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Expert: Fr. Timothy Johnson - 6/2/2008


Question
Father Johnson,

What is the proper way to handle Catholic children who for whatever reason missed receiving First Communion at the normal time.  Everything I've read seems to point to them being treated as adults that need to complete their initiation.  In other words that they would receive Confirmation first and then First Communion.  If this is true could you point me to the relevant Church Law so that I can construct something that makes sense when explaining this to others?

Thanks so much for your time.


Answer
Hi, Todd:

There are universal descriptive laws in the 1983 Code of Canon Law, under the section of the "Sanctifying Church."
Nevertheless, the best direction I could point you would be to see what the particular laws in force would be in your Diocese, or the Dioceses where cases as you describe occur.  This is because some Dioceses do 1st Communion at about 8-years old, and then Confirmation as teenagers; other Dioceses, such as my own, do Confirmation and 1st Holy Communion at the same time at the end of the 3rd Grade.
As a general rule-of-thumb, I believe that you would find if a child has not received 1st Holy Communion in 2nd, 3rd, or at latest 4th Grade, then they probably would complete their Sacraments of Initiation in the order of Confirmation then 1st Holy Communion, in the manner of an adult convert.
Be certain to check with the Office of Worship of your Diocese.

Fr. Timothy Johnson

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Fr. Timothy Johnson

Expertise

A Traditional Catholic Priest, validly and licitly ordained, incardinated legally and canonically in the Diocese of Fargo, and in good-standing with my Local Ordinary (Bishop) on active assignment at a rural Tri-Parish. I can provide honest and balanced answers to questions on topics pertaining to Traditional Roman Catholicism of the Latin Church (Councils of Trent and Vatican II)and a lot about the Eastern Catholic Churches, including the Sacred Liturgy, Sacred Scripture, Church History, the use of the Latin language, the tradition of Sacred Music, and current events in the Catholic Church from a traditional, historical and balanced perspective.

Experience

I have been ordained a Roman Catholic Priest since June 2001.

Organizations
Knights of Columbus; Church Music Association of America (CMAA)

Education/Credentials
Ordained Priest, 02 JUN 2001; Ordained Deacon, 27 JAN 2001; MA - Dogmatic/Systematic Theology; MDiv - Professional Degree from Seminary; 2-Years formation with Canons Regular of Premontre including studies and experience in Sacred Liturgy, Chant, Latin, Sacraments, Spirituality. BA - Scholastic/Thomistic Philosophy; BA - Liberal Arts; AA - General Studies.

Past/Present Clients
I serve 3-small, rural Parish Communities in Easter North Dakota
I converted to the Roman Catholic Church in 1981, at the age of 15. Over the years I have done work as an organist, cantor, and choir director for the Latin Rite (English & Latin) Mass (Liturgy of the Eucharist), and even for the Hours of the Divine Office. I have worked as a cantor for a Melkite Byzantine Catholic Church. Presently my pastoral and administrative duties as a Catholic Priest do not allow me as much time as I used to have to devote to Sacred Music; but for my weekend Masses and Solemnities within my Tri-Parish, I offer High Sung Mass in English. Weekday Mass is typically Low Mass (recited Mass) in English, though on occasion I will offer the "Tridentine Mass" in Latin, which I usually offer on my "Day Off", as well. And now, in light of the "Motu Proprio" by his Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI placing the extraordinary usage of the Roman Rite back into the mainstream of the Catholic Church, I have been offering a regularly scheduled SUN, 2:00 PM Tridentine Latin Mass with a community of the faithful that has a stable existence.

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