Moms Giving First Communion

[WanderAimlessly]

Ans interesting Q&A:

Moms Giving First Communion
And More on Irregular Relationships

ROME, JAN. 17, 2006 (Zenit.org).- Answered by Father Edward McNamara, professor of liturgy at the Regina Apostolorum university.

Q: Sunday last an acquaintance of my wife’s remarked, in passing, that it had been a stressful spring, “You know, with first Communion and all.” The lady explained that at her parish in Virginia, mothers (as in moms) administer first Eucharist to their children. She was “so nervous [she] almost couldn’t say ‘the Body of Christ’” and had to be prompted. Have you ever heard of such a thing, and is it not a gross liturgical/sacramental abuse? – L.L., Washington, D.C.

Full Story

PF

 

[paramedicgirl]

Who would have thought? As if there aren’t enough abuses already! I sure wish we could all be sure that when we go to Mass, it will be the the Mass of the ages as it was meant to be, free of innovations and corruptions that are clearly meant to be people-pleasers!

 

[John_Lilburne]

I think its good that Fr McNamara wrote about this, because its a particularly nasty abuse. The pressure on the mother is to go along with the abuse, or her child will not be able to receive Communion.

But his answer suggests he has forgotten part of the 2004 Instuction “Redemptionis Sacramentum”. It had:

“[87.] The First Communion of children must always be preceded by sacramental confession and absolution.[169] Moreover First Communion should always be administered by a Priest and never outside the celebration of Mass.”

This makes it a requirement to receive First Communion from a priest. So Father McNamara did not go far enough in saying:

“The fact that holy Communion is primarily God’s gift is best expressed by receiving it from the celebrating priest as Christ’s representative. Indeed, most pastors rightly reserve the administration of first holy Communion to themselves and almost never delegate this ministry to extraordinary ministers, or even to deacons.”

 

[Marysann]

I see from the question that this practice was taking place in Virginia. Does anyone know which diocese? I am from the Diocese of Arlington, and I can’t imagine that this type of thing could be going on in our diocese. Let’s pray for the pastors who allow such a practice.