Preparation for Vigil - practice

[PDXSeeker_1975]

In our last RCIA session before the Easter Vigil (Tuesday night) we had a run through where we practiced receiving Holy Eucharist with the same (unconsecrated) elements used in Mass. I didn’t really see it as an issue since a priest had not spoken the words of consecration over the bread and wine, but I just wanted to be sure there wasn’t some prohibition or potential issue with this that anyone is aware of.

 

[G_S]

There is no problem or restriction. You simply received a piece of bread. I do think it may not be wise to do so with children, however. I think they can be confused. That’s just an opinion.

 

[SMHW]

There is no problem so long as everyone understands that these are just the unconsecrated elements.

People (children in particular) have been practicing receiving the Eucharist for decades (and probably centuries).

Back when I received my First Communion we did not receive the Precious Blood but we did have to receive on the tongue. Sister Mary Jean Patrice had us practice until we held our tongues out just the right amount. Once we could hold our tongues properly we practiced receiving unconsecrated hosts. (I can’t speak for my fellow second graders but it was clear to me that we were practicing with mere bread.)

My poor friend evidently just couldn’t hold out her tongue correctly because Sister made her practice over and over and over and over…

 

[G_S]

There is no problem so long as everyone understands that these are just the unconsecrated elements.

People (children in particular) have been practicing receiving the Eucharist for decades (and probably centuries).

…

I received my First Communion in 1959. There was no practicing with unconsecrated host then. So… decades not centuries. Necco wafers, yes. Unconsecrated hosts, no.

 

[marytk]

I received my First Communion in 1959. There was no practicing with unconsecrated host then. So… decades not centuries. Necco wafers, yes. Unconsecrated hosts, no.

We didn’t practice with anything. We may have practiced kneeling and sticking out a toungue I am sure the practice varies from place to place

 

[paperwight66]

In our last RCIA session before the Easter Vigil (Tuesday night) we had a run through where we practiced receiving Holy Eucharist with the same (unconsecrated) elements used in Mass. I didn’t really see it as an issue since a priest had not spoken the words of consecration over the bread and wine, but I just wanted to be sure there wasn’t some prohibition or potential issue with this that anyone is aware of.

It worries me that you are worried. There is nothing holy or special about the wafers and wine before they are consecrated. Anyone can buy them. Indeed, I believe in some countries, the offcuts from the wafers are sold in corner-shops for a snack.

 

[CatholicZ09]

When I practiced for my First Holy Communion when I was in second grade, we practiced with unconsecrated hosts and wine. The purpose of doing so (especially at the second grade age) was so that we knew what to do with the Eucharistic species. My CCD teachers were really adamant about receiving the Body and Blood properly, and they didn’t want it to be a circus when the time actually came. Utmost reverence when receiving Jesus Christ in the Eucharist is essential.

The same thing is happening in your case. The RCIA director doesn’t want you to be caught off-guard. Since this is your first time receiving, he or she wants to make sure that you know what to do with the Body and Blood of Christ.

 

[PrayPsalm51]

Welcome to the church!!!
The one year I didn’t do a practice with my 2nd grade class we had all sorts of wrinkled noses and faces. Kids (and adults) are typically surprised by the taste/texture etc. It’s better to practice. I’d like to do a run through with our whole church to remind everyone of the proper etiquitte

 

[1ke]

In our last RCIA session before the Easter Vigil (Tuesday night) we had a run through where we practiced receiving Holy Eucharist with the same (unconsecrated) elements used in Mass. I didn’t really see it as an issue since a priest had not spoken the words of consecration over the bread and wine, but I just wanted to be sure there wasn’t some prohibition or potential issue with this that anyone is aware of.

I am curious (and concerned) as to why you became **worried **about this and why you do not trust your priest?

 

[namax91]

I received my First Communion in 1959. There was no practicing with unconsecrated host then. So… decades not centuries. Necco wafers, yes. Unconsecrated hosts, no.

I know when I received my First Communion in 2000 as a child at my school we practiced with unconsecrated hosts. So maybe it’s a post-Vatican II thing?

When I practiced for my First Holy Communion when I was in second grade, we practiced with unconsecrated hosts and wine.

You drank wine at school? I can’t imagine that happening these days, even if it’s just a sip in order to practice for First Holy Communion. Interesting how times have changed. At school we didn’t practice for receiving the Precious Blood at all. I practiced at home with Cherry 7-Up.

Back when I received my First Communion we did not receive the Precious Blood but we did have to receive on the tongue. Sister Mary Jean Patrice had us practice until we held our tongues out just the right amount. Once we could hold our tongues properly we practiced receiving unconsecrated hosts. (I can’t speak for my fellow second graders but it was clear to me that we were practicing with mere bread.)

My poor friend evidently just couldn’t hold out her tongue correctly because Sister made her practice over and over and over and over…

This is going to make some people on here crazy, but I had to practice over and over again at home with Necco wafers because I could never remember which hand goes on top when receiving in the hand (I now prefer to receive on the tongue anyway.).

 

[CatholicZ09]

You drank wine at school? I can’t imagine that happening these days, even if it’s just a sip in order to practice for First Holy Communion. Interesting how times have changed. At school we didn’t practice for receiving the Precious Blood at all. I practiced at home with Cherry 7-Up.

My CCD teachers wanted us to know how wine tasted. They didn’t want us to act repulsed when we actually received the Blood.