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While it is my understanding that Byzantine Catholic parishes have returned to the ancient practice of giving communion to infants, it appears that our Ukrainian brethren have not. The current (August 17) issue of "The Way" (Ukrainian Cathoilic Archdiocese of Philadelphia) contains several photos of First Holy Coomunion celebrations in several Eastern PA and NJ parishes. Can one of our Ukrainian Catholic readers tell us something about current practices in the Ukrainian dioceses?

I think it is pretty much up to the pastor.

My pastor gives Communion to infants (except the SSPX infants). I think a lot more churches are, but there are churches where the "First Holy Communion" is stil in practice.

I have even known of priests to give COmmunion to infants at their baptism, but then wait 'til they are 7 so they can have proper catechism and their "First Holy Communion Mass."

-uc

Even in the Ruthenian Metropolia some parishes give infants the Holy Gifts but still maintain a First Holy Communion substitute called Solemn Holy Communion, i.e. the same thing only the children have been receiving since baptism. Perhaps some Ukrainian parishes do likewise?

In Christ,
Subdeacon Lance

My experience is similar to U-C's and Lance's.

Parishes mainain a solemn occasion for 7-8 year-olds, but it is also true that it is not simply called "First Holy Communiion" anymore. At V&O's it is called First Reconcilliation (Confession) and First Solemn Holy Communion.

It is at this Liturgy that the priest no longer says "so that he/she will tase and see that the Lord is good" when the child recieves the Eucharist, but rather the usual "for the forgiveness of sins and for Eternal Life."

Yours,

kl

Slava Icycy Chrystu!

This happens to be a timely topic, as I'm in the process of writing a paper for a graduate course at CDU precisely on this very thing.

Infant communion in the Ukrainian Greek Catholic tradition is something which has always been the norm.

In fact, it was the also norm for the Latin Rite until some historical issues caused them to change their practice. Currently, there is an effort in the Latin Rite to return to the correct order and administration of the Sacraments of Initiation because they realize the impact these historical anamolies had/have on the integrity and continuity of spiritual maturation.

Those of our parishes/pastors which adhere to the idea of a "First Holy Communion" are actually practicing a latinization which is not organic to our spirituality or patrimony.

The first prohibitions of infant communion occurred shortly after the Union of Brest at the strong behest of the Polish Latin Rite clergy and became quite pronounced after the Synod of Zamost in 1720. Although this synodonly had provincial authority only, it was nonetheless used as a guide for many of our parishes which were struggling against the confusing and disruptive attempts at Polinization (from the west) and Russification (from the east) assaulting our Church at the time.

Most appropriately, it is up to the parents whether or not to have the child communicated and not to the pastor (although he is the ultimate authority to ensure that the Holy Mysteries are respectfully and appropriately protected from profanation and that the order and discipline of the Church are maintained). The directives of our Church are quite clear on this, although the various Eparchies have issued their own directives as to how the practice is to be administered throughout thier parishes.

The Eparchy of Stamford has a well written directive which can be read on their web-site (Prot. No. 177/98 O. - Pastoral Guidelines on Infant Communion for the Stamford Eparchy) for those who would like more information on this very interesting topic.

According to the Pastoral Guide of the Ukrainian Catholic Church in the United States (binding upon all the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchies in the US) makes clear that the only legal prerequisites for reception of Holy Communion is Baptism and Chrismation.

Article 237 states that "...[a] child which has not yet begun to take solid food, shall receive the Divine Gifts in the form of Precious Blood by touching the lips of the infant with the holy spoon, which has been dipped into the Precious Blood." (pg. 48)

Article 301 states that ..."Cases of children whose parents support thier wish to receive Holy Communion earlier than their age group [...] shall be treated individually, and no child shall be unduly restrained from the reception of Holy Communion..." (pg. 68)

I hope this has been somewhat helpful.

This past Sunday we attended Divine Liturgy at St. Andrew UCC in Parma, Ohio (our home parish). The priests and the deacon welcomed into the parish community an infant named David, who was baptized, chrismated, and given Holy Eucharist. At the end of the Divine Liturgy the congregation sang Mnohaya Lita to him!

Unfortunately, for many years many parishes followed the latinized practice of waiting until the children were seven to give First Holy Communion. It will take a while to get things back to our norm, where all babies are given the Eucharist at their baptism and chrismation. (And, I might add, there was no applause at the end of the Liturgy, unlike the RC baptism Mass we attended the previous Sunday...)