Question for EMHCs

[a_pilgrim]

Hi, all!

I posted this question as part of a different thread, but I think it kinda got lost…

In the Eastern Catholic Churches, infants usually receive three Holy Mysteries (Sacraments) in the same ceremony - Baptism, Chrismation (Confirmation) and Holy Eucharist. Since this ceremony represents the infant’s “First Holy Communion,” that child is eligible to receive the Eucharist in any Catholic Church from that point on, despite his/her youthful age.

As an EMHC, how did your training address the potential that an Eastern Catholic family with children may have occasion to visit your parish? How would you, as an EMHC, respond if a toddler or even an infant in parents’ arms were to approach you for the Eucharist?

a pilgrim

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

No one who presents themselves is to be refused Holy Communion. Except those who the pastor has specifically forbidden. So if a five year old presents themselves in a proper manner they would be given the Blessed Sacrament. I would hope that they might introduce themselves before hand to someone so that the family could be asked to approach a specific person for Holy Communion and the EMHC might be alerted to the fact… I had once a older middle eastern man come up to me with arms crossed. I of course assumed he did not receive and wanted a blessing. But after the blessing he did not move. He did not tilt his head or open his mouth. That is until I picked up a host and held it in front of him and said “The Body of Christ”, then he closed his eyes bowed his head and then opened his mouth to receive.

After speaking with the pastor later he confirmed that the man was from an Eastern Rite and that they folded their arms instead of folding their hands. Exactly like we do for a blessing and that they only receive on their tongue but do not open their mouth until they are presented the host. Needless to say it was a little confusing the first time.

 

[TableServant]

This is not only true of our Eastern Rite brothers and sisters, but also of Roman Catholics in regions of Latin America and the Philipines as well. Infants may be baptized and receive communion at the same ceremony.

I have said in the past to some who have asked, that we “don’t card at the table”, and we don’t. That doesn’t mean that I’m not doing some discernment when someone does not present themselves in the manner that is expected for communion. It does mean that if someone presents themselves properly, and I have no cause to question them (ex: if I am at a wedding and the Seventh day Adventist brother-in-law comes up in the communion line after saying openly that he doesn’t care what the church teaches), I will give them communion.

Given your experience, Br. Rich, I would probably be a bit confused as well, at first.

Generally, my areas of confusion are with long absent Catholics returning for a wedding or baptism, or with very young children who might present themselves ambiguously - with hands almost out and mouth almost open (not to say that this hasn’t happened with adults, at times).