Paedocommunion?

[Colabomb]

I wonder about paedocommunion. Should we accept it for the same reason we accept paedobaptism? Or is communion a Sacrament for those older?

[PaladinValer]

If they have received the Sacrament of Baptism, they can receive the Sacrament of Holy Communion.

[Colabomb]

If they have received the Sacrament of Baptism, they can receive the Sacrament of Holy Communion.
See my thoughts are along those lines. If the Child is brought into the Body of Christ, should he not recieve all the benefits?

[Philip]

If I may intrude, I do not see how one can say baptized infants are Christians, but then deny them participation in the Eucharist. Some argue that St Paul's instructions for self examination prevents an infant from receiving. However, Christ tells us that we should have faith like a child. So, if this is the faith I am to strive for, how can a child's faith be insufficient to approach the Lord's Table?

Besides, paedocommunion is the ancient practice of the Church. :)

[PaladinValer]

You may so intrude :thumbsup:

[Colabomb]

If I may intrude, I do not see how one can say baptized infants are Christians, but then deny them participation in the Eucharist. Some argue that St Paul's instructions for self examination prevents an infant from receiving. However, Christ tells us that we should have faith like a child. So, if this is the faith I am to strive for, how can a child's faith be insufficient to approach the Lord's Table?

Besides, paedocommunion is the ancient practice of the Church. :)
Yep, I'm convinced... Thanks :)

This is what I was thinking.

[Father Rick]

If I may intrude, I do not see how one can say baptized infants are Christians, but then deny them participation in the Eucharist. Some argue that St Paul's instructions for self examination prevents an infant from receiving. However, Christ tells us that we should have faith like a child. So, if this is the faith I am to strive for, how can a child's faith be insufficient to approach the Lord's Table?

Besides, paedocommunion is the ancient practice of the Church. :)Only on STR would a EO answer an Anglican by taking the words right out of an OC priest's mouth!:D

[Colabomb]

Only on STR would a EO answer an Anglican by taking the words right out of an OC priest's mouth!:D
hehe.

[julian the apostate]

is it by area or do all anglican churches practice paedo-communion
(mine does)

[PaladinValer]

Father Rick, that's the awesome thing about being an Anglican (and, so it seems, Old Catholic too); complete randomness but firm hierarchical order :P

[Fish and Bread]

I think the reception of communion by baptised young people is fully biblical and traditional. I do believe, however, that we need to make sure that the elements are treated respectfully. The fact that babies may spit out communion or small children may chew it like bubble gum is an important consideration as we try to determine what the actual practice should be, even though there is no biblical or traditional bar to reception by all baptised. Even some of the young people at my parish who have presumably gone through some sort of first communion instruction munch on the host as if it were corn flakes, though that probably points to poor catechism more than anything else... drives me crazy.

John

[PaladinValer]

My parish at home offers a yearly Communion class which is taught by one of the priests and a layperson. Little children are taught the significance of Holy Communion and how to properly and reverently receive both Elements.

[Fish and Bread]

Can you loan my parish your instructor? ;-)

John

[Philip]

how to properly and reverently receive both Elements.

How is this done in Anglicanville? For us, the Body is broken and placed in the Chalice with the blood. The priest offers the Body and Blood to the receiver on a spoon. Infants, as I understand it, receive only the wine and perhaps a crumb or two of bread until they are old enough to take solid food.


The fact that babies may spit out communion...


St Cyprian relates an interesting story:
"Some parents who by chance were escaping, being little careful on account of their terror, left a little daughter under the care of a wet-nurse. The nurse gave up the forsaken child to the magistrates. They gave it, in the presence of an idol whither the people flocked (because it was not yet able to eat flesh on account of its years), bread mingled with wine, which however itself was the remainder of what had been used in the immolation of those that had perished. Subsequently the mother recovered her child. But the girl was no more able to speak, or to indicate the crime that had been committed, than she had before been able to understand or to prevent it. Therefore it happened unawares in their ignorance, that when we were sacrificing, the mother brought it in with her. Moreover, the girl mingled with the saints, became impatient of our prayer and supplications, and was at one moment shaken with weeping, and at another tossed about like a wave of the sea by the violent excitement of her mind; as if by the compulsion of a torturer the soul of that still tender child confessed a consciousness of the fact with such signs as it could. When, however, the solemnities were finished, and the deacon began to offer the cup to those present, and when, as the rest received it, its turn approached, the little child, by the instinct of the divine majesty, turned away its face, compressed its mouth with resisting lips, and refused the cup. Still the deacon persisted, and, although against her efforts, forced on her some of the sacrament of the cup. Then there followed a sobbing and vomiting. In a profane body and mouth the Eucharist could not remain; the draught sanctified in the blood of the Lord burst forth from the polluted stomach. So great is the Lord's power, so great is His majesty. The secrets of darkness were disclosed under His light, and not even hidden crimes deceived God's priest."

Certianly this does not apply to all children who spit-up, but it is still interesting.

[Polycarp1]

We have "church in the round," with pews on three sides of the altar. It's my wife's and my custom to sit in the front row on one side, near the credence table, so that we can be on hand if problems arise, such as running out of wine. But this positioned me so that I watched a three-year-old boy receive communion a while ago. And the expression on his face was one of reverent joy. He may be too young to know Eucharistic theology, but he knew his Lord when He was present to him in the form of bread and wine!

[PaladinValer]

The recepient cups his right hand in his left and the priest places the Body on the palm. The recepient then either partakes it immediately (chewing is a no-no) or holds it to his heart. When the chalice comes, he either intincts and then consumes or simply takes a sip of the Blood.

He can be read as "she"

[Philip]

intincts

:scratch: You're making up words again, aren't you.

[PaladinValer]

Intinction is the act of dipping the Body in the Blood.

[benedictine]

A lot of people in my parish do this. There's one lady that has the LEM intinct it and put it in her mouth.

[trooper]

I am ok with the theology of paedocommunion, but as a mom I have been strict in making my kids wait until their 7th birthday to recieve their first communion. I know that this is no longer hip, and my kids were really jealous that their friends were allowed to receive when they were not. However, I did it for two reasons: one, because I err on the side of the "purchasing yourself unto damnation" side of St. Paul and wanted them to have the maturity to reflect on their sinfulness before they communed and; secondly (and decidely less important), I wanted their first Communion to be a profound and joyous memory of their introduction to the Church. I attend a REALLY small church. So, there was a moment during the announcements when everyone was made aware that this was the morning of my child's first Communion and after Communion everyone was wonderful in congratulation my daughter and welcoming her and making her feel like something big had happened (which it had). She is old enough to hold that memory in her heart. In fact, she promptly let everyone she knew, including store clerks and mailmen, what had happened to her that day.. What a witness she was.

Just a thought,

[PaladinValer]

Trooper, just remember that it is through baptism we enter into the Church ;)

Valid argument though. Glad it was such a highlight for your kiddo(s)! :)

[Lel]

Hey, the kids catch on more readily than adults sometimes! I do wonder if communion is safe for infants under 12 months or the like.

[PaladinValer]

Just as long as the tiniest crumb is consumed, you will have received all you'd need of both the Body and the Blood...same from the tiniest drop from the chalice.

[SirTimothy]

Actually, if the Body is broken over the Blood, as is traditionally done, then surely there would be some remnant of it throughout it, so when recieving just the Blood, we are in fact recieving both.

Timothy

[Philip]

Hey, the kids catch on more readily than adults sometimes! I do wonder if communion is safe for infants under 12 months or the like.

Orthodox children are traditionally baptized on their eighth day. They are chrismated and receive the Eucharist immediately after that.

[Colabomb]

Hey, the kids catch on more readily than adults sometimes! I do wonder if communion is safe for infants under 12 months or the like.
In recieving one part of the communion, you recieve it all. An example. This Sunday at church, (I recieve the Body and Blood separately) there was not much of the Blood left, so nothing reached me when he tipped the cup. I still recieved the same sacrament whether or not I actually Drank the Blood of the Lord.

If someone feels that the body may not necessarily be the best thing for an infant, give them just the blood.

At least that is how I look at it.

[Colabomb]

Orthodox children are traditionally baptized on their eighth day. They are chrismated and receive the Eucharist immediately after that.
(I like that, I wish we did that)

[PaladinValer]

My parish does what Philip is saying, if not being specifically done on the 8th day of life outside the womb.