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Donna Marie
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| Posted: March 16 2012 at 11:38am | IP Logged
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You would think that I would know the answer to this question by now...but how do you determine whether or not your child is ready for First Penance and First Holy Communion?
For us, we had 3 girls that seemed ready at 7 and 3 boys that definitely needed to wait until age 8. Now I have a 7yodd and I am just not sure...
What are your thoughts?
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Donna Marie from NJ
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JodieLyn
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| Posted: March 16 2012 at 11:41am | IP Logged
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My thought is that Byzantine Catholics are in communion with Rome and they recieve First Communion, Confirmation and Baptism at the same time as infants.. there is rarely any reason I can think of to withhold the graces recieved through the sacraments.
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CatholicMommy
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| Posted: March 16 2012 at 12:50pm | IP Logged
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I agree with Jodie :)
But since we do wait in the Western branch of the Church - the most primary thing is "can the child show respect for what they are receiving in Holy Communion? Do they understand they are receiving Jesus' Body and Blood?"
For Reconciliation - it could be a different TIME altogether - before or after - years, months or days in between. If a child feels true contrition and wants to make amends, THAT is the ideal time to do it.
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DominaCaeli
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| Posted: March 16 2012 at 5:29pm | IP Logged
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I am wondering about this as well. We attend the TLM, and our priest (from the Institute of Christ the King) encourages children as young as five to start catechism classes with him to prepare for the Sacrament--he has no problem giving FHC to children at that age. I have two 5yos, and we have chosen to wait a little longer before sending them to the class for various reasons, but they will likely receive their FHC at age six at the latest.
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KC in TX
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| Posted: March 16 2012 at 6:01pm | IP Logged
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Donna Marie, my oldest (he has autism) was 10 when he received FHC. Did he know everything? No. But, he did know that there was the real presence of Christ. He knew better than anyone. I figure that with all the religion education we do in our home, he would eventually get it all. And, he has. He'll be ready for confirmation around age 15. I'm thrilled. 
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guitarnan
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| Posted: March 16 2012 at 10:19pm | IP Logged
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In my archdiocese the norm is for children to make their First Confession before First Communion. Parents may request an exemption but these exemptions are "rare," according to archdiocesan guidelines. (Parents are the determiner of readiness for both sacraments, per the archdiocese, but the pastor and catechetical director are the ones who may grant an exemption.)
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JodieLyn
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| Posted: March 16 2012 at 11:27pm | IP Logged
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Ah.. I think I finally figured out a way to get the search to find what I wanted...
here's a past thread with a lovely post by Jenn
Delay FHC?
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Jodie, wife to Dave
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MaryM
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| Posted: March 16 2012 at 11:43pm | IP Logged
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I know it veers away from the original question, but since it has come up just a clarification regarding Sacrament of Reconciliation before or after reception of First Communion. The Church does actually state that having made sacramental confession is a requirement to reception of First Communion.
Code of Canon Law wrote:
| Can. 914 It is primarily the duty of parents and those who take the place of parents, as well as the duty of pastors, to take care that children who have reached the use of reason are prepared properly and, after they have made sacramental confession, are refreshed with this divine food as soon as possible. It is for the pastor to exercise vigilance so that children who have not attained the use of reason or whom he judges are not sufficiently disposed do not approach holy communion. |
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Catechism of the Catholic Church wrote:
| 1457 According to the Church's command, "after having attained the age of discretion, each of the faithful is bound by an obligation faithfully to confess serious sins at least once a year." Anyone who is aware of having committed a mortal sin must not receive Holy Communion, even if he experiences deep contrition, without having first received sacramental absolution, unless he has a grave reason for receiving Communion and there is no possibility of going to confession. Children must go to the sacrament of Penance before receiving Holy Communion for the first time. |
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It was common in many diocese for many years to have moved the sacrament of Reconciliation to after First Communion, but this was considered an experiment and has been directed to stop. Whether or not particular diocese did this when asked varies.
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Maggie
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| Posted: March 23 2012 at 3:53pm | IP Logged
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We just struggled with this this past year. Happily, my dd will be receiving her First Holy Communion this May! She is 6, but will turn 7 the week before her FHC.
I strongly encourage you to read the Document by Pope Pius regarding WHY the FHC age was changed.
It was this document that really opened our eyes...
Particularly the section where Pope Pius draws on Thomas Aquainas's theology...in simplistic terms, if a child knows right from wrong, and can distinguish the Holy Bread of the Eucharist from regular bread, he is ready.
Additionally, the document is very firm regarding that at some point, parents become obliged to adhere to God's Laws...meaning, that there is no specific age set in stone by the Vatican, for good reason. But if your child is ready and is only being withheld because of age, then the onus of responsibility is on the parents to make sure the Sacraments are conferred. Of course, all this needs to be done in humility and deference to your pastor.
Our diocese does have a set in stone policy. However, My dd is doing "second grade" work at a young age...and so...that was the qualifier for us...However, the priest was sympathetic...especially since we came into his office with Quam Singularli. Not many people do that, I guess. 
For the record, we are the first home schoolers at this parish...so no precedent of friendliness had ever been set.
Please read the document thoroughly and slowly. Then pray on it. Then read it again. Then pray some more.
It will become clear what is best for your family.
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Topic: First Communion Readiness?
