tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4598228705498900088.post392796352617720749..comments2024-03-12T07:54:08.013+00:00Comments on Offerimus Tibi Domine: Children should make First Communion "as soon as they are able" - Cardinal CanizaresFr Simon Henryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05375804232895565241noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4598228705498900088.post-63699751933492248342012-03-13T11:47:10.769+00:002012-03-13T11:47:10.769+00:00A timely reminder from the Cardinal…! I well recal...A timely reminder from the Cardinal…! I well recall the nuns relating St. Pius X’s words to us when preparing us for First Confession and First Holy Communion some 60 years ago.<br /><br />I never understood the post-Vat II aberration of having First Confession <i>after</i> First Communion. If you are deemed to understand right from wrong at seven years of age - the ‘age of reason’ - it made eminent sense that you made your First Confession at that time and <i>before</i> receiving Holy Communion.<br /><br />Interestingly, as to timing, I read recently that the Holy Father commended the bishop of Fargo, Bishop Aquila, for administering Confirmation <i>before</i> First Communion in his diocese. For seven years now the Diocese of Fargo, North Dakota, has had this practice of administering Confirmation at an earlier age and before First Communion.<br /><br />Here in the US Confirmation has been delayed to a later age in many dioceses, with most receiving it near the end of High School at about 16 – 17 years of age. I have heard arguments for and against the conferring of the Sacrament of Confirmation at a later age.<br /><br />On the one hand the reasoning was that it made for a ‘more mature’ commitment at the later age. On the other hand the earlier age was seen as a further strengthening of Faith in preparation for the challenges of the teen years when many young people fall away from the Faith.<br /><br />I am more persuaded by the latter argument. In my day we were Confirmed at about age 11 – 12. I believe that in the Orthodox Church Confirmation - “Chrismation” - is conferred at, or soon after, Baptism. Perhaps we need a review of the timing of these Sacraments and some norms to be followed by the universal Church?GORhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14313101159848740722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4598228705498900088.post-87754978462528987182012-03-13T11:36:57.281+00:002012-03-13T11:36:57.281+00:00Dear Stephen.
I don't know why you should be s...Dear Stephen.<br />I don't know why you should be surprised. I'm not a news service!<br />I blog as time allows and on things that catch my interest. In this particular case a great many other good Catholic bloggers have said anything I might say. As it happens,anyone who was at Mass here on Sunday would have heard the Archbishops' Letter read out and my own strong endorsement of it, including encouragement to sign the petition.Fr Simon Henryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05375804232895565241noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4598228705498900088.post-72315841089868093872012-03-12T14:34:41.398+00:002012-03-12T14:34:41.398+00:00I am surprised that there is no reference to the l...I am surprised that there is no reference to the letter re Gay Marriage from Westminster on your blog Father.Stephennoreply@blogger.com