Where can I find in-depth info on the history and practice of offering Communion to unconfirmed children?

Question

I mean specifically in Lutheran, Catholic, and/or Anglican churches. Meaning no disrespect to others, this is a question of considerable importance to me at the moment, and so I need to focus on answers based on a sacramental understanding of Holy Communion and belief in the Real Presence.

I'm especially looking for online info, since I'd like to be able to pull some research together quickly; but book recommendations are welcome as well.

As always, I do not welcome answers that are merely using my question as a platform for anti-sacramental or anti-Catholic statements.

James O: Many people do believe that the prevalent Lutheran practice of delaying communion until after confirmation is inconsistent, but I think that's an oversimplification. While we do not call Confirmation a sacrament, we do believe that teaching the Word of God is itself a deeply sacramental act which produces the desire for salvation. Therefore, Confirmation is still a means of grace since it always involves extensive instruction--but that instruction would be fully effective even if we didn't attach a rite at the end and call it "Confirmation."

Mark R: I'm aware of our new First Communion rite, and read it once while the LSB was still available online. The rite does not in itself address the question of whether early commuion is appropriate in a particular congregation, though it does constitute a de facto endorsement of the practice. The rite's existence makes it easier to convince pastors to introduce the practice, but ultimately a *good* pastor will only be swayed by sound doctrine.

Regarding the issue of *when* the age of reason is reached: In my opinion, the widespread abandonment of private confession is a big part of the problem. A pastor who is hearing confessions from a child knows if that child is capable of examining himself.

Answer 1

Anon,

This is not exactly what you are looking for, but being LCMS you are at least acquainted with the new "Lutheran Service book".

There is provision for communing un-confirmed children in the "Lutheran Service Book" ""Agenda"" (I think). Unconfirmed though they may be, it is clear that they must have been instructed and understand the sacrament.

I have searched Scripture, and can find no reason to do otherwise. Our Pastor is in favor of this practice, however the problem is that children of the same age may not attain the age of reason at the same time.

We have started confirming Children younger. They seem to be more attentive, and less rebellious at 12 than at 14. Come to think of it; so was I.

I am a hard A** Lutheran, but I still believe that a "simple" understanding of the real presence, and the grace conveyed in the sacrament should be the only prerequisite to participating in Christ's body and blood.

Why do you ask?

Edit....

I must agree with you Anon, as does my Pastor. Private confession is a sacramental act that has virtually slipped into oblivion. It seems only in the 11th hour, or in the most dire circumstances is it requested any more. I think the Church would be a lot healthier if the practice could be uniformly restored.

Your dear friend and fellow Lutheran,

Mark

Addendum:
Agendahttps://www.lcms.org/graphics/assets/media/DCS/confirm.pdf
confirm.pdf (application/pdf Object)
https://www.lcms.org/pages/print.asp?print=1&NavID=3973&path=%2Fpages%2Finternal%2Easp
The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod:

Answer 2

I have looked for info myself within the Lutheran church and have found no real clear cut statements on it, just vagueness. I do know that the last 3 pastors I've dealt with do NOT hold with it. One did attempt to work with a family and required that the child be able to answer some basic questions regarding the sacrament of communion and the child could not give adequate and age appropriate answers to satisfy the pastor. The child could regurgitate the small catechism but had no idea what it actually meant.

The ELCE and the LC of Australia actually do confirmation and communion later than the LCMS. They usually don't start classes until they are 14. Again, to make sure this is a clear and complete understanding of the doctrine and beliefs.

I know as a parent I do discuss communion and proper preparation with my girls, especially since my 12 year old is in confirmation. My 12 year old... she understands and can explain in her own words. My 10 year old.... she knows the words, but doesn't really grasp the whole concept yet. Both are happy with their blessing they recieve, and the older one looks forward to her confirmation and being able to recieve communion. Would I feel comfortable with the 12 year old taking communion right now.. probably. My 10 year old... NO WAY! Thankfully, I don't have to worry about it, because our pastor will not allow any child who has not been confirmed to take communion.

Answer 3

The varied Orthodox have had infant communion but they also have infant confirmation (Chrismation) with infant Baptism
I Googled "Communion before Confirmation" and got 10 pages with 9 "hit" on the first page

Confirmation before Communion was the Western Catholic practice until Pope Pius X(1910 or so) who wanted young children of the "age of reason"(about 7) to receive because they are capable of believing in the Real Presence and the eemnetaries of the Creed and of repentance and spiritual yearning for the grace of Holy Communion.

Since Anglicans were bound by civil law( as were English non Anglicans) to "take Communion" for more than a century from the late 16th century and many rural parishioniers were not confirmed because episcopal visitation was often rare, Communion before Confirmation must have been fairly common.

Since Confirmation is not recognized as a dominical sacrament by most Lutherans is the reqirement of Confirmation before communing consistent?

Answer 4

I have no real info for you, but perhaps an anecdote to lighten your research that is tied in (really).

When I was 5 or 6, I lived in a really small town where all the pastors were buddies, no matter the denomination. My dad was the pastor of the only LCMS church in town, and one Easter morning after our Sunrise service we all went down to the Wesleyan church for their service. I'm sitting with that pastor's wife and kids (because, like I said, we were all buddies), when Communion starts up. They're passing around the bread and grape juice, and it gets to us. The pastor's wife tears off a hunk and passes it to me like "here ya go, kid" -- I was stunned, but my mom just took it from my hand and passed it on to the next Wesleyan in the row. Kinda funny, if you ask me.

Have a great night!

Answer 5

all Orthodox little ones are baptized around the 6th week after delivery, that's additionally whilst the mummy is recieved back into the church after her time of cleansing from giving delivery. in case you're no longer baptised you could't take communion, besides, whether you have been baptised, you additionally must have given a modern-day confession, fasted a minimum of from 9pm the nighttime till now and prayer the pre communal prayers. Orthodox Christianity would not enable its committed to obtain Holy Communion in non-Orthodox communities, whether or no longer they be Roman Catholic, Protestant, or notwithstanding. for this reason, on a similar time as Roman Catholicism might enlarge Eucharistic hospitality to Orthodox Christians, it would not recommend that Orthodox Christians are approved to settle for such hospitality. For Orthodox Christians, the Eucharist is a visual sign of unity; to obtain the Eucharist in an area to which one would not belong is unsuitable. If one would not settle for all that the Church believes and teaches and worships, one can't make a visual sign of unity with it. The Eucharist is the end results of unity, notthe potential by employing which unity is carried out. on a similar time as many non-Orthodox see this as an illustration that the Orthodox Church excludes non-Orthodox from the Eucharist, unquestionably the different is real. because of the fact a non-Orthodox guy or woman has chosen to no longer include all that Orthodox Christianity holds, the non-Orthodox guy or woman makes it impossible for an Orthodox priest to offer him or her communion. it extremely is not lots a remember of Orthodoxy different than for non-Orthodox because it extremely is the non-Orthodox making it impossible for the Orthodox to offer the Eucharist. specifically circumstances human beings argue, "yet Father, i believe each little thing the Orthodox Church teaches." If that's certainly the case, then the question isn't certainly one of Eucharistic hospitality yet, extremely, "Then in case you think each little thing the Orthodox Church teaches, why have not you modify into an Orthodox Christian?"

Answer 6

Here's what I found. You have to scroll down to section B10 to get to it. http://www.europe.anglican.org/admin/hbB_divineservice.htm

Answer 7

what Mark said