www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life The Christian East & West The other way around - Can my children receive communion?

The responses of our brothers and sisters from OLOS� topic �Can my children receive communion� were very nourishing.

Now I would like to put it the other way around: Say that a certain bachelor Roman Catholic from a country without Eastern Catholic Churches presence and migrated to (e.g.) Canada where he had a chance to change sui iuris church to a certain Greek Catholic Church. Then started a family devoutly practicing their Christian � Greek Catholic faith.

Then he decided to visit his native land with his wife and their one-year-old child. During the Sunday Liturgy (Mass) of the Roman Catholic community to which the only available Catholic in that place, will the child be allowed to receive Jesus through His blood just like in the Greek tradition?

Because a one-year-old child of a Roman rite family attends a Greek rite liturgy obviously the child cannot receive Jesus because the child has not been confirmed or chrismated. But when a one-year-old child of a Greek rite family, having in mind that the child received the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Chrismation/Confirmation and first Eucharist) attends a Roman rite liturgy, so would the child be allowed to receive Jesus? (still the same question above)

Where could I find the reference to answer this question? What are your concerns about this situation?

Just an off hand thought: does the couple provides a special spoon for the use of the child in such cases???

Slava Isusu Krystu! God bless!
Eumir

I would and have certainly communicated such a child. My only advice is that the community should be instructed first, as to the reason why this is happening.
One parent was ranting and raving against me because I "dared" to do such a thing.
Stephanos I

I note Stephanos did not actually say that not only is it advisable that the Community should be instructed beforehand [ if possible] but it would be a help if the Priest who would be Communing the infant was asked beforehand

As an EMHC I have been faced with a young Eastern Catholic child of about 4 for Communion - that morning I was giving Communion from the Ciborium. Fortunately the family concerned had been in the pew in front of me and I very quickly realsed that they were Eastern Catholic - it was a joy - one parent and 4 children - all very reverently paying attention - you can all guess the great give way of course. As the mum approached me with the wee one she pointed to the little one and I raised my eyebrows and she very quietly said 'She does Receive" . Now as an EMHC I am not permitted to refuse Communion to any who approach - I am supposed to see the Parish Priest [ Pastor] afterwards.This I forgot to do - but the family were talking to him after the end of Mass.

The next evening we had a Liturgy Group meeting and of course I had been seen and was challenged by the local know it all . I did of course defend my action quite vocally and explain I had seen the children and parent in front of me during Mass - needless to say of course this lady did not know what ECs were [ now there's a surprise NOT ] The Pastor was not present so could not back me up.

I have seen this family again - but they all went to the Celebrant for Communion on each occasion.

Please , please take time to see the priest first so he does not get taken by surprise - not all Latin Priests will be comfortable in this situatiion

Hi,

In my parish, which is kind of bi-ritual (Latin and Maronite), your child would be most welcome to receive Holy Communion.

Even extraordinary Eucharistic ministers have been explicitly instructed on how to proceed respecting all valid traditions and disciplines.

I would not put my money on your priest accepting it, even talking to him in advance, though.

Shalom,
Memo.

Slava Isusu Krystu!

thanks for all your the information.

How does the one-year-old child or a younger one (still having no teeth) receive the Holy Gifts in a Latin rite Liturgy (mass)?

God bless! eumir

Umm - my apologies to all

I have been asked today to explain the term EMHC

Extraordinary
Minister of
Holy
Communion

the older term was EEM [ Extraordinary Eucharistic Minister]

After all the Ordinary Minister is the Priest or Deacon

Anhelyna, your meaning was perfectly clear from the context of your post...even to me, and I have attended only one RC Mass in my life!

Fear not, you were understood!

Gaudior, grateful to all who post with such clarity