Many young children at my church partake in Communion. The thought behind it, I think, is that the body and blood of Christ still provide the grace of the sacrament weather the child knows this or not. I believe its also true that you have to have confessed your sins and been forgiven which is why the penitential rite is performed before communion in most Anglican Churches.To receive Holy Communion in the Episcopal Church, one must have been baptized in the name of the Holy Trinity (excluding LDS because of differences in the understanding of the Trinity). Canon I.17.7: “No unbaptized person shall be eligible to receive Holy Communion in this Church.”
My particular parish states in our bulletin that “All those who have been baptized in the name of the Holy Trinity and believe in the real presence of Christ in the Blessed Sacrament for the remission of sins may receive.” (My wording may be a little off, I can’t remember what it says verbatim.)
That being said, there is no official structure in the Episcopal Church for First Holy Communion, although I know of many parishes that do have classes for children when they reach a certain age (7 or 8) to prepare them to receive communion and they receive First Communion together at the end of the process.
Of what I understand, the Anglican Church of North America (ACNA) has the same rules regarding receiving communion per their canons “2. No one shall receive the Sacrament of Holy Communion except they be baptized, with water, in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit; 4. The admission of baptized young children to the Holy Communion is permitted in this Province; 5. Members in good standing of other branches of Christ’s Church, who have been baptized, with water, in the Name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, are welcomed to receive the Sacrament of Holy Communion. The qualifications concerning rightly and worthily receiving the Supper of the Lord with faith are provided in Article XXVIII of the Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion.”
nhylan, I agree and many of the children at my parish receive as well. It is ultimately up to the parents to help decide when their children are ready and understand what they are to receive. My parish is not one of those with a more “set” first communion structure, although I know of several parishes who do (they tend to be parishes with a significant number of young families that come from a Roman Catholic background).Many young children at my church partake in Communion. The thought behind it, I think, is that the body and blood of Christ still provide the grace of the sacrament weather the child knows this or not. I believe its also true that you have to have confessed your sins and been forgiven which is why the penitential rite is performed before communion in most Anglican Churches.
Yea, I agree. Our parish has quite a few former Roman Catholic families and I believe we have a first communion service offered but more emphasis is placed on confirmation. I’m in the North-east and just about every active parish is full of young Roman Catholic families.nhylan, I agree and many of the children at my parish receive as well. It is ultimately up to the parents to help decide when their children are ready and understand what they are to receive. My parish is not one of those with a more “set” first communion structure, although I know of several parishes who do (they tend to be parishes with a significant number of young families that come from a Roman Catholic background).
I likewise agree that one must confess their sins before receiving communion, quoting from the catechism of the Episcopal Church “Q. What is required of us when we come to the Eucharist?
A. It is required that we should examine our lives, repent
of our sins, and be in love and charity with all people.”
Is that something other then the United Methodist? They are open and allow all believers, there is no baptism requirement.In my Methodist church, you just have to be a baptized believer in Christ.
Bernadette, I find it quite inappropriate for you to enter into a discussion concerning requirements for communion in different churches only to have your post devolve into an attack on another church. You could have simply stated what took place at your previous Anglican parish, which is informative and pertinent to this thread, and left it at that.I have noticed that the Episcopal church has changed much over the years. Before I was an Anglo Catholic, I attended a low church. We were not allowed to receive Holy Communion until we were Confirmed. It was a long process and we were tested orally before we could be Confirmed and receive Holy Communion. Of course there was no real confession of sins, as the General Confession is not for mortal sins.
Now anyone can receive. I recall reading an article and I don’t recall if it pertains to TEC or just a diocese that everyone is welcome, whether Christian or not.
It seems to be a sad commentary on where TEC is going, besides all the bishops and priests who really don’t believe in the Risen Lord.
I understand that many laypeople still believe in orthodox Christian beliefs, however, more and more of TEC’s leadership doesn’t. The Continuing Anglican groups will be growing much larger as TEC keeps turning away from the fundamentals of the Christian faith.
Yours in the Hearts of Jesus and Mary
Bernadette
Sorry if it offended you, I just don’t recognize my former church and it does sadden me.Bernadette, I find it quite inappropriate for you to enter into a discussion concerning requirements for communion in different churches only to have your post devolve into an attack on another church. You could have simply stated what took place at your previous Anglican parish, which is informative and pertinent to this thread, and left it at that.
I understand that you are an Anglican convert to the Catholic Church, and I wish you nothing but the best in that regard, but there was no reason for you to have written nearly half of that post, the content of which likely violates forum rules as well.
I accept your apology; and to respond to a point made in your earlier post, any parish that allows non-baptized persons to receive the Blessed Sacrament are in direct violation of the Canons of the Episcopal Church (Canon I.17.7 noted supra). Granted, I’m sure there are random parishes which proceed in blatant disregard of this rule, but there are likewise Catholic parishes in which liturgical abuse takes place (as there is in some Episcopal parishes as well).Sorry if it offended you, I just don’t recognize my former church and it does sadden me.
I am glad that you are in a solid parish. Again I am sorry that my post was not appropriate for those who are members of my former church.
Bernadette