Obtaining permission for infant/child communion

[CastillianRose]

My understanding is that infant communion is regarded as unnecessary to salvation in the Catholic faith, so most people do not do it. However, I know there are exceptions, such as in the case of Little Nellie of Holy God. Is it easy to obtain permission for such an exception? For instance, if someone would like their child to receive communion before the age of seven, is there a procedure to follow to obtain permission? If yes, how long does it take and what are the chances of receiving permission? Thank you for your (name removed by moderator)ut!

 

[FAB]

My understanding is that infant communion is regarded as unnecessary to salvation in the Catholic faith, so most people do not do it. However, I know there are exceptions, such as in the case of Little Nellie of Holy God. Is it easy to obtain permission for such an exception? For instance, if someone would like their child to receive communion before the age of seven, is there a procedure to follow to obtain permission? If yes, how long does it take and what are the chances of receiving permission? Thank you for your (name removed by moderator)ut!

Little Nellie was an extraordinary case that the girl had a understanding and reason on the Body of Christ. Unless a child showed such abilities, the age of reason is 7.

 

[Will_B]

There are rites within the Roman Catholic Church that allow infants to receive the Eucharist after Baptism… Easter Rite’s I believe. The Latin rite uses confession as the entry to the Eucharist, while the Eastern rite uses Baptism. Even within the Latin right the age will vary from diocese to diocese. Some as low as 7, others say 12

 

[countertenor]

There are rites within the Roman Catholic Church that allow infants to receive the Eucharist after Baptism… Easter Rite’s I believe. The Latin rite uses confession as the entry to the Eucharist, while the Eastern rite uses Baptism. Even within the Latin right the age will vary from diocese to diocese. Some as low as 7, others say 12

Within the communion of Churches which make up the Catholic Church (of which the Roman Church is only 1), there are Churches that give communion to infants and young children.

To the OP if you are considering becoming Catholic and are Orthodox now, then you automatically will belong to an Eastern Catholic Church, even if you convert in a Roman/Latin rite parish. Because of the fact that you would canonically be eastern, you children would most likely be able to receive communion as infants.

I work in a Roman parish, and my children receive communion, they are currently ages 2 and 3 1/2.

 

[starsmurf]

My understanding is that infant communion is regarded as unnecessary to salvation in the Catholic faith, so most people do not do it. However, I know there are exceptions, such as in the case of Little Nellie of Holy God. Is it easy to obtain permission for such an exception? For instance, if someone would like their child to receive communion before the age of seven, is there a procedure to follow to obtain permission? If yes, how long does it take and what are the chances of receiving permission? Thank you for your (name removed by moderator)ut!

Could I suggest, unless there is some special reason why the child could not wait until the normal age, waiting until the normal age for a child to receive First Communion? It is one of the most special days in a person’s life, and if it is something they experience when they are very young, they won’t have any real understanding or appreciation of what is happening. All it will mean to them is a pretty dress (if they are a girl), and presents, along with lots of attention. They may also not really remember it. I have a friend in this situation, who had their First Communion at the age of 4. He is angry with his parents for not waiting, as he cannot remember the event and had no concept of how special an experience it was. My friend feels that his parents put their desires to see their child receive communion over what was actually best for him. At that age a child does not have full reason and therefore cannot sin, so communion is unnecessary for the child’s salvation. That being the case, it would be denying them future happiness in order to satisfy the desire of the parents.

If you are thinking of this, I beg you not to, the pain my friend endures is a deep wound. He is a seminarian, and says that when he becomes a priest, he knows that he will feel a sort of envy when he watches children in his parish receive their First Communion. He told me I was very lucky to be a convert, as it meant I had a full appreciation of how special a day it was and I’ll always have the memory of it.

 

[passus]

If you are thinking of this, I beg you not to, the pain my friend endures is a deep wound. He is a seminarian, and says that when he becomes a priest, he knows that he will feel a sort of envy when he watches children in his parish receive their First Communion.

What a blessing if this were the deepest wound this man should ever know! I can think of far worse that could happen to an individual and not being able to remember the day of his 1st Communion really, really isn’t such a big deal. Holy Communion should always be an extraordinary sacramental experience and it is an extraordinary sacramental experience. The importance of a “First Holy Communion” with the entire family in attendance and a white garment and a reception in the park with a cake and big gifts really is a rather cultural event.

 

[CB_Catholic]

Could I suggest, unless there is some special reason why the child could not wait until the normal age, waiting until the normal age for a child to receive First Communion? It is one of the most special days in a person’s life, and if it is something they experience when they are very young, they won’t have any real understanding or appreciation of what is happening. All it will mean to them is a pretty dress (if they are a girl), and presents, along with lots of attention. They may also not really remember it. I have a friend in this situation, who had their First Communion at the age of 4. He is angry with his parents for not waiting, as he cannot remember the event and had no concept of how special an experience it was. My friend feels that his parents put their desires to see their child receive communion over what was actually best for him. At that age a child does not have full reason and therefore cannot sin, so communion is unnecessary for the child’s salvation. That being the case, it would be denying them future happiness in order to satisfy the desire of the parents.

If you are thinking of this, I beg you not to, the pain my friend endures is a deep wound. He is a seminarian, and says that when he becomes a priest, he knows that he will feel a sort of envy when he watches children in his parish receive their First Communion. He told me I was very lucky to be a convert, as it meant I had a full appreciation of how special a day it was and I’ll always have the memory of it.

This MAY be true for a Latin rite Catholic, but the honorable tradition in most of the Eastern Catholic Churches and the Orthodox Church is for the infant to be baptized, chrismated, and given communion at the same time, thus completeing their initiation into the Church. Their tradition is just as good as ours, and the OP is Orthodox–if she has children they already may have received thir intiation Sacraments.

To tell you the truth, most people do not remember their First Communion day all that well anyway. They have some memories, but not the way an adult would remember, and most people would not be as deeply wounded as your friend; and in the Eastern Churches, probably no one is experiencing any distress over receiving when they were an infant. They grew up always knowing Jesus in that way.

 

[Joan_M]

I received First Communion at age 5. I am now 68 and I can remember that day very well. I remember the dress I wore, the hymns we sung, etc.

My youngest son received First Communion at 5 also. Why, well, he was going to First Communion class, even though he was quite young, as the teacher urged him to. She simply wanted him to get used to the classes. However, when the priest came to examine the children to determine which ones were ready for First Communion, my son was the most ready. The teacher told him that S. was only 5, and the priest responded - “do not hold him back. He knows what he is about.”

Some children are ready earlier than others. It would be a shame to deprive them of the graces that they are ready for.

 

[Contarini]

Could I suggest, unless there is some special reason why the child could not wait until the normal age, waiting until the normal age for a child to receive First Communion? It is one of the most special days in a person’s life, and if it is something they experience when they are very young, they won’t have any real understanding or appreciation of what is happening. All it will mean to them is a pretty dress (if they are a girl), and presents, along with lots of attention. They may also not really remember it. I have a friend in this situation, who had their First Communion at the age of 4. He is angry with his parents for not waiting, as he cannot remember the event and had no concept of how special an experience it was. My friend feels that his parents put their desires to see their child receive communion over what was actually best for him. At that age a child does not have full reason and therefore cannot sin, so communion is unnecessary for the child’s salvation. That being the case, it would be denying them future happiness in order to satisfy the desire of the parents.

If you are thinking of this, I beg you not to, the pain my friend endures is a deep wound. He is a seminarian, and says that when he becomes a priest, he knows that he will feel a sort of envy when he watches children in his parish receive their First Communion. He told me I was very lucky to be a convert, as it meant I had a full appreciation of how special a day it was and I’ll always have the memory of it.

I was baptized at 18. I am very happy that I can remember the water closing over my head. It was a wonderful experience that helps keep me faithful to Jesus. But sacramentally, I know that it wasn’t any more valid than an infant baptism, and I further know that the longstanding preference of the Church is to baptize infants. So I agreed with my wife (who unlike me comes from an infant-baptizing tradition) that our daughter should be baptized as an infant. Do I feel sad that she won’t remember her baptism as I do? A little. But she will have a different joy–the joy of never not knowing that she has been united to Christ through baptism.

Why isn’t the Eucharist to be treated as baptism in this regard? The early Church uniformly did so, and there doesn’t seem to have been any strong theological reason for the Western Church’s movement away from the practice in the Middle Ages–it seems to have been pragmatic more than anything else (bishops couldn’t get around to confirm everyone, so confirmation became separate from baptism–later, Pope Pius X separated First Communion from confirmation, but did not reunite it with baptism).

Western Catholics are just half-way Baptists in this respect

Edwin

 

[ConstantineTG]

There are rites within the Roman Catholic Church that allow infants to receive the Eucharist after Baptism… Easter Rite’s I believe. The Latin rite uses confession as the entry to the Eucharist, while the Eastern rite uses Baptism. Even within the Latin right the age will vary from diocese to diocese. Some as low as 7, others say 12

Note that the Eastern Churches are not within the Roman Church. We are of equal stature and dignity with the Roman Church and are Churches on our own.

 

[Vico]

There are rites within the Roman Catholic Church that allow infants to receive the Eucharist after Baptism… Easter Rite’s I believe. The Latin rite uses confession as the entry to the Eucharist, while the Eastern rite uses Baptism. Even within the Latin right the age will vary from diocese to diocese. Some as low as 7, others say 12

In the Eastern Catholic churches it is normal to give infant baptism, followed immediately with Chrismation (Confirmation). The infant is then able to receive the Holy Eucharist (in the form of the Holy Blood of Christ). This same sacramental order of those three is to be restored in the Latin Church, but as you mention, Chrismation and First Communion come later, but also First Penance must preceed First Communion. What is ideal that the Latin Church is working towards is infant baptism, then at the age of reason, Penance, Confirmation, and Holy Eucharist, in that order.
Therefore, all baptized persons who have reached the age of reason should be appropriately prepared and receive the Sacrament of Confirmation before the reception of the Holy Eucharist. …In the Diocese of Phoenix as of May 15th, 2005 established the reception of Confirmation and First Eucharist in the Third grade.
ewtn.com/library/BISHOPS/ordsacinit.htm

Catechism (CCC) 1310
To receive Confirmation one must be in a state of grace. One should receive the sacrament of Penance in order to be cleansed for the gift of the Holy Spirit. More intense prayer should prepare one to receive the strength and graces of the Holy Spirit with docility and readiness to act. [128]

**Catechism (CCC) 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]

 

[starsmurf]

What a blessing if this were the deepest wound this man should ever know! I can think of far worse that could happen to an individual and not being able to remember the day of his 1st Communion really, really isn’t such a big deal. Holy Communion should always be an extraordinary sacramental experience and it is an extraordinary sacramental experience. The importance of a “First Holy Communion” with the entire family in attendance and a white garment and a reception in the park with a cake and big gifts really is a rather cultural event.

That is exactly what my friend is saying, it should be an extraordinary sacramental experience, his was not because he was too little to understand what was going on. The cultural bits you mention are the only bits appreciated by a four year old.

As for your remark about it being the deepest wound a man could ever know, this same friend watched his father die from cancer as a teenager, his sister become a drug addict and prostitute, and then his mother fight a long battle with cancer, resulting in her death when he was only 24. I did not say it was the most painful thing he had been through, only that the wound was a deep one and not something that he can just shrug off.

 

[CastillianRose]

It is one of the most special days in a person’s life, and if it is something they experience when they are very young, they won’t have any real understanding or appreciation of what is happening…I beg you not to, the pain my friend endures is a deep wound.

Thank you for your (name removed by moderator)ut! My reason for asking is as follows:

While I certainly cannot remember my first communion, I do remember the grace and love of God that I experienced as a child from the communions. That memory has served as a compass to help me gauge what is important in life and what is not. I will be eternally grateful to my mom for this. At the time, my mom lived in the USSR and had just started to believe in God after a life of atheism. She approached an Orthodox priest and asked, “What should I do so that my child will be raised with God?” He answered, “Take the child to communion as often as you can. If you can go every day, let her receive communion every day.”

If I ever have children, I would like to be able to give them the same opportunities that I had been given. In the case of your friend, I agree that feeling left out, especially in something so special as receiving Jesus for the first time, can be painful. However, I do wonder whether his early communions had played a role in his decision to serve God.

 

[CastillianRose]

If you are considering becoming Catholic and are Orthodox now, then you automatically will belong to an Eastern Catholic Church, even if you convert in a Roman/Latin rite parish. Because of the fact that you would canonically be eastern, you children would most likely be able to receive communion as infants.

I work in a Roman parish, and my children receive communion, they are currently ages 2 and 3 1/2.

Thank you! Just to make sure I understood correctly: even if I attend a Roman parish, my children may receive communion at a young age? Is there anything special I need to do for this (eg, request the bishop’s permission, etc)?

 

[Phemie]

That is exactly what my friend is saying, it should be an extraordinary sacramental experience, his was not because he was too little to understand what was going on. The cultural bits you mention are the only bits appreciated by a four year old.

Call me a cynic, but I’ve noticed that if you ask most First Communicants “What makes today so special?” the last thing you’ll hear is that they received Jesus. It doesn’t matter if they’re 5 or 10.

 

[PatriceA]

Thank you! Just to make sure I understood correctly: even if I attend a Roman parish, my children may receive communion at a young age? Is there anything special I need to do for this (eg, request the bishop’s permission, etc)?

Wouldn’t it be more prudent to wait until you have children and see what their temperment is like and consult a priest on when it is best for the child to receive the sacraments? What was best for you as a child, may not be what is going to be best for your future children. My niece was clearly not ready to receive FHC and was held back a year. Some children just are not ready in their spiritual formation to receive the sacraments at even the typical age of most other Catholics. I think you’re jumping the gun and God may have a completely different timeline than what you are planning for your future children and their spiritual formation.

 

[Corki]

Thank you! Just to make sure I understood correctly: even if I attend a Roman parish, my children may receive communion at a young age? Is there anything special I need to do for this (eg, request the bishop’s permission, etc)?

When you have children, you would go over all of this with the priest when preparing for the childs Baptism. It doent’ need the bishop’s permission but not all Latin rite priests are familiar with Eastern Sacramental practices. He may need to get some extra advice.

 

[Aramis]

There are rites within the Roman Catholic Church that allow infants to receive the Eucharist after Baptism… Easter Rite’s I believe. The Latin rite uses confession as the entry to the Eucharist, while the Eastern rite uses Baptism. Even within the Latin right the age will vary from diocese to diocese. Some as low as 7, others say 12

Try “The Eastern Rites”…

Byzantine, Alexandrian, Chaldean, Syrian, and Armenian Rites.

 

[ConstantineTG]

Thank you! Just to make sure I understood correctly: even if I attend a Roman parish, my children may receive communion at a young age? Is there anything special I need to do for this (eg, request the bishop’s permission, etc)?

It will depend on the priest if he will let your child receive. Why not go to an Eastern Catholic parish? There will be no questions asked there

 

[ConstantineTG]

Wouldn’t it be more prudent to wait until you have children and see what their temperment is like and consult a priest on when it is best for the child to receive the sacraments? What was best for you as a child, may not be what is going to be best for your future children. My niece was clearly not ready to receive FHC and was held back a year. Some children just are not ready in their spiritual formation to receive the sacraments at even the typical age of most other Catholics. I think you’re jumping the gun and God may have a completely different timeline than what you are planning for your future children and their spiritual formation.

Ready for what? When we receive Communion we receive Christ. I don’t know where all this “we should wait until the child can understand” is coming from, its sounds very Protestant to me. Honestly, we have applied it to every Sacrament except Baptism and I believe the only reason for that is we’re afraid that the Protestants will say, “aha! We were right all along!” But the ancient tradition upheld by the Eastern Rites is that the Sacraments of Initiation go together at the same time, whenever the person is initiated into the faith.