Some people are implying that adults can receive Communion now because they received First Holy Communion as children. That is not how it works. There is no such rite as “First Holy Communion”. First Communion is simply a convention that people in some countries observer as a solemn occasion of the first time a child receives Holy Communion.
If someone were baptized Catholic but never received First Holy Communion, as an adult they would still be able to go to Confession and then receive Holy Communion for the first time. …
It is true that there is no liturgical book on “First Holy Communion” as there is one for Confirmation. But there are still instructions on First Communion, for example, in the 2004 Instruction Redemptionis Sacramentum:
“[87.] The First Communion of children must always be preceded by sacramental confession and absolution.[169] Moreover First Communion should always be administered by a Priest and never outside the celebration of Mass. Apart from exceptional cases, it is not particularly appropriate for First Communion to be administered on Holy Thursday of the Lord’s Supper. Another day should be chosen instead, such as a Sunday between the Second and the Sixth Sunday of Easter, or the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ, or the Sundays of Ordinary Time, since Sunday is rightly regarded as the day of the Eucharist.[170] “Children who have not attained the age of reason, or those whom” the Parish Priest “has determined to be insufficiently prepared” should not come forward to receive the Holy Eucharist.[171] Where it happens, however, that a child who is exceptionally mature for his age is judged to be ready for receiving the Sacrament, the child must not be denied First Communion provided he has received sufficient instruction.” (From
vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/ccdds/documents/rc_con_ccdds_doc_20040423_redemptionis-sacramentum_en.html ).
So I disagree that “First Communion is simply a convention that people in some countries observer as a solemn occasion …”. The above instructions apply in all countries.
According to the liturgical book “Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults”:
“376. The following pastoral guidelines concern adults who were baptised as infants but did not receive further catechetical formation nor, consequently, the sacraments of confirmation and eucharist. …”
“377 As in the case of catechumens, the preparation of these adults requires a considerable time (see no. 76), during which the faith infused in baptism must grow in them and take deep root through the pastoral formation they receive. A programme of training, catechesis suited to their needs, contact with the community of the faithful, and participation in certain liturgical rites are needed in order to strengthen them in the Christian life.”
“378 For the most part the plan of catechesis corresponds to the one laid down for catechumens (see no. 75,1). …”
“380 A sponsor presents these adults to the community (see no. 10). During the period of their catechetical formation, they all choose godparents (a godfather, a godmother, or both) approved by the priest. …”.
“381 The period of preparation is made holy by means of liturgical celebrations. …”
(From Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults Study Edition, E.J. Dwyer, Sydney, 1987, ISBN 0855741643, page 223. The RCIA introductions for England and Wales, are at
liturgyoffice.org.uk/Resources/Rites/RiteRitual.html . The USA edition has different paragraph numbers.)
Regarding the question in the first post, about people in the class receiving communion. Perhaps there is a misunderstanding about who these people are. Maybe they are sponsors or godparents involved in the class, rather than catechumens.
