Who can administer First Communion?

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Who can administer First Communion? Some Catholic churches in our area have deacons and lay people do this. Can the bishop overrule the following:

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.”

Is there any other document I can refer to?

Thank you!
 
Hiromu said:
Who can administer First Communion? Some Catholic churches in our area have deacons and lay people do this. Can the bishop overrule the following:

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.”

Is there any other document I can refer to?

Thank you!
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All I can say is look at the footnote for that paragraph. In my opinion the Pastor himself should always celebrate First Holy Communion when that is possible for him to do so.
 
The footnote refers to John Paul II Apostolic Letter, Dies Domini, 31 May 1998. It does not address the administering of First Communion.
 
I don’t think that the OP went far enough in his quote from Redemptionis Sacramentum. The OP stopped before he hit the one crucial sentence that makes a difference. Here is what it says regarding who can administer First Holy Communion:
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.
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There’s your answer right there.
 
I agree that First Communion should always be administered by a priest, and if possible, the pastor. We have close to 100 plus children making their First Communion. I would rather see the pastor bring in other priests from the area to administer the Blessed Eucharist instead of bringing in deacons and extraordinary ministers.

I want to make sure that there was not anything that the USCCB changed to give a pastor or bishop permission to override Redemptionis Sacramentum.

Stranger things have happened.
 
Hiromu said:
I agree that First Communion should always be administered by a priest, and if possible, the pastor. We have close to 100 plus children making their First Communion. I would rather see the pastor bring in other priests from the area to administer the Blessed Eucharist instead of bringing in deacons and extraordinary ministers.

I want to make sure that there was not anything that the USCCB changed to give a pastor or bishop permission to override Redemptionis Sacramentum.

Stranger things have happened.
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It’s wonderful that you have 100 children receiving First Holy Communion this year.

Now, because Redemptionis Sacramentum is the document that outlines liturgical abuses, it is highly unlikely (in fact, close to nil) that the USCCB is going to do anything to circumvent it. Your pastor may bring in deacons to help with the distribution of Holy Communion to the rest of the faithful, but, as RS states, it corresponds to the priest to be the one to personally administer First Holy Communion to these children.
 
Hiromu said:
The footnote refers to John Paul II Apostolic Letter, Dies Domini, 31 May 1998. It does not address the administering of First Communion.
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I think your copy of Redemptionis Sacramentum has the footnotes mixed up. In the copy I am using, footnote 169 is:
“Cf. Code of Canon Law, can. 914; S. Congregation for the Discipline of the Sacraments, Declaration, Sanctus Pontifex, diei 24 maii 1973: AAS 65 (1973) p. 410; S. Congregation for the Sacraments and Divine Worship and S. Congregation for the Clergy, Letter to the Presidents of the Bishops’ Conferences. Episcoporum, In quibusdam, 31 March 1977: Enchiridion Documentorum Instaurationis Liturgicae, II, pp. 142-144; S. Congregation for the Sacraments and Divine Worship and S. Congregation for the Clergy, Response to dubium, 20 May 1977: AAS 69 (1977) p. 427.”
Footnote 170 is the Dies Domini one.

I am fairly sure that all the documents in footnote 169 are about the need for the Sacrament of Reconciliation before first communion (unless it is just after baptism).

I think the 2004 Instruction Redemptionis Sacramentum is the first document to require that a First Communion be given by a priest in Mass.

In a report on a decree of the Sacred Congregation of the Sacraments, 8 August, 1910, “Quam singulari” at newadvent.org/cathen/12590b.htm it has under the heading “Abuses following from errors”:
“denying the Viaticum to dying children who had not received their first Communion, and burying these as infants, thereby depriving them of the suffrages of the Church, to which they were entitled (“utterly detestable”, “ordinaries to proceed severely against these”).”

To quote from the decree at ewtn.com/library/CURIA/CDWFIRST.htm:
“8. The practice of not administering the Viaticum and Extreme Unction to children who have attained the use of reason, and of burying them with the rite used for infants is a most intolerable abuse. The Ordinary should take very severe measures against those who do not give up the practice.”

Does the 2004 Instruction Redemptionis Sacramentum deny “Viaticum Outside Mass” to children who have not made a First Communion in Mass? I doubt it.

It has in n. 87: “Moreover First Communion should always be administered by a Priest and never outside the celebration of Mass.”

Here (perhaps) “First Communion” does not mean “Viaticum”. Code of Canon Law, canon 913 §2 has: “The blessed Eucharist may, however, be administered to children in danger of death if they can distinguish the Body of Christ from ordinary food and receive communion with reverence.” (The Code of Canon Law: New revised English Translation, HarperCollins Liturgical, 1997, ISBN 000599375X.) Redemptionis Sacramentum does not refer to this, as though attempting to change it. I think this canon shows a diffferent standard for a child in danger of death than for a normal child.

The Introduction to the liturgical book “Pastoral Care of the Sick” has “27. All baptized Christians who are able to receive communion are bound to receive viaticum by reason of the precept to receive communion when in danger of death from any cause.” Regarding Anointing of the Sick it has: “12. Sick children are to be annointed if they have sufficient use of reason to be strengthened by this sacrament.” The Code of Canon Law has in Canon 921: “Christ’s faithful who are in danger of death, from whatever cause, are to be strengthened by holy communion as Viaticum.”
 
Hiromu said:
I agree that First Communion should always be administered by a priest, and if possible, the pastor. We have close to 100 plus children making their First Communion. I would rather see the pastor bring in other priests from the area to administer the Blessed Eucharist instead of bringing in deacons and extraordinary ministers.

I want to make sure that there was not anything that the USCCB changed to give a pastor or bishop permission to override Redemptionis Sacramentum.

Stranger things have happened.
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It does not seem like a huge undertaking to give Holy Communion to 100 children!
 
the problem lies with the increasingly common practice of seating the children with their families, rather than as a class, throughout the congregation as the layout of the church dictates, and them approaching with their families. If there is only one priest, and hence one “station” for them, the logistics get complicated. I have had to be very creative in resolving conflicting dictates of “the rules”. If I seat the children properly, a visiting priest is likely to upset the plan by distributing from another “station” (no, I don’t know ahead of time when this will happen, I am out of the loop). we do our best, and I hate looking like one of those busybody church ladies who is trying to “run” the Mass but sometimes I have to direct traffic.
 
The First Communicants all sit in the first pews. You have 100 children, reserve the first 6 rows on each side of the center isle, this will be PLENTY of room for 100 Children and a few of their teachers.

The children leave the pew, go to the center isle, and Father distributes to each of them. Will take fewer than 10 minutes for Father to distribute to each of those Children ( and that is giving AMPLE time for each of the Children).

The others in the Parish will not die from adding an extra 10 minutes to Mass. 🙂
 
kage_ar said:
The First Communicants all sit in the first pews. You have 100 children, reserve the first 6 rows on each side of the center isle, this will be PLENTY of room for 100 Children and a few of their teachers.
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no in our church this would fill the entire church leaving no room for family. and in any case, in this diocese the form which respects the role of parents in bringing their children to the sacraments is preferred to the “classroom” basis.

and yes your system would work if the priest would do it that way, or if he was willing to have a special Mass for 1st communion, or if all this involved were instructed that this is the form, but otherwise, no it won’t work.
 
Yes, we do have a special separate Sunday Afternoon Mass for 1st Communion AND all of the parents have attended required meetings to know this is how it will work (except for the no photo’s thing - THAT is my wishful thinking).
 
we have the kids sit seperatly from the parents but go up together to receive communion. The kids meet the parents in the ailse as they leave the pew (takes a lot of coordination and strict seating arrangements). As the family approcahes the sanctuary the child receives communion from the priest with the parents watching and as the kid turns to the right to go back to his or her pew, the parents go to another priest or minister to the left of the priest administering to the kids, so they can receive - IF THEY WANT TO. This is important because we have found that if they all go to the main celebrant to receive, the parents feel obligated to receive, even if they shouldn’t. This way the parents can be with their child has he or she receives and then can receive from antoher minister or simply pass by and return to their pew. It works for us…and yes, now we notice a good number of parents who are not receiving.
 
As one who does baptismal prep, we remind parents often, that if they are not living in a sacramental marriage, if they are in mortal sin, they may not receive communion. They are surprised, when we tell them, don’t you want to reconcile with the church, so that when it is time for your own child to make his/her communion, you will be able also…because they will ask you too.

More often this is the case of the children we are baptizing. I worry so often that these parents or godparents will not live up to those promises either to raise their child Catholic. But at this point, my bishop reminds me and my spiritual director does too, the graces and the spirit of the Holy Spirit are now at work in this baptized child, and through our prayers and the power of the sacrament, a seed may land on fertile soil and grow. That is my prayer and my hope.
 
Thank you for all the responses. I am not necessarily worried about the organizational part. That is done very well.

It is the “abuses” that worry me.

Don’t forget about the plenary indulgence for veneration of our Lady of Lourdes from 2/2 through 2/11.

catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/0706938.htm
 
Devil’s advocate here…The document the OP quoted aside for a moment, what do you say to people who argue that it doesn’t matter who you receive from - it’s the body and blood of our Lord either way and why should receiving it from a priest matter?
Does it?
 
:angel1: To argue as Angel’s Advocate: :angel1:
If we do not follow this rubric, we might as well:


  1. not genuflect to our Lord in the Tabernacle,


    1. not bow before receiving the Precious Body and Blood,


      1. allow non-Catholics to receive our Lord,


        1. allow anyone who believes in Jesus to distribute the host,


          1. have anyone give a homily other than a priest or deacon,


            1. allow the bread to be made of sugar cookies,


              1. etc, etc.
                …
                The Priest is representing Jesus. The first time a child receives the Lord for the first time should be, as Mother Church has instructed, by a priest - not a deacon, not a lay person, not from the child’s parents.
                .
                Mother Church has these rubrics, rules, and laws to protect us and guide our spirituality.
                …
                I shall finish with a great quote from Cardinal Arzine in his introduction to Redemptionis Sacramentum:
                “In view of the article of faith that the Mass is a sacramental re-presentation of the Sacrifice of the Cross (cf Council of Trent: DS 1740) and that in the most blessed sacrament of the Eucharist " the body and blood, together with the soul and divinity, of our Lord Jesus Christ and, therefore, the whole Christ is truly, really and substantially contained” (Council of Trent: DS 1651; cf CCC 1374), it is clear that liturgical norms regarding the Holy Eucharist deserve our attention. They are not meticulous rubrics dictated by legalistically bent minds."
                .
                Please pray for my parish. Our pastor at this point was unaware of Redemptionis Sacramentum and is still proceeding to allow deacons to distribute half of our children’s First Communion.:gopray2: :gopray2: :signofcross: :signofcross:

                …
 
Hiromu said:
Who can administer First Communion? Some Catholic churches in our area have deacons and lay people do this. Can the bishop overrule the following:

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.”

Is there any other document I can refer to?

Thank you!
Click to expand...
Well, in my line of work, there is a difference between using the words “should” and “shall” in official documents. “Should” provides for exceptions and “shall” does not. “Should” really is not enforcable while “shall” is.
 
Hiromu said:
Who can administer First Communion? Some Catholic churches in our area have deacons and lay people do this. Can the bishop overrule the following:

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.”

Is there any other document I can refer to?

Thank you!
Click to expand...
There seems to be two interpretations of the word “administered.” During Mass, the Eucharist is ALWAYS administered by a priest (or bishop). Contrary to what has been posted, I’ve been taught that the distribution may be by a priest (or bishop), deacon, and/or extraordinary minister of Holy Communion. That does not take the administration of the Sacrament from the priest.
As for “never outside the celebration of Mass” – of course we know that this would not apply to those in danger of death, who cannot attend Mass. But it would be terribly sad (and improper) for a priest to bring the Blessed Sacrament to a child’s home (outside of Mass), away from the visible community. I’m glad this rule is in place.
 
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