Seriously, what is the big deal about 1st communions for Catholics?

Question

No disrespect intended, but in the eastern Orthodox church my children have recieved communion immediately after their baptism as infants. As they grow and learn about the church they learn about the importance of confession and communion and continue to recieve communion each and every Sunday. I don't understand the process for Catholics...why all the white dresses, special ceremony & party and gifts after? Granted we had a family dinner after our girls were baptised, but no gifts were expected or wanted. It was to celebrate our childrens entrance into the church and the beginings of their religious education.

Sorry if I sound judgemental or anything like that...I certianly don't mean to.

Answer 1

Yes, in the Eastern Church, children are baptized, chrismated ( confirmed) and receive 1st Communion all at the same time.

As Latin rite Catholics, we spread out the Sacraments of Initiation. We believe a child should be able to distinguish the Eucharist from"ordinary food"

!st Holy Communion is a big deal- the children in my program celebrated it last weekend. The entire parish community comes together to celebrate with them the first time they come to the tbale of the Lord. We spend an entire scholl year preparing them for the moment. We make a big deal out of it- pictures, reception in the parish hall, etc- so they understand just how special the occasion is. And we emphasixe to them- and to the people of the community- that EVERY time we receive Communion, we should be as excited as these children are on that day....and that the best gift they receive is Jesus Christ.

The day before 1st Communoion, I hold a retreat for the children in my program. We practice for the Mass...but we also pray, go to confession and have adoration....I try to help them understand and prepare to receive their First Communion.

Answer 2

I know of Eastern Orthodox communities that think "First Solemn Communion" is a good idea and do it themselves for their 8yr olds. Since 1910 or so Western Rite Catholics have had 1st Comm before Confirmation in most places.
I look back with great fondness of being instructed about the Real Presence before First Communion and I am very glad that my church has the custom of 1st Communion. I am sorry that your kids will miss out on that.

Answer 3

For Catholics, First Holy Communion is a rite of passage. It is another growth step in the spiritual development of the child. The white dress represents the purity of the child and their dedication to Jesus. The party and gifts after-wards is an expression of the pride and joy that the faith is being passed on and continued. It is a wonderful time of family celebrating the gift of faith that parents pass on to their children and the child's participation in the official worship of the Church at the Mass. It is good to celebrate our faith publicly when ever we can and this gives us an excuse to do so.

Answer 4

In the Roman Catholic church it is considered that children under the age of reason( 7yrs old) will not have any understanding of the importance of the Eucharist and so up until the required age will receive simple instruction to help them for this great occasion of First holy communion.
By receiving the Body and Blood of Christ for the very first time they are now full members of the church and Parents like to mark this with celebration, the white dresses reflect the purity of the occasion and the innocence of these children.
I fail to see why this bothers you so much, surely you should be rejoicing that this is such a wonderful time in the lives of young Catholics.

Answer 5

1st Communion is a "special " event because it is one of the "Holy" Sacraments". It is a high Honor to Celebrate a meal with our Lord & Saviour. Is it not? The person recieving should have been able to make that decision on their own and because they did, it is a cause for celebration. Same as it should be for Baptism though I guess the Church still doesn't get that. they still celebrate several more sacraments. Unfortunately I don't remember all of the sacraments so I can't list them here,
Anytime someone chooses to Honor our Most high God, We as his church should celebrate, HE is Worthy !!!

Answer 6

Most Catholic children are baptised as infants.

First Holy Communion is the first time that the child is making the decision for communion with Christ on their own.

Hence the junior "marriage" like ceremony.

Really it's a way for the Catholic Church to go ka-ching ka-ching at the potential revenue streams it can count on for the future. So it's a very big deal.

Answer 7

It's just different dogma brought forth by two different sets of past Christian leaders.

FYI, there's a judgmental tone in your writing that implies that the dogma of your religion is superior to the dogma of Catholicism in regards to baptism and communion. Or, that maybe the Catholic version seems too ornate and/or silly to you.

Whether the child being baptized and communed is an infant or 7 years old, s/he is just doing as told to do by the parents and not acting of his/her own free will.

Answer 8

I believe communion is considered a sacrament in the Catholic church and as such is a traditional rite of passage.

The Ol' Hippie Jesus Freak
Grace and Peace
Peg

Answer 9

Most religions and cultures have a coming of age ceremony. The catholic church had to come up with something to be part of the gang. They borrowed something from judism and made it the way they wanted it. They borrowed everything.

Answer 10

Your children received communion as infants??? How did that work???

God bless,
Stanbo