Q: I enjoy your observations on liturgical matters.
So what are your thoughts on giving first communicants “roles” in the liturgy, such as lectors, cantors, gift bearers, a “special song,” etc.? I know expectations such as these can cause tension between the music/liturgy personnel and the DRE/catechists.
Thanks for your insight.
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A: Thanks for your comments on my blog.
My personal preference – and that’s all it is – is for others to perform those roles, not the first communicants. The first communicants already have a role: They are the first communicants.
The sole exception is the gift bearers. To me, it makes perfect sense for the first communicants to present the offerings of bread and wine that will be returned to them as the consecrated Body and Blood of Christ.
The other roles are auxiliary to the liturgy. Other people best perform them as a service to the first communicants.