My daughter took communion before her "first communion"

[edward_george1]

People throw around the word “valid” all the time, but I think about 70% of the time it gets used on here, it’s being used incorrectly.

Valid refers to whether a sacrament was carried out or not. Matter, form, intent, all these are necessary for validity. There isn’t such a thing as a “valid reception of communion” or a “valid First Communion” or a “valid rosary” or “valid novena” since these aren’t things that get measured in terms of validity. It’s like asking how many liters tall someone is.

1ke is spot on here.

-Fr ACEGC

 

[Francis]

The only concern here is confession before the first holy communion and second there is proper church teaching and protocols which should be followed.one cannot just run and receive Holy Eucharist on Sunday with out proper disposition and procedure prescribed by the Church and say everything is over and ask the church of the card it doesn’t work like this’.

There is no requirement for witnesses, there is no “protocol”, and there is no requirement in canon law to record (first) communion in any sacramental record book.

Protocol is the proper teaching and instruction to child receiving first holy communion [2226] **Education in the faith by the parents should begin in the child’s earliest years. This already happens when family members help one another to grow in faith by the witness of a Christian life in keeping with the Gospel. Family catechesis precedes, accompanies, and enriches other forms of instruction in the faith. Parents have the mission of teaching their children to pray and to discover their vocation as children of God.**35 The parish is the Eucharistic community and the heart of the liturgical life of Christian families; it is a privileged place for the catechesis of children and parents.

First communion is literally the first time you go to communion.

As instructed by the Priest and not when ever you want and as you like ,and they the parent thinks it over.no not wrong. Church prescribed the 5 condition of confession before receiving the First Holy Communion for the first time, as the Church rules are defined.There are many first holy Communicants who also receive the confirmations depending upon the age ,and are administered by the local Archbishop or the Bishop,the Op was asking whether

**[1458]
** Without being strictly necessary, confession of everyday faults (venial sins) is nevertheless strongly recommended by the Church.59 Indeed the regular confession of our venial sins helps us form our conscience, fight against evil tendencies, let ourselves be healed by Christ and progress in the life of the Spirit. By receiving more frequently through this sacrament the gift of the Father’s mercy, we are spurred to be merciful as he is merciful:60

[1457] According to the Church’s command, "after having attained the age of discretion, each of the faithful is bound by an obligation faithfully to confess serious sins at least once a year."56 Anyone who is aware of having committed a mortal sin must not receive Holy Communion, even if he experiences deep contrition, without having first received sacramental absolution, unless he has a grave reason for receiving Communion and there is no possibility of going to confession.57 Children must go to the sacrament of Penance before receiving Holy Communion for the first time.58

 

[JulianN]

What card are you talking about? It’s been explained at length that there is no separate sacrament of “First” Communion—and it is not necessary to register it. If the OP’s parish does register this, then yes, it was definitely the child’s first Communion.

I’m more surprised the child didn’t receive Communion when she was baptized (and hopefully confirmed) at the age of 7.

 

[1ke]

The only concern here is confession before the first holy communion

The mother can arrange for he daughter to begin going to the sacrament of reconciliation. While not ideal, it also isn’t actually a “concern” in the way you are trying to make it. It doesn’t make the communion “invalid”.

second there is proper church teaching and protocols which should be followed

There isn’t any protocol. What are you talking about?

Church teaching-- she’s already been instructed and she is baptized. Those are the requirements.

one cannot just run and receive Holy Eucharist on Sunday with out proper disposition

Well, really one can. But no one here can say the child was not properly disposed. She’s nine. She’s been baptized and catechized. Proper disposition is not for us to determine. It’s interior.

procedure prescribed by the Church

What is this procedure you speak of? Get in line, bow, hold out your hand or stick out your tongue, say amen. that’s the “procedure” for receiving communion.

and say everything is over and ask the church of the card

It is over. And I have no idea what “card” you keep referring to. There is no card.

it doesn’t work like this’

Actually, it does work like that.

 

[1ke]

I’m more surprised the child didn’t receive Communion when she was baptized (and hopefully confirmed) at the age of 7.

While this is what the rites call for, in my experience no priest I’ve ever worked with has done so when baptizing a child in the 7-10 category. I’ve only experienced them baptizing and then doing FHC later and confirmation with their peers. Despite my attempts to point out what the canons say, what the rites call for, etc. And, ultimately it is the pastor’s decision.

 

[angel12]

,the parent just cannot claim that the first communion is valid,

A total stranger cannot just claim that it was invalid. You are not their priest.

 

[1ke]

Protocol is the proper teaching and instruction to child receiving first holy communion [2226] ** Education in the faith by the parents should begin in the child’s earliest years. This already happens when family members help one another to grow in faith by the witness of a Christian life in keeping with the Gospel. Family catechesis precedes, accompanies, and enriches other forms of instruction in the faith. Parents have the mission of teaching their children to pray and to discover their vocation as children of God.** 35 The parish is the Eucharistic community and the heart of the liturgical life of Christian families; it is a privileged place for the catechesis of children and parents.

The child is currently in faith formation, so I’m not sure what your point is.

As instructed by the Priest and not when ever you want and as you like

Typically, yes, children are in faith formation and they receive first communion together in one or more masses that are designated for “first communion”. This is a custom, not a requirement. But, in this case, her first communion happened outside the norm. But it was still her first communion. Not the first kid it’s happened with, won’t be the last.

 

[Francis]

A total stranger cannot just claim that it was invalid. You are not their priest.

Yes ,please read my post earlier’, that the Op should contact the priest ,nor did’t claim to be their priest ,now did ? ,i didn’t say the communion was invalid but rather abide by the rules of the Church as in [1457] According to the Church’s command, "after having attained the age of discretion, each of the faithful is bound by an obligation faithfully to confess serious sins at least once a year."56 Anyone who is aware of having committed a mortal sin must not receive Holy Communion, even if he experiences deep contrition, without having first received sacramental absolution, unless he has a grave reason for receiving Communion and there is no possibility of going to confession. 57 Children must go to the sacrament of Penance before receiving Holy Communion for the first time.58

But not just run and receive holy communion one fine day ,with out properly instruction about the Eucharist which the parents and the Catechism teacher are obliged by the Church.

2252 Parents have the first responsibility for the education of their children in the faith, prayer, and all the virtues. They have the duty to provide as far as possible for the physical and spiritual needs of their children.

2253 Parents should respect and encourage their children’s vocations. They should remember and teach that the first calling of the Christian is to follow Jesus.

 

[JulianN]

I guess I was lucky to work with priests who did what the rites call for. This is an example of how confusing it can get, because the fourth-grader’s peers have already made first Communion.
But you’re right—his call.

 

[JulianN]

Additionally, a child who was baptized in the Eastern Rite, and therefore received first Communion as an infant, is allowed to receive Communion in a Latin-Rite church throughout childhood, without first going to Confession.

 

[Francis]

Additionally, a child who was baptized in the Eastern Rite, and therefore received first Communion as an infant, is allowed to receive Communion in a Latin-Rite church throughout childhood, without first going to Confession.

Yes am aware of that ,i have a few priest friends in the Eastern Right ,its nice so if the Child dies ,he already received the Holy Communion and gain eternal life John 6 53 So Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. 54 Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day; 55 for my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink. 56 Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them

 

[JulianN]

,its nice so if the Child dies ,he already received the Holy Communion and gain eternal life

Communion is not the gateway to eternal life —that’s baptism.

 

[Francis]

Communion is not the gateway to eternal life —that’s baptism.

Yes , CCC 1213 Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit (vitae spiritualis ianua) ,4 and the door which gives access to the other sacraments. Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission: "Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration through water in the word."5 God Bless

 

[Francis]

The CCC doesn’t say the sacrament is invalid, just that for proper preparation and for their own good confession must, as a norm, precede it. Jesus didn’t remove his presence from the Eucharist as it entered the child’s mouth, which is what you’re basically claiming with the terminology.

You seem to be mixing up the concepts of valid and licit.

Yes i agree with you

[1458] Without being strictly necessary, confession of everyday faults (venial sins) is nevertheless strongly recommended by the Church.59 Indeed the regular confession of our venial sins helps us form our conscience, fight against evil tendencies, let ourselves be healed by Christ and progress in the life of the Spirit. By receiving more frequently through this sacrament the gift of the Father’s mercy, we are spurred to be merciful as he is merciful:60

Church prescribed the 5 condition of confession before receiving the First Holy Communion for the first time, as the Church rules are defined.There are many first holy Communicants who also receive the confirmations depending upon the age ,and are administered by the local Archbishop or the Bishop,the Op was asking whether

[1457] According to the Church’s command, "after having attained the age of discretion, each of the faithful is bound by an obligation faithfully to confess serious sins at least once a year."56 Anyone who is aware of having committed a mortal sin must not receive Holy Communion, even if he experiences deep contrition, without having first received sacramental absolution, unless he has a grave reason for receiving Communion and there is no possibility of going to confession.57 Children must go to the sacrament of Penance before receiving Holy Communion for the first time.58

 

[goout]

Why are you throwing long passages of the CCC out.
This is at worst an innocent mistake on the part of 9 year old.
Aggravating the issue is an injustice to the child. (well, yes we are only on the internet, but the parent came here looking for guidance, and he/she ought to calm guidance)

 

[edward_george1]

And that guidance has already been given. So there’s no need to belabor the point.

 

[QwertyGirl]

nice to imagine,but not valid in the sight of the Church

In the 1970’s and for who knows how long before that, our entire diocese had 2nd grade students make their first communion. Then, in 3rd grade, first confession was made. Their first communion at that time was completely valid.

I think the first communion was completely valid.

 

[Mintaka]

Purposefully scheduling First Communion before First Confession was… dumb… but within the powers of the bishop or the pastor. Nothing invalid about it. Personally, I was glad that we had the traditional order of Sacraments to the extent of Confession coming first; and if I had known about the older idea of getting Confirmed first, I would have lobbied for it. Parochial elementary school was rough, and God knows that we needed graces.

There are a lot of things that are “valid but hopefully won’t happen,” “valid but not recommended,” or “valid if there’s an emergency or weird circumstances.”

Yes, obviously it is better to approach any later Sacrament while in a state of grace, so of course it’s better to go to Confession before First Communion. It allows full access to graces. (Unless Bobby and Sue start a knife fight in the car on their way to church.)

But even if you received your First Communion while in a state of mortal sin (which God forbid, but which God has allowed a lot of adult future converts to do in ignorance), you could still receive some graces if God wanted, although you would have the full sacramental graces held in abeyance until you were once more in a state of grace.

As was said above, this little girl probably wasn’t in a state of mortal sin, and Mass would have taken care of any venial sins. So it’s not an ideal situation, but it happened and it’s valid.

Praise God that she received this gift, even if it was in a crazy mixed-up way. And as I said above, it may turn out to have been Providence taking a hand. These things are mysteries.

And yes, actually any Catholic above the age of reason, who is not living a life of scandal, has the right to ask for Communion and receive it. Pastors are actually supposed to be very very permissive about degree of preparation, because Sacraments are not supposed to be withheld without very good reason. A fourth grader needs the graces of the Sacrament; that’s a pretty harsh time and it just gets more worldly from there. (And requiring service projects in order to receive Sacraments is perilously close to simony in the form of selling the Sacraments. Requiring kids to serve out an indenture, or using them as corvee labor for church projects, is foul.)

I cannot imagine withholding First Communion from a fourth grader, when everyone else was deemed fully prepared in 2nd grade. If you need to catch up an older kid, just tutor them. Sticking them with younger kids is a bit ridiculous. Maybe God thinks it’s ridiculous too.

Baptized children are full members of the Church. They need graces as much as adults do, and adults should stop starving them of the Sacraments.

 

[halogirl]

This can all be clarified/put right by their pastor any case. OP maybe when she gets confirmed you can have the family celebration etc

 

[Camehome4john6]

OP, Father answered the question. Be at peace and ignore everything else.