Why does Church law require a Catholic to attend Sunday Mass?

Rules are created to help people learn what is good and what is right. Children especially need rules as guidance in order to understand what the law protects. Often rules protect their physical and emotional well-being. “Hold my hand when we cross the street.” “Tell the truth even when you have done something wrong.” We hope children grow beyond the rules as they begin to understand what values the rules protect. Catholics come to worship God at Mass each week for many reasons. Our hearts fill with gratitude at each Mass as we worship with others who share our same beliefs through praise and adoration. We are fed by God’s Word, and we are given the great gift of Jesus’ very Body and Blood to strengthen us for mission. As adult Catholics, we grow beyond the “rule” to participate at Mass. We long for the gift and are grateful. We know it is right and just to give God what is due. This law protects our spiritual well-being. 

Why do some people receive Eucharist on the tongue and some in their hands?

The most ancient practice of distributing Holy Communion was, with all probability, to give Communion in the palm of the hand. However, rather early on in the history of Church worship (the second and third centuries), a change in this practice occurred. Communion on the tongue developed to prevent particles of the consecrated bread from dropping and to increase a sense of the sacredness of the moment. The General Instruction of the Roman Missal states: “The consecrated host may be received either on the tongue or in the hand, at the discretion of each communicant . . .” (160).

It is important not to judge one way of receiving as “holier” than the other. Each of us is called to dispose ourselves in whatever way possible to the miracle of this moment when Jesus offers himself to us in the Eucharist. Children should be prepared to receive both ways as they have the right to choose which way to receive.

Can my child really understand that the Eucharist IS the Body and Blood of Christ?

There are different ways of understanding and knowing. Someone can know that two plus two equals four. He or she can understand that the numbers represent objects. There is another sense of knowing. You know when your child is lying to you or your child knows that you love them. This knowing comes from the heart, not the head. As we grow in our human development, we are able to conceptualize and process complicated information. So as adults, we speak about transubstantiation as the change of substance by which the bread and the wine offered in the sacrifice of the Mass, become, in reality, the physical Body and Blood of Christ. We cannot know Christ present with just our intellect. We know him present because we trust his words to “Take and eat; this is my Body” (Matthew 26:26). It is an understanding that comes from the heart. As you and your parish work together to prepare your child for the Sacrament, you will help each child to develop an openness of heart. This openness will lead your child to know Christ truly present in the Eucharist. Your continued support in bringing your child to Mass each week and participating in ongoing faith formation will enable him or her to grow in intellectual understanding as well as intimacy with Christ our Lord.

Why do we not invite non-Catholics to receive the Eucharist at Mass?

One of the ways we refer to the Body and Blood of Christ is “communion.” The word itself helps us to understand what we believe happens in the action of receiving the Eucharist. From its beginning, the Catholic Church has consistently taught that Christ is truly present—Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity—in the Eucharist. Receiving communion is an assent to that teaching. It is why we respond, “Amen,” (I believe) when offered the Body of Christ. 

When we receive Eucharist, we enter more deeply into relationship with Jesus and the Church. Receiving is an outward statement of our unity of faith. It speaks to our oneness in belief and our trust that the Holy Spirit, who makes us one, continues to make known the truth that God has revealed through his Son, Jesus. Because our brothers and sisters who are not Catholic do not completely share this oneness in belief, the action of receiving the Eucharist would not express the reality of all that it is. 

This is often a painful experience for families where one parent is not Catholic. It would be good to speak with your parish catechetical leader or someone else on your parish staff if you would like to discuss this subject to get a deeper understanding. You can also discuss ways to include your non-Catholic spouse in a way that is welcoming and inclusive.

Why do some girls wear white dresses and veils for First Communion?

Clothing often indicates special moments in our lives. Whether it is a graduation gown or a special outfit for our first dance, what we wear is important. Since the first ritual celebrations of Baptism, a white garment was given to the newly baptized to symbolize their new life in Christ. At first it was the Baptism of adults who literally changed clothing during the ritual. Eventually the practice evolved of bringing children already clothed in white to the Baptism. To connect the Sacraments of Initiation, the practice of also wearing white to First Communion became a custom in some cultures. So what about the veils? Before the reforms of the liturgy called for by the Second Vatican Council, women were required to have a head covering in church. Some women wore hats and others wore veils. Since young girls were wearing a special white dress for Mass, the head covering became a more elaborate veil. 

It is important to help your daughter or son understand the significance of the clothing worn for the Sacrament. This day is so important because it begins a life time of receiving the gift of Jesus’ very life. But, do not overemphasize the clothing. You will need to check with your parish for the customs and policies about clothing. What must be primary in your decisions is respect for your child’s individual personality, the guidelines offered to you by your parish and, of course, what would be most appropriate as your son or daughter receives the greatest gift.

Does my child have to receive both the Body and the Blood of Christ?

A document from the U.S. Catholic Conference of Bishops explains that sharing in both the Body and Blood of Christ reflects more fully the action and words of Jesus at the Last Supper. So, the Church has made it possible to more frequently receive both the Body and the Sacred Blood.

Yet, it has always been the teaching of the Church that the fullness of Christ exists under each species alone—the Body, Blood, soul, and divinity. We receive the fullness of grace within each species.

So, it is the choice of each person to receive the Body and/or Blood of Christ. In many parishes, however, children practice receiving both species in case they ever want to receive the Sacred Blood. Giving young people a taste of the unconsecrated wine before First Communion may help them to know what to expect and lessens the possibility of a dramatic reaction.