First Communion

First Communion or First Holy Communion (also child communion, often shortened to " Communion " ) is called in the Catholic Church the most festive committed first Communion of children. On this day they first received the Holy Communion. The Eucharist belongs together with Baptism and Confirmation to the sacraments, which integrate into the Catholic Church.

• 3.1 Anglican churches
• 3.2 Orthodox Churches
• 3.3 Evangelical Lutheran Churches
• 3.4 Evangelical Reformed Churches

Age of children

Augustine noted against Pelagian positions that infants immediately after baptism, communion had to be served, that they may be saved in the event of sudden death. Augustine relied on Jn 6,53 EU. This view was determined in the early middle ages much of the practice. Since the newly baptized infants received consecrated sacramental wine (lay chalice see ) However, problems prepared the increasing fear of administration of konsekriertem wine with the first communion in infancy. The decline in the practice of infant communion was accompanied by theological considerations. The above-mentioned opinion of Augustine played an important role. She was, however, turned over the textual tradition into its opposite. The Decretum of Gratian (IV, 130) and Thomas Aquinas ( STh 3.73.3 ) cite the said passage of Augustine already as evidence against the necessity for salvation of infant communion. Thus, in the High Middle Ages, the first communion in infancy was canonically and obsolete in the liturgical practice. For the Late Middle Ages and modern times, therefore, the question of Erstkommunionalters with new urgency.

The Lateran Council of 1215 formulated not a right but an obligation to annual confession and participation in the communion of every believer from the canonical age discrimination (seventh birthday). In modern times however, was often a Erstkommunionalter of twelve to fourteen years, occasionally associated with leaving school or the completion of a catechism lesson.

In the late 19th century an earlier admission of children was increasingly desired for First Communion. With the decree Quam singularities of Pius X was again the seventh year of life as an ideal as well as the linking of the first confession and first communion fixed. Despite open wording of Canons 913 and 914 of the Code of Canon Law (1983 ) remains through this link a celebration of First Communion in a lower age unlikely. It's the ability of the use of reason necessary to ever commit a sin and recognize its own errors, requirement for confession and thus indirect prerequisite of first communion. So you also determines the Erstkommunionalter. Today, one aged six to twelve years is common. The Communion children in Germany are usually in the third, in Austria in the second school year.

The concentration of the criteria for admission to First Communion on the use of reason and age discrimination in the Catholic Church includes basically of mentally disabled people from receiving communion.

The complete abolition of infant communion is restricted to the Latin Church. The Eastern Churches have taken over from the Initiation of Adults custom maintained to rich and young children after baptism communion.

Catholic practice

The First Communion precedes Communion teaching and reception of the Sacrament of Penance. It is most particularly solemn designed; however, canon law prescribed no particular form. It is also possible that the preparation is done by the parents and held the first communion at another time and in another worship than for other First Communicants.

In Canon Law states:

"Duty above all of the parents and those who take the place of parents, and the parish priest is to ensure that children who have reached the use of reason are properly prepared, and as soon as possible, having made their sacramental confession, with this divine food to be strengthened. The pastor also has to see to it that no one draw children to Holy Communion who have not yet attained the use of reason, or are not sufficiently prepared, in his judgment of it. "

Preparation

The preparation usually takes place after the model of parish catechesis in small groups, which are often led by catechists or mothers or fathers ( the so-called " table mothers " or " fathers table "). The religious instruction of the school may complete the preparation. In recent years, however, other modes of preparation have been established. In some places take over the main Professional of the church ( priests, deacons, parish officials, etc.) to prepare the children.

Some preparation courses last more than a year, while others see only a few days or several weekends ago, still others put the preparation in special services for the children.

Before the First Communion takes place the first time the confession. Preparation for First Confession is usually integrated into the communion preparation. Without confession First Communion is not possible.

Appointment

The traditional, customary in many areas today day of Erstkommunionfeier is the Sunday after Easter ( Low Sunday ). Many communities but go on to reschedule. So also the celebration on Easter Monday, Ascension Day or other Sundays of the Easter season in April or May is part usually.

Others

In the German-speaking countries, the baptism is celebrated in the time of preparation for First Holy Communion more frequently. Example, numbers of baptisms in children and adolescents in Germany (but can not be used to represent numbers baptized during the Erstkommunionvorbereitung ): 2005 196 371 Catholic baptisms were of 7.854 (3.9%) in children aged 7 to 14 years. In 1993, of 281 612 baptisms still 6,959 (2.4%) in children aged 7 to 14 years.

Many communities integrate into the preparation time a family show with Taufgedächtnis be invited to the godparents of the child. The Baptism of the previously baptized children may in this case be celebrated.

When the First Communion Candles children become inflamed again because of the close relationship of the sacraments, baptism and the Eucharist often. In some communities, the children wear their First Communion a Albe. In many communities, the Communion children are invited to become an acolyte after Communion.

Other denominations

Anglican churches

In the churches of the Anglican Communion traditionally precedes the confirmation ( confirmation ) that is received usually at the age of 13, the first communion.

Orthodox churches

The Orthodox Churches and the Eastern Catholic Churches have no Uniate Communion or have them adopted as the Catholics of the Western Church. The children receive usually the first holy communion after baptism and connected to this Confirmation. To this end, the communion wafer or the bread moistened (with an infant baptism) with a drop of sacramental wine and then served with a small spoon.

Evangelical Lutheran Churches

The Evangelical Lutheran churches do not know the specially designed first communion. Young people may participate in general at her confirmation the first time the sacrament. Individual national churches allow children to the Lord's Supper, when they were prepared in accordance of their parents or the community. The church Synod of Independent Evangelical Lutheran Church recommends the early communion. It is implemented in some parishes.

Evangelical Reformed Churches

Particularly in the Swiss Reformed Churches Communion can be received in childhood, usually stands for non-alcoholic grape juice available.