What happens if a child receives Communion before his/her 1st Holy Communion?

debbie717 · #1 Feb 12, '13, 7:49 am

Hello,

In church last Sunday, seven little girls who made their 1st confession but NOT their 1st Holy communiion went and received our Lord. The priest didn't know so he gave them communion. No one is saying anything about this except that the little girls were told by the adult there that they could go up for communion to get a blessing. I never heard of this.

Anyway, what happens? I thought you had to receive 1st Holy communion before receiving. Shouldn't the little girls receive the sacrament of penance again just to be sure before the big day of 1st Holy Communion?

Thanks,and I look forward to your response on this one.

**Fr. Vincent Serpa** · #2 Feb 12, '13, 9:57 am

Dear friend,

Why should the little girls go to Confession again. They didn't commit a sin. All they did was jump the gun. So THIS was their first Holy Communion. If the parents still want them to be with their classmates when they receive their first Holy Communion, it will actually be their second Holy Communion. One's first Holy Communion is not special because it's the first; it's special because it is Holy Communion--which is always special.

Fr. Vincent Serpa, O.P.