Question about distributing communion?

[Sir_Knight]

I’m an EMHC who ministers to the sick & homebound and SOMETIMES (rarely) distributes at mass. Therefore, I tend to watch how the priests, deacons and other EMHC distribute communion for the purpose of seeing how they handle exceptions so that if I encounter a similar situation, I will know what the proper course of action will be.

For example, one time a woman went to receive communion with gloves on and the priest would not give her the host in her hand but instead indicated that she should receive on the tongue.

Anyway, this past Sunday I observed something which I don’t think was handled properly and it left me wondering what the proper course of action would have been if it happened to me.

A young child approached our pastor for communion with her hands in the proper position with an older woman (I assume it to be the mother) behind her. The Priest gave the girl communion and she turned around and handed the host to her mother.

The pastor’s jaw dropped and so did the mother’s. Looking at both her mother and then the priest again, the girl quickly put the host in her mouth and walked away. Then, as the priest handed the communion to the mother, he shook he head at her.

Obviously, I don’t know for sure what was going on but I’m drawing the following conclusions. Based on the child’s size and her lack of knownledge as to what to do with the host, I am concluding that she never made her first holy communion and should not have received.

This became even more obvious when she attempted to hand the host to her mother.

If faced with a similar circumstance and I was the one distributing communion, what would have been the proper action for me to take?

 

[Brenda_V]

Not to worry overly much about this but, what my Priest does with those who are small he will get confirmation from them verbally (“have you made your First Communion”) or from the parents if he made eye contact with them. Our children all go up for a blessing from Father during communion but most cross their arms over their chests so he knows to bless instead of offer Communion. He eventually gets to know which children (especially those who are small for their size) have made their first communions or not.

I have to tell you that my own Godson when he was about 5 had observed everyone in his family receiving enough times that he finally decided that it was his turn so he followed his mom up for Communion and did everything right (he knew he was receiving Jesus too!) His mom found out because he was so very excited and she talked to the Priest, after talking to me about it (my advise, call the Priest) and was told not to worry about it, just make sure he understands that until he has made his first Confession he should not receive again.

You can also find others whose children have done the same - do a search for that subject on the CAF.

Brenda V.

 

[puzzleannie]

if our priest or deacon see a very petite child they simply ask, have you already made your first communion, and we do have some very petite 3rd graders, so it does happen. In some seasons we do get visitors who are obviously clueless and ushers and EMHCs are supposed to watch out for those who take but do not consume etc. I have followed families outside and down the street myself. My role in this is to watch for gum in the mouth, and my parish is used to seeing me walk around with a paper cup chasing offenders

Our priest and deacon also halt the line and make sure a situation such as described above is corrected before the people leave their “station”. at one point Father covered the ciborium, gave it to another minister and took the family aside to speak to them. he did not resume distributing until they left. yes it is that serious at least to him. on such occasions, and fall seems to be the big time for them, he will also preach from the pulpit on proper reception etc.