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THE CHRISTIAN
INITIATION OF CHILDREN There are three sacraments by which we become members of the
Church – three sacraments of initiation :
Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Communion. Since Pope Pius X lowered the age for First Communion in the
early 1900s, the sacrament of Confirmation has been left high and dry after
Holy Communion. But as the Catechism of
the Catholic Church reminds us the proper order of these sacraments is:
Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Communion, emphasising the Holy Eucharist as the
high point or final stage in initiation into the Church.
Change began in 2002 All dioceses
in Scotland have made the decision to celebrate these sacraments in their
proper order and our own Bishop has
began the process of change in the year 2002.
The Diocese announced these changes to parents
and the wider community at the end of 2000. Further catechetical, pastoral and liturgical materials are now available. Opportunities for Evangelisation
The
important point is to understand the values which underlie the change in the order
and to prepare catechetically and pastorally for the transition and realise the
positive opportunities for Evangelisation. Growth is marked by Celebration The celebration of these three sacraments marks significant stages in the faith life of the child and his or her family. But there is more. The initiation of children (RCIC) is marked by three steps separated by years of growth in faith and awareness of the mysterious presence and work of God. We – parents, parish and school – need to attend to this growth and cooperate with the Holy Spirit working in the child. We do this by prayer, good example and the witness of our lives, providing a model for the children as they become full members of the Body of Jesus Christ.
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