www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Faith & Theology FIrst Communion Question

Hi all,

First, let me say we are pursuing asking this question of our priest (who has never been in this situation) and a RC priest, but I wondered if any had a similar experience or thoughts here.

My family and I have attended a Byzantine Catholic parish for about 2 years. Both of us are entrenched in Eastern Catholic theology now and very well may formally move to the Byzantine church from the Latin. We want to be cautious and prayerful and make sure we make the decision God wants for us. We may not try to move our children, who were all baptized in the Latin church. Our oldest son is approaching his first communion this year. He has received eastern Catholic formation through the parish, as well as Latin catholic formation (through his elementary school). It is likely for financial reasons he will return to a public school this year, so he will continue in the ECF, but will not be in CRE/Latin education.

So to cut a long post short, how does he go about receiving first communion? I'm assuming he needs to do so in a Latin Catholic parish, but has anyone had experience with that? Do they mind that he has been through EC formation instead of Latin?

Interested Thomas,

Welcome to the Forum!

Obviously, this is a question to be discussed with your pastor.

My personal thought is that the first decision to make is about which Church you and your wife will be making your life in. If you decide to grow spiritually in a Byzantine parish family then it makes sense for you to raise your children there. And if you decide to grow spiritually in a Latin parish family than it makes sense for you to raise your children there.

Generally speaking, I would suggest it is best for your children to receive Eucharist all in the same Church - Latin or Byzantine. Since your oldest son would normally receive the Eucharist with his class in the Latin Church, if you chose to have him receive it in a Byzantine Church then he would likely be given some formation prior to receiving. Only your pastor can advise you in the specifics.

Prayers,

John

I'm in a similar situation. My son took his First Communion in the Roman parish earlier this year, but we are members at the Byzantine parish. I, too, think things should typically be "all or the other" rite, but things aren't always typical. In our case, we have a certain measure of involvement at the Roman parish (preschool, community events, etc.), so we aren't total strangers there. I just had a conversation with the pastors of both parishes, laid out our situation, and the Roman pastor gave the OK for our son to do First Communion there. Whatever the particulars of your situation, you'll just have to ask the two pastors.

This also depends on the policies of the Latin diocese.

In some places, First Communion is not even formally recorded in the baptismal or other parish registers. (It's not required that it be formally recorded according to the universal law Latin canon law.)

Depending on the policies of the local Latin diocese, there may not be any procedural requirement for First Communion.

Thank you all for your comments and thoughts! Of course we will seek advice if both pastors but occasionally (especially on the Latin side) it is good to hear what others have experienced and what has been applicable in those situations.