The other day, I had to do a little examination of a home educated girl who is soon to make her first Holy Communion. I entirely trust her parents to catechise her suitably but they felt that it would be good if I checked things out, so as to add the authority of the priesthood to her preparation. Naturally I agreed to this, though I knew that she would be well educated.
So we looked through her workbook and she explained the pictures she had drawn to illustrate the mystery of the Blessed Trinity, the difference between God, angels, men, animals, plants and minerals, the effect that sanctifying grace has on the soul, original sin, heaven, hell and purgatory, the distinction between mortal and venial sin, the effects of each of the seven sacraments – that sort of stuff.
I didn’t attempt to engage her on the Thomist-Scotist debate over whether the sacramental graces are distinct or whether they are all reducible to supernatural charity. After all, she is only 6 years old.
We. Can. Catechise. Children.
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13 comments:
Yes some of our children made their First Holy Communion age 6..parents of children in Catholic Schools should remember their children can make their Communion earlier if they are ready though they will need to prepare them..themselves..
'So we looked through her workbook and she explained the pictures she had drawn to illustrate the mystery of the Blessed Trinity'
I wonder what picture she drew to illustrate the Trinity?
This post reminds me of how my parents taught the Catechism to me and my brothers and sisters and some neighbours children during an eightenn month teachers strike in Dublin!
Thank God for parents who hand on the Faith. for their children's future -- eternal future!
Should have added ...hope you enjoy your Rome visit. Please give a cheer to the \pope for me!
You were wise . . . she might know more than you!
I was prepared by my mother, and also examined by the pastor, when I made my First Communion. I will say that I thought (even at the time) that the reason for the conversation was not to "add the authority of the priesthood" to my preparation, but to have the authority of the Church acknowledge my (and my parents') work of preparation.
That's more or less what I meant, Michelle. The priest's authority is not his own, but entirely subject to Christ and the Church.
In Arundel and Brighton the age for First H C is 8. Can this be waived by individual priests if a child is deemed ready much younger?
Dominie
It is not within the competence of the diocese to override the universal law of the Church that a child may receive Holy Communion once he has reached the age of reason. It is for the parish priest to decide, on consulting the parents, whether a child is properly prepared and properly disposed. It is well worth reading Quam Singulari of Pope St Pius X.
Our 2 1/2 year old can say (by heart) the Lord's prayer, the Hail Mary, Glory be and O Angel of God. She's just started saying her grace in Latin as well as English (it's slightly mangled but we all have to start somewhere). She's also assiduous about praying for Sr Bernadette (a Franciscan sister of the Renewal who's an old family friend) as well as her best friend's granda who has cancer. She's surely picking it up from us but she's very stern if she doesn't hear me say grace before my lunch: "Daddy! Say Grace!"
Thank you for that last comment, Father - here in South Africa, the standard age for First Communion is 10 or 11 (the 5th or 6th year of formal schooling). My eldest made her First Communion at age 7 with the Society of St Pius X, but dependent on what happens with them, we may be looking to our local parish, and I am concerned we will be stonewalled. Confirmation is administered at age 17, or the penultimate year in High School, with a minimum age of 16, but that is another story...
St Pius X was concerned that there were different ages in different countries. He decided to rectify this. He approached all the Bishops of the world to ask what age they felt appropriate. The consensus was 7, the age of reason. WE SHOULD EXAMINE THIS VERY CAREFULLY, receiving First Communion was NOT a matter of Catechesis but the ability for the child to accept (not understand) that the bread became the Body of Christ. ST Pius X was met a woman with a five year old boy, on examining his belief ST Pius X allowed him to make his First Holy Communion. IT IS VERY MUCH AN INDIVIDUAL MATTER, no Bishop can argue against the law of the Church established by St Pius X in favour of an upping of the age. To believe is enough, for I defy any adult to show me that they have any more `understanding` of the mystery of consecration that they had when they were a child.
I couldn't agree more. Does anyone have any advice for me on preparing my twins for confirmation - in these parts in Year 8 (age 13).
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