My 7 year old accidentally received the Eucharist

[Aggies08]

1. Tell your pastor what happened; listen to what Father says. If he wants to do something in paticular, he’ll say it.

You have talked to her; you may want to let the teachers know (so they can word this more clearly for future). I assume she will finish up her classes, and participate the in the ceremony of the First Communion even though she’s received before.

I don’t think this is a big deal, in the scheme of things.

 

[anjoh66]

It’s transubstantiation. And yes, of course she received the Body of Christ, but since SHE was not prepared fully, she does not receive the full grace of the sacrament. That is how I understand it. If I am wrong, I will concede, but since she had not had her first Confession/Penance, I don’t think this should be considered her First Eucharist. But the priest will decide, I suppose.

Why shouldnt it be the full grace of the sacrament?
The eastern catholics recieve as infants and for them it is the full grace, so why should it be different for a Latin catholic?

Is God dealing out grace in different manners regarding if you are Latin or Eastern?

 

[anjoh66]

Correct, we are different in discipline and theology, but our sacraments are the same and the grace of God is the same. To not consider this her first Eucharist just doesn’t make sense to me. First Eucharist is not a sacrament in and of itself. It is simply the first time that the Eucharist is received. She received it. How can that be undone? To teach this little girl that this was not her First Communion might confuse her and undermine her understanding of the Eucharist. I am only making the point that the grace of God received in the sacraments is not contained by disciplines of the church, though the reception of the Sacraments is rightly regulated by the church.

As for the other, I seriously doubt that a 7 year old is in mortal sin. But, of course if she were to continue to receive Holy Communion now that she has already received her First Communion, she would need to go to confession before her class is scheduled to do so. As to the relevance of the Eastern practice in this situation: We also do not permit someone who in in a state of serious sin to receive Holy Communion, yet the progression toward a more mature understanding, and the obligations (such as confession) that go along with it, is gradual. Because of this, two of my children have asked to go to confession well before the age of reason. We don’t really worry that somebody has hit his 7th birthday and has not yet been to Confession, and we certainly don’t believe that he does not receive Grace when he receives Holy Communion. We just make sure that he is prepared and goes to confession sometime soon. Certainly, the disciplines of the Latin Church should have been followed in this case, but since they weren’t, this is one way of looking at it. The grace received was real and complete. What’s done is done and cannot be undone.

I fully agree with you, it was her first communion, period.

 

[anjoh66]

The Eastern rites are completely different to the Roman or Latin rite. I admire how it is done in your rite, but that’s not the way we do it.



We don’t know if that little girl could be in mortal sin. I mean, it’s nice to assume she is not, but what if she were??

It should be her first communion regardless if she was in mortal sin or not, yes recieving in a state of mortal sin is not to be done, but even if someone, anyone, is in mortal sin it is still the Flesh and Blood of the Lord, that can never be undone.

That should be something taken up in confession, just as everybody must do who has recieved in a state of mortal sin, but the Eucharist always remain Eucharist and as such it has been recieved by the little girl.

 

[ConstantineTG]

she does not receive the full grace of the sacrament

Nonsense. Nowhere does the Church teach this. Eastern Catholics commune kids all the time, including babies. Don’t tell me the Roman Eucharist is different from the Byzantine Eucharist.

The Eastern rites are completely different to the Roman or Latin rite. I admire how it is done in your rite, but that’s not the way we do it.

Doesn’t matter. As aforementioned, do you believe there is a different Eucharist between our Churches? Not just because you do things differently means the spiritual realities are different.

We don’t know if that little girl could be in mortal sin. I mean, it’s nice to assume she is not, but what if she were??

You’re right, we do not know. So why worry about it? Why make a deal about it? We do not know if any adult receiving Communion is in mortal sin. That is between them and God. None of our business. Why even mention it?

 

[Joan_M]

Also, for a 7 year old to be in a state of mortal sin would be awfully difficult to achieve, since the matter has to be grave, they have to possess full knowledge that it is grave, and then commit the sin anyway. They need to have a full awareness of things. The Church recognizes that even though 7 is considered the age of reason (more or less, depending on the child), their reasoning ability and consciences are not fully formed, their ability to know the gravity of actions is not fully developed, their awareness of sin is not fully developed. Seven year olds are not small adults. They are 7-year old children, and are not judged by the same standard as fully grown adults. The Catechism covers this culpability for sin very well.

Actually, if someone believes a particular sin is a mortal sin (even if it isn’t) and still commits the sin, it is mortal for them. Seven year old children may, indeed, believe that something that is, in fact, a venial sin actually is a mortal sin. If they go ahead and freely commit it, then it is, for them, mortal. Be very careful in assuming that children cannot commit a mortal sin.

 

[Mary_Gail_36]

You must hang out with much rougher 7 year olds than the ones I know.

I remember watching the program with Father Trigilio and Father Levis on EWTN.

If I remember correctly, they had a question regarding mortal sin for 7 year olds. Father Trigilio compared confession for that age, to well child visits, child goes to the doctor to stay healthy, not because they are neccessarily sick.

 

[Mrs_Sally]

What should I do? Do I need to tell our parish priest, or the team that prepares the children for Holy Communion? How serious is this?

Snugglebugmom, have you had a chance to speak to your priest? What did he say? I would call or email rather than wait for next Sunday or next CCD class. Simply say you need an appointment with the priest. If possible, bring your daughter.

 

[triumphguy]

Actually, if someone believes a particular sin is a mortal sin (even if it isn’t) and still commits the sin, it is mortal for them. Seven year old children may, indeed, believe that something that is, in fact, a venial sin actually is a mortal sin. If they go ahead and freely commit it, then it is, for them, mortal. Be very careful in assuming that children cannot commit a mortal sin.

I’m sorry that’s just wrong.

To commit a mortal sin there needs to be grave matter, full knowledge and complete consent.

If there is no “grave matter” then there is no mortal sin.

Grave matter means intrinsically evil. If something is not intrinsically evil (even if I think it does) then it is not grave matter.

However, the sin of pride may exist where one wills to commit a mortal sin (in the absence of grave matter), but that’s quite a stretch for a seven year old - their pride must be so great as to constitute grave matter, and they must have full knowledge of what they are doing, and be able to give a complete (mature) consent to that sin.

To the OP. Your child has received communion. All her sins were no doubt forgiven by receiving communion. try not to stress about it. Just let the priest know, and I’m sure for pastoral reasons he will allow your daughter to participate with her classmates in the “official” “first” communion.

 

[babochka]

Actually, if someone believes a particular sin is a mortal sin (even if it isn’t) and still commits the sin, it is mortal for them. Seven year old children may, indeed, believe that something that is, in fact, a venial sin actually is a mortal sin. If they go ahead and freely commit it, then it is, for them, mortal. Be very careful in assuming that children cannot commit a mortal sin.

First of all, nobody said that a 7 year old cannot commit mortal sin, simply that it is highly unlikely.

Secondly, I have never heard of such a concept. Scrupulous people all over are probably freaking out over your words. What would constitute grave matter in this situation?

 

[ConstantineTG]

Actually, if someone believes a particular sin is a mortal sin (even if it isn’t) and still commits the sin, it is mortal for them. Seven year old children may, indeed, believe that something that is, in fact, a venial sin actually is a mortal sin. If they go ahead and freely commit it, then it is, for them, mortal. Be very careful in assuming that children cannot commit a mortal sin.

Can’t be. Intent is only one qualifier, but not the only qualifier. It has to be a grave matter. A person’s intention does not change the gravity of the matter. Intending to steal a 50-cent piece of candy will never be mortal even if you think that it is.