical even though it is not correct.

As far as the EMHCs… Well obviously the priest doesn’t seem to consider adhering to the rules to be especially important.

Any time you have kids doing something special the cameras start flashing. (I think part of the problem is half the people have no clue how to turn the flash off on their digital cameras.) It doesn’t matter what the rules are. Every knows taking the picture is more important than rules about how to take the picture.

And there are just some parishes that are “clappy”. And some priests are clappy too. If the people don’t clap there are priests out there who will ask for applause for whomever they think deserves it. It annoys me to no end but after 25 years of it I figure it won’t go away soon unless we get a new pastor who cracks down on it.

 

[Phemie]

And there are just some parishes that are “clappy”. And some priests are clappy too. If the people don’t clap there are priests out there who will ask for applause for whomever they think deserves it. It annoys me to no end but after 25 years of it I figure it won’t go away soon unless we get a new pastor who cracks down on it.

True enough. Yesterday at the parish I was visiting they applauded the children’s choir, a visiting priest, the bishop who wasn’t even there, and finally the finance committee guy who called attention to a letter in the bulletin.

 

[CAROLOFTHEBELLS]

I think I might be mistaken about when the EMs came up. I was a little thrown by the kids being up there and then leaving. I think the EMs were probably behind the altar closer to the Lord’s Prayer, although they seemed to be off to the side preparing for communion beforehand with a lot of activity going on.

I thought the children were ones who could not make it to the Mass that was conducted specifically for First Holy Communion, since there were so few of them. But I really didn’t know why they were there, so maybe it is a go at your own pace sort of thing as described above. They were well behaved behind the altar and all had their hands in the prayer position. Except one had an itch on his arm and back he just had to scratch for a minute.

I really don’t care much for the whole gather the children around the altar that is sometimes done when a church is crowded. The reason is that children can be figity. It’s distracting. Cute, but distracting. On one Easter my nephew (kind of a big boy) kept stepping on the edge of the candle holder that held the Pascal Candle, so, of course, everyone in my family noticed since our eyes tended to go towards him. So I was sitting out there scared that he was going to trip and that big candle was going to go flying.

 

[puzzleannie]

I’ll just give a few observations on this matter - firstly, it seems strange to me that First Holy Communion was celebrated in the context of ‘normal’ Sunday Mass. Not that there’s anything incorrect about this, but certainly in Ireland it is commonplace to have a Mass just for the new communicants and their families. !

it is actually “liturgically correct” for first communicants to receive in the context of a regular Sunday Mass, rather than a separate celebration, but neither is forbidden if it is local custom and the bishop permits. We recently had lengthy (acrimonious) discussions on this side question on recent threads, and you can see how much practice varies from place to place.

no lay people are supposed to be in the sanctuary except those actually needed for the celebration (altar servers for example). why pastors seem to think the ideal introduction to the Mass for first communicants is to teach them to participate in something that verges on liturgical abuse is beyond my understanding.

the practical reason for seating the children, with or without their families, together in the front is so the director can make sure they receive from the priest, receive properly, and actually do receive (and not bail as kids do from time to time because of nerves or whatever).

 

[nana3]

At Sunday Mass at my parish there were about 10 or 12 boys and girls receiving First Holy Communion. At the beginning of the Liturgy of the Eucharist they came up and stood behind the altar, some in back of the priest. They were dispersed back to their seats before the consecration. And then at that time the EM’s came up around the back of the altar. This doesn’t seem right to me. The way everything was done was not too organized either, because the front rows were not reserved for the boys and girls, who were supposed to receive communion first.

Also, during communion cameras were flashing even though Father asked that not be done.

Just an added comment. This has probably been said many times. (I’m pretty new here.) What is with all the applause at the end of masses in some parishes?! I have only been going to this parish about 2 years. Sometimes this happens and sometimes not. It feels like the end of a play when every one is asked to take a bow! Makes me feel like yelling out, “And let’s have a big round of applause for the One who we are doing this all for!” What really gets me is when the priest says, “And give yourself applause for coming here today.”

This sounds like a parish here in Orlando. I don’t like it either. I hate the clapping after every homily the priest gives. I don’t think he likes it, but has said nothing to discourage it. It never fails that they clap, but don’t do so for other priests or if the deacon gives the homily. The one they clap for is the parish pastor and yes, he is good in what he says, but the clapping seems unnecessary and it is all the times that I have visited the parish, which is maybe once a month. My sister goes there weekly and she said the parishioners clap after every one of his homilies. During daily Mass, the more conservative crowd is there and they don’t clap after his homilies.

 

[pyropam]

Should you not all “JUST BE HAPPY” that you had some “First Holy Communion” candidates? Why argue about how it happened? Why would applause bother you in the least? We don’t do either the way you described. However, if we did, that would be the Priest’s decision.

 

[CAROLOFTHEBELLS]

why pastors seem to think the ideal introduction to the Mass for first communicants is to teach them to participate in something that verges on liturgical abuse is beyond my understanding.
.

Yes, I thought this was actually a terrible introduction into what a communicant’s role is.

 

[CAROLOFTHEBELLS]

Should you not all “JUST BE HAPPY” that you had some “First Holy Communion” candidates? Why argue about how it happened? Why would applause bother you in the least? We don’t do either the way you described. However, if we did, that would be the Priest’s decision.

I was happy for them, but it felt really strange that they would be behind the altar. As a matter of fact, I saw it as being backwards and not allowing them time kneeling in prayer in humbleness.

I don’t think there is an arguement here. We are simply discussing what is proper. I think it’s important, myself, that we don’t end up with some parishes conducting a perverted form of the Mass. Although I think that most priests are well meaning, I wonder what will be ahead of us in the future if we are not watchful. I’m not worried, though.

Asking for applause in church bothers me very much because we are there for the glory of God, not for our own glory or recognition. People assisting in the Mass should be doing it because they are sharing their gifts and are part of the community, not to receive applause. I am pretty much okay with applauding a choir, but when it is a continue, “And let’s hear it for…” it is so focused on all “us great human beings” and (this may sound weird) it is an incredibily rude thing to do to God. And I have yet to hear one person, priest or not, in all the applauding ever mention God. In fact, I find it amazing that a priest would actually utter the words, “And, last but not least, give yourself a round of applause.” No, we should be last and least and God should be first on our lips when doling out the praise.

 

[EasterJoy]

A children’s Mass is defined as one predominantly attended by children. Sunday Masses do not normally qualify.

I wouldn’t know what qualifies as a children’s Mass. I was all set to ask my pastor about it, having seen the practice at the mid-week parish school Mass–which obviously would qualify, if anything would–and someone here answered my question before I asked him.

OTOH, if this is about making one Sunday Mass a year into a “children’s” Mass for the sake of a dozen kids making their First Holy Communion, I wouldn’t waste a stamp writing the bishop.

 

[benedictgal]

Rome condemned the practice of youth gathering around the altar in a letter sent to the LifeTeen founder. This practice was supposed to have ceased. However, there are some parishes, I suppose, who see it as their right to have some sort of creative spin.

According to Francis Cardinal Arinze, the Prefect for the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments:

Aware that the Sacraments, especially the Holy Eucharist, are Sacraments of faith, that they are signs which manifest faith and instruct on it, the Church is very careful to safeguard sacramental norms and formulae.

No sacramental rite may be modified or manipulated at the will of the minister or the community. Even the supreme authority in the Church may not change the liturgy arbitrarily, but only in the obedience of faith and with religious respect for the mystery of the liturgy.2

Furthermore, he notes that:

It is the liturgical norms that the Church uses to protect and transmit the treasures of the liturgy. The celebrating community does not have to re-invent the sacred rites in every age. Redemptionis Sacramentum emphasizes this important function in the preservation of the sacred rites:

The Church herself has no power over those things which were established by Christ Himself and which constitute an unchangeable part of the Liturgy. Indeed, if the bond were to be broken which the Sacraments have with Christ Himself who instituted them, and with the events of the Church’s founding, it would not be beneficial to the faithful but rather would do them grave harm. For the Sacred Liturgy is quite intimately connected with principles of doctrine, so that the use of unapproved texts and rites necessarily leads either to the attenuation or to the disappearance of that necessary link between the lex orandi and the lex credendi.7

What the OP described was something that should not have happened. Furthermore, the First Holy Communion Mass does not even qualify as a Children’s Liturgy because in order for it to be such, the majority of the faithful must be comprised of children. That was certainly not the case with this particular Mass, according to the OP’s description.

Furthermore, the issue of applause is problematic. The children have just entered into a profound relationship with Jesus Christ through the Holy Eucharist. This is something sacred that should not be cheapened by applause.

 

[NPC]

it is actually “liturgically correct” for first communicants to receive in the context of a regular Sunday Mass, rather than a separate celebration, but neither is forbidden if it is local custom and the bishop permits. We recently had lengthy (acrimonious) discussions on this side question on recent threads, and you can see how much practice varies from place to place.

• As I said, I was merely making an observation about custom in Ireland, while saying that, of course, there is not anything wrong with celebrating First Holy Communion in the context of a Sunday Mass. Why would anyone say otherwise? - not to diminish the importance of the sacrament, but Mass is Mass- whether the First Communicants get a special Mass or not, they still receive the same body of Christ…

At the First Communion Mass that I was at recently (as mentioned in my previous post), the priest specifically requested that there be absolutely no photography during the Mass. He said he felt that the focus is often taken off the Mass itself when there are constant flashes from cameras and parents clambering for the best spot to photograph their child. He also said that he started making this request a number of years ago in a different parish when a parent came up to the altar rails to photograph the child as he received Holy Communion… Amazingly, all people present respected his request - and I do think the Mass was the better for it. After the Celebration the priest stayed as long as was necessary for all children to be photographed…

Unfortunately, this is often not the case - a number of weeks back I was absolutely shocked by the lack of reverence at a First Communion Mass. Of course reverence is important in any church, but this Mass took place in the Cathedral of a neighbouring diocese. The priest asked those present to refrain from photography during the Mass, but I think those who respected his wishes were in the minority. Many of the children, when going up to do readings, were acting like models posing for the camera! The noise level was disgraceful - of course one expects and can tolerate a certain level of restlessness from young children, but in this case many of the adults were far worse. The noise caused by young children running up and down the aisles was amplified in the vibrant acoustic… Unfortunately, it wasn’t until after Communion that the priest firmly asked for silence although he was clearly irritated by the noisy atmosphere throughout the Mass… I imagine that the majority of the parents were not regular Mass-goers, and unfortunately most of their children probably won’t see the inside of a church until they are confirmed in four years’ time…

 

[buffalo]

I will tell you a story - several years ago my daughter made her first Holy Communion. I had advance notice that they were going to stand around the altar with their parents. I knew this because they did it with my sons. I decided to take a stand. I was called by the Deacon and I told him I would not go up and I qouted the GIRM… He told me tersely that if I didn’t I would be the only one. He told me this is the way we do things here.

My wife and I went around and around on this and I decided for the sake of my daughter (my daughter heard our discussions and was now upset) to be charitable and we stood around the altar.

So it’s time for the Priest to start distributing HC and an EMofHC rushes over so she could be the first to distribute to my daughter. I was crushed. What a fiasco. Good intentions gone astray.