Oliver was 7 when the Catholic priest took the host from him in church. I went to the Catholic church because I was raised Catholic but our Episcopal church had no service that day.
My son received the Host and stood waiting for the chalice to dip the Host in as we do in the Episcopal church. The priest came running and told me he was too young. I told him that he had been receiving Communion for some time but he wouldn't believe me.
We teach them all about the meaning of the bread and wine. Does any child of 7, even after First Communion classes, truly understand the consecration? I know I didn't when I made my First Communion at 6 but I went to the classes and answered the questions.
Too bad. I sometimes would like to go back to the Catholic church and then something like this happens.
>>>My son received the Host and stood waiting for the chalice to dip the Host in as we do in the Episcopal church.
I think I see the problem.
Perhaps if you saw someone in Faith Information at the Church and talked to them about coming back.
thanks for your reply.
That's indicated by approaching the Priest with arms crosses across the chest. Then the priest knows to give the blessing. At least that's how it's done in my Diocese during Catholic Wedding and Funeral Masses.
I don't think it's just a matter of "understanding." Who can understand such things? When Christ says "This is My Body," ho can we properly say anything except "Amen"?
We have a special Mass once a monh for the residents and caregivers of a home for people with multiple disabilities, including --- what do they call it now? -- "global cognitive deficits". I dons't think any of them could pronounce, let alone understand, "Transubstantiation," but they can receive if they grasp that this is not bread, that Jesus Himself wants to live in them.
I hope the day comes when all this can be made right.
Pray for me, if I may ask; and I'll pray for you and your son.
One of our kids had the same experience, but I don't fault the priest, who was merely attempting to properly discharge his duty. It was our fault for not correctly instructing our son.
Our kids have been raised Catholic from birth, but our younger kids are only familiar with with Tridentine rite. We attended a Novus Ordo Mass shortly after one of our kids made First Holy Communion and forgot to explain to him how to receive Holy Communion according to the Novus Ordo rite. Between his lack of familiarity with the proper approach and the fact that he's a lefty and was switching his hands back and forth, the priest became alarmed and quite rightly questioned him.
Since the Catholic and the Episcopal faiths are not interchangeable, it doesn't seem reasonable or fair to expect the Catholic Church to ignore the doctrinal differences and to casually distribute the Holy Eucharist to those who don't accept the Catholic belief in the Real Presence.
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Re: Can Episcopalians Receive Communion?
No--Anglicans may not receive the Eucharist in a Catholic Church--no matter how "high church" they may happen to be. The Anglican communion does not have a consistent, universal teaching regarding the real presence--nor does it have valid orders.
Eastern Orthodox Churches are another matter. They do have valid orders and a consistent belief in the real presence. Fr. Vincent Serpa, O.P.
Communion in the Episcopal Church is far different that in the Catholic Church. If you we’re well catechized you would know the difference and would act accordingly.
“Oliver was 7 when the Catholic priest took the host from him in church. I went to the Catholic church because I was raised Catholic but our Episcopal church had no service that day.”
It is unfortunate that your son was put in a position for that to have happened to him. While I commend you for seeking out a religious service with your children, your convenience is not really a good reason to disrespect the rules of Catholicism.
Since you were “raised Catholic” and have familiarity with Catholicism, it might have been better for you to have explained to your son that when we visit the services of another Christian denomination, we abide by THEIR rules out of respect for them.
When we attended a wedding in an Episcopalian church, I explained in advance to my children that, despite the similarities between their service and our own, we, as Catholics are not allowed to receive communion in a Protestant service, but should otherwise behave with reverence and respect.
It was a beautiful wedding, consecrated by God, even if WE did not receive communion.