August 2, 2010

The traditional order for administering the Sacraments of Initiation, Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist (First Communion) is to be restored in the Regina Archdiocese this fall.

Baptism is traditionally administered shortly after birth and that will remain, but Confirmation and First Communion will now take place at the same mass; Confirmation after the homily and Eucharist during the Liturgy of the Eucharist.

“This is the normal theological order of the Sacraments of Initiation since the beginnings of the church,” said Reverend Brad Fahlman chairman of the special committee established by Archbishop Daniel Bohan to oversee the restoration. Pope Pius X changed the order in 1910 because bishops were having a hard time getting around to all the Confirmation ceremonies because there so many, Fahlman explained. “Confirmation was being delayed and delayed and in some cases children were in their teens before being Confirmed and Communion comes after that, so Pope Pius X said because it is taking so long we want little kids to have First Communion so they leap frogged Communion back before Confirmation.”

When the child reaches Grade two, or about 7 years of age, Confirmation and First Communion will be received at the same service.

Parents must attend the preparation sessions with their children and can delay the child’s reception of the Sacraments for a year or so if the parent feels the child is not yet ready to take that step.

First confession now known as reconciliation will occur later and Fahlman said that may move around a bit. He acknowledged there are various views as to when a child is ready for that. “Reconciliation is a sacrament of healing, of restoration,” he said, “not a Sacrament of initiation. You need to be part of something before you can be restored to it.” He also noted that some children can barely read when they attend their First Confession and couldn’t pronounce Absolution let alone understand its meaning. “Parents will help decide when their child is ready for that,” he said.

Several churches in the Archdiocese have been part of a pilot project in the restoration and Church of Our Lady in Moose Jaw has been practicing the restored order for the last 4 years. A report on the pilot projects said there was some concern when the changes were introduced because there was little understanding of the history but once “catechists got going with it we didn’t hear any concerns at all.”

Four in-service sessions are scheduled in September for the 9 deaneries to instruct catechists, parents, priests and anyone else interested.