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Hi,

I am a Roman Catholic who recently joined this Forum to learn more about Byzantine Catholicism and I have some questions.

1. Infant Communion: From what I have read, the main reason for this is so that children can be accepted as full members of the Church. This might be too simplistic of an answer. Is there something else that I am missing? Do infants continue to receive communion? I am just wondering how this is done. (I am also imagining my 7-month old daughter and I just can't imagine anyone trying to get something into her mouth.)

2. Confession/Reconciliation/Penance: At what age, do children receive this Sacrament(Mystery)? How often are you encouraged to go?

3. Christmas: I know that St. Nicholas' Day is an important feast day. How is it celebrated? Are gifts received on St. Nicholas' Day and Christmas day? What are some of your Advent/Christmas traditions?

4. Santa Claus and the Easter bunny: Do Byzantine Catholic children believe in Santa Claus and the Easter bunny? I know that I was reading an article on a Web site lamenting the fact that St. Nicholas has been so watered down into the person we know as Santa Claus.

5. Saints: Are there any recently canonized saints who are Eastern Catholic? Do they follow the same canonization process?

6. Divine Liturgy: For someone who has never been to a Divine Liturgy and is a little nervous about making a mistake, do you have any suggestions of things that I should know before going? Are children welcome to attend the Divine Liturgy? My daughter (7 months old) is a good baby but sometimes talks at inappropriate times in Church.

I hope that my ignorance about Byzantine Catholicism does not offend anyone. Thanks for your reply.

Thanks,
Christina

Welcome Christina,

Thank you for the very excellent questions. I think I can answer a few of your questions but many of the other posters are more knowledgeable than I am. You may also wish to check out a couple of websites http://byzantinecatholic.com/ and http://saintelias.com/ for information on two excellent BC parishes. Also, I take it you live near Marietta. As you know there is a BC Church there.

1. Infant communion: All three initiatory sacraments following the most ancient practices are received by infants when these children are part of families who are in the Church. When an adult is intitiated in the Church the same practice is followed. Infants receive the Eucharist all throughout their lives. This also follows the most ancient practice of the Catholic/Orthodox Churches. Rome changed this for Latin use, though I've forgotten when. The East places a premium upon the mysteries of the grace of God. Hence, we did not follow the Western more rationalistic practice of training before mysteries. The younger the infant is included the more he/she acts as though she/he is included. I've never noticed a problem with an infant receiving the Eucharist. We follow the sequence: Baptism, Chrismation, the Eucharist. This is the normal and most ancient sequence. I must admit I do not understand the usual Roman practice of Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation. It seems out of sinc.

2. Children are encouraged to receive the sacrament of reconciliation whenever they need to receive it. Though catechesis for this sacrament is done in our Church during a child's seventh year. We are encouraged to go as often as needed but certainly during the two Great Fasts: St. Phillip's Fast and the Great Fast preceding Pascha.

4. St. Nicholas is highly honored in our Church. Santa Claus is never mentioned.

6. Don't worry about mistakes. Note you will receive communion through a spoon. Don't be shocked. We sing and do not use musical instruments. Just watch and follow as you are able. If Marietta Church is anything like ours we are very used to children. Don't worry about it. Infants are always welcome.

Dan Lauffer

Christina,

Welcome! God bless you. Let me take a stab at your questions on the Eastern Church.

1. Infant Communion: I think it might be best said we give infants communion for the same reason you baptize them. The form is usually just a drop of wine.

2. Confession/Reconciliation/Penance: Not that different from the Roman Church.

3. Christmas: We don't have advent, strictly speaking. Our Christmas customs vary by culture and nationality and as Americans we follow many American customs

4. Santa Claus and the Easter bunny: Like I say, we are Americans, too.

5. Saints: This is an internal Catholic juridical matter. I beleive the Eastern Catholic patriarchial churches have the right to establish their own offices for the public veneration of persons within their particular church (not all have elected to use this right). Catholics usually call those people venerated in particular communities "Blessed" and those venerated by Catholics everywhere "Saint".

6. Divine Liturgy: One cannot make mistake! If your daughter stands when other sit, makes the sign of cross the Latin way instead of the Greek, can't follow Slavonic, sings off key, howls, or sits in Mrs. Fedoravitch's pew when she and her late husband sat for fifty years, the good Christian will just smile and think she is cute new addition to our world. And as for the bad Christian, well, we really don't care what they think.

By the way, if you do any of those things yourself, the good Christians will think you are a cute newby as well. Be prepared for some mothering.

Axios

WOW Christina! Welcome to the Forum!

You have GOOD questions!

I'll answer them the best I can. Of course there are others on the forum who may have better answer than I.

I will give you the answers in CAPITAL LETTERS, so don't think I'm yelling at you! Your questions are not in anyway offensive and are very good questions.

1. Infant Communion: From what I have read, the main reason for this is so that children can be accepted as full members of the Church. This might be too simplistic of an answer. Is there something else that I am missing? Do infants continue to receive communion? I am just wondering how this is done. (I am also imagining my 7-month old daughter and I just can't imagine anyone trying to get something into her mouth.)

MY ANSWER: IN OUR TRADITION, WHEN BABIES ARE BAPTIZED, THEY ARE ALSO CHRISMATED (CONFIRMED). THEY ARE FULL MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH, SO WHY DO WE DEPRIVE THEM OF OUR LORD? AFTER ALL, IT IS JESUS WHO SAID THAT "ALL CHILDREN COME TO ME." OF COURSE WE DON'T FORCE IT ON THEM. SOMETIMES BABIES TURN THEIR HEADS AWAY..SOMETIMES THEY GLEEFULLY OPEN THEIR MOUTHS. THEY RECEIVE HOLY COMMUNION FROM THE SPOON JUST LIKE EVERY ONE ELSE.

GET THIS, WE ALL RECEIVE BOTH SPECIES...BODY AND BLOOD THAT IS IN THE HOLY CHALICE. AND THE PRIEST SAYS, "(name of person) RECEIVE THE SACRED BODY AND PRECIOUS BLOOD OF CHRIST TO PRESERVE YOUR SOUL UNTO LIFE EVERLASTING. AMEN" WE DON'T SAY "AMEN" LIKE RCC (ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH). WE CROSS OUR ARMS OVER OUR CHEST AND WE TILT OUR HEADS SO THE PRIEST CAN DIP THE BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST IN YOUR MOUTH WITH THE SPOON.

2. Confession/Reconciliation/Penance: At what age, do children receive this Sacrament(Mystery)? How often are you encouraged to go?

MY ANSWER: I CAN'T REMEMBER HOW OLD I WAS WHEN I RECEIVE THE MYSTERY OF CONFESSION. SO THE FOLKS HERE MIGHT GIVE YOU A BETTER ANSWER OF WHAT AGE CHILDREN BEGIN RECEIVING THIS MYSTERY. BUT HOW OFTEN DO YOU GO? WELL, HOW OFTEN DO YOU GO TO YOUR CONFESSION? SO THE FREQUENCY OF CONFESSION WOULD BE THE SAME AS RCC. OF COURSE YOU HAVE TO BE IN "THE STATE OF GRACE" TO RECEIVE THE MYSTERY OF EUCHARIST.

3. Christmas: I know that St. Nicholas' Day is an important feast day. How is it celebrated? Are gifts received on St. Nicholas' Day and Christmas day? What are some of your Advent/Christmas traditions?

MY ANSWER: AS FOR THE FEAST OF ST. NICHOLAS, THERE ARE MANY PARISHES THAT HAVE FUNDRAISER DINNERS OR BAKE SALES. IT'S ANOTHER HOLY DAY THAT WE HAVE JUST LIKE ANY OTHER HOLY DAYS. SO AS FAR AS "I" KNOW, THERE IS NO SPECIAL TRADITION ADHERE TO THIS FEAST DAY. IT DEPENDS ON WHAT PARISH YOU IN, ESPECIALLY THE PARISH WHO HAVE HIM AS THEIR PATRON. SO OUR CELEBRATION OF CHRISTMAS IS JUST LIKE EVERYONE ELSE.

HOWEVER, WE PREPARE FOR CHRISTMAS WITH "PHILLIP'S FAST" OR "ADVENT FAST" BEGINNING ON NOVEMBER 15TH. SO WE ABSTAIN FROM CERTAIN FOODS (INCLUDING MEAT AND ALL DAIRY PRODUCTS AS WELL AS WINE AND OIL) PREFERRABLLY ON MONDAYS, WEDNESDAYS AND FRIDAYS. YES WE FAST, BUT IT'S NOT A STRICT FAST LIKE GREAT LENT. SO OUR ADVENT FAST LASTS 40 DAYS...IT BEGINS AT SUNDOWN NOVEMBER 15TH AND ENDS DURING THE HOLY COMMUNION ON CHRISTMAS DAY.

AFTER CHRISTMAS DAY, THERE IS A WHOLE WEEK THAT EVERYBODY IS ABSOLUTELY FORBIDDEN TO FAST!!!

SO OUR PREPARATION IS LONGER THAN RCC (RCC BEGINS PREPARATION ON FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT).

WE DON'T HAVE "ADVENT WREATHS" OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT.

4. Santa Claus and the Easter bunny: Do Byzantine Catholic children believe in Santa Claus and the Easter bunny? I know that I was reading an article on a Web site lamenting the fact that St. Nicholas has been so watered down into the person we know as Santa Claus.

MY ANSWER: WELL, THERE ARE SOME FOLKS WHO TAKE ST. NICHOLAS SERIOUSLY, AS HE IS ONE OF THE REVERED EASTERN SAINTS. HOWEVER, OF COURSE CHILDREN DO BELIEVE IN "SANTA CLAUS," WHICH IS SIMPLY A WESTERN WORLD CUSTOM, ESPECIALLY IN ENGLAND AND AMERICA. IT'S PURELY AN AMERICAN FOLKLORE. SO WHY NOT LET CHILDREN HAVE FUN WITH MAKE BELIEVE. BUT AS LONG AS THE MESSAGE IS CLEAR: IT'S A SEASON OF GIVING.

5. Saints: Are there any recently canonized saints who are Eastern Catholic? Do they follow the same canonization process?

MY ANSWER: HIS HOLINESS, JOHN PAUL II WENT TO UKRAINE IN JUNE OF 2001 AND BEAUTIFIED 28 UKRAINIAN MARTYRS (SOME OF THEM ARE RC). BUT AS FAR AS CANONIZATION PROCESS, THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION. THERE ARE SOME LOCAL CHURCHES THAT CANONIZE SAINTS THAT ISN'T RECOGNIZED UNIVERSALLY, ESPECIALLY THE ORTHODOX CHURCHES. SO TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION, IT WOULD BE YES AND NO. BUT OTHERS ON THE FORUM WILL EXPLAIN IT A LOT BETTER THAN I.

6. Divine Liturgy: For someone who has never been to a Divine Liturgy and is a little nervous about making a mistake, do you have any suggestions of things that I should know before going? Are children welcome to attend the Divine Liturgy? My daughter (7 months old) is a good baby but sometimes talks at inappropriate times in Church.

MY ANSWER: DO NOT BE NERVOUS. OF COURSE YOUR CHILDREN IS WELCOME. IF CHILDREN MAKES A LOUD NOISE, JUST SIMPLY WHISK HIM/HER OUT FOR A MOMENT, OTHERWISE IF HE/SHE TALKS A LITTLE..LOW VOICE..THAT'S OKAY. WE ARE NOT AS RIGID AND LEGALISTIC AS THE RCC. SO DON'T WORRY. JUST FOLLOW WHAT OTHER PEOPLE ARE DOING. WE MAKE THE SIGN OF THE CROSS USING TWO INDEX FINGERS AND A THUMB FROM THE LEFT TO THE RIGHT AS OPPOSED TO WHAT RCC DOES...LEFT TO RIGHT.

WHEN YOU RECEIVE HOLY COMMUNION, CROSS YOUR ARMS OVER THE CHEST, TILT YOUR HEAD (DON'T SAY "AMEN")...AND FOR THE LOVE OF GOD DO NOT STICK YOUR TONGUE OUT. WHY? BECAUSE IF YOU DO, THERE IS A CHANCE THE BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST CAN ROLL OFF OF YOUR TONGUE AND FALL OFF ONTO THE FLOOR!!!

WE DO NOT GENUFLECT, BUT INSTEAD WE MAKE A DEEP BOW.

WE STAND MOST OF THE TIME, SO IF YOU FEEL YOU ARE TIRED, YOU ARE WELCOME TO SIT DOWN. THERE ARE LOT OF PEOPLE MAKING SIGN OF CROSSES WHENEVER THE HOLY TRINITY IS MENTIONED (...TO THE FATHER AND TO THE SON AND TO THE HOLY SPIRIT...) AS WELL AS THE TRISAGION (HOLY GOD, HOLY MIGHTY, HOLY IMMORTAL HAVE MERCY ON US 3X'S).

YOU CAN USE THE MISSALS IF THEY HAVE IT. BUT I ENCOURAGE YOU TO PAY ATTENTION TO THE DIVINE LITURGY RATHER THAN THE BOOK, BECAUSE THERE ARE A WHOLE LOT GOING ON AND JUST BE ABSORBED INTO IT. ENJOY IT. I FEEL SAD TO SEE MANY RC KEEPING THEIR EYES TOTALLY FIXED INTO THE MISSAL..AND THEY ARE TOTALLY MISSING OUT WHAT IS HAPPENING..WHAT IS GOING ON...WE HAVE MANY BEAUTIFUL GESTURES, RITUALS, ETC.

DON'T WORRY IF YOU ARE LOST IN THE LITURGY. YOU CAN ASK SOMEONE NEXT TO YOU..WHERE IN THE MISSAL THE LITURGY IS AT...OR WHATEVER.

THE THING IS, IF SOMEONE IS DOING SOMETHING DIFFERENT...LIKE PERSONAL PIETY...LIKE MAKING SIGN OF CROSS 5 TIMES OR BOWING ALL THE WAY TO FLOOR AND TOUCHING YOUR HANDS ON THE FLOOR OR PROSTRATE, NO ONE PAYS ATTENTION. IF YOU'RE IN RCC, PEOPLE NOTICE AND "STARE AT YOU" WHEN YOU'RE DOING SOMETHING DIFFERENT...SO THAT'S NOT THE CASE IN THE BYZANTINE CHURCHES...PEOPLE DON'T JUDGE YOU OR STARE AT YOU IF YOU'RE DOING SOMETHING DIFFERENT. SO DON'T WORRY. SMILE. BE HAPPY. ABSORB THE BEAUTY OF GOD'S HOUSE...THE GLORIOUS LITURGY AND THE LOVE OF GOD IN THE HOLY MYSTERIES.

I WISH YOU WELL AND LET ME KNOW HOW IT WENT FOR YOU WHEN YOU GO TO DIVINE LITURGY.

GOD BLESS.

SPDundas
Deaf Byzantine

Glory to Jesus Christ! Welcome to the forum, Christina. You have asked some great questions which would take a lot of space to answer in great detail. I will take a shot at some of your initial questions and excuse my very abbreviated and imperfect answers.

In the Byzantine tradition, Baptism is immediately followed by Chrismation ( the equivalent of Roman Confirmation) and the infant receives the Holy Mysteries of the Body and Blood of Christ (Eucharist). These are administered concurrently in one service. In many parishes, an attempt is being made to restore the service of Initiation back into the Sunday Divine Liturgy.

You are correct, that the child is then fully initiated as a child of God and member of the parish community. The child then receives communion as often as the parents will bring him/her forward to receive. It is interesting that when the child/infant receives the first time the priest says the words "Taste and see how good the Lord is".

For very small infants the priest will place just a bit of the Precious Blood on the spoon and one very small particle of the Precious Body no bigger than the head of a pin and administer that to the child.

The sacrament of Confession/Penance is given when the child is ready, anywhere from seven or so on.

As there is much diversity in the practice of certain traditions, I can only say how we celebrate St. Nicholas day in our house. It is on December 6, December 19th on the older Julian Calendar. The evening before we will go to Vespers and have a party for the kids, and the next morning when they wake up there are presents for them. In our house the kids get presents on St. Nicholas Day, not Christmas.

Christmas Eve (the night of December 24th or January 6th on the older Julian Calendar) is when we have what is called the "Holy Supper" (Sviatiy Vechir) which is a meatless meal as in the Byzantine tradition the fast for Christmas continues until after the midnight service, which is called Great Compline in the Slavic (Ukrainian/Russian) practice.

This meal is full of traditions such as twelve different dishes, served in a definite order, each with its own symbolism, and other individual family practices such as commemoration of the family departed, singing carols or other songs. This in itself could fill a book with the various traditions and symbolisms of the Christmas eve dinner. We have retained some pretty wild Carpathian traditions in our home, such as flipping the kutya (boiled wheat) on the ceiling and seeing whose stays up there the longest...

Christmas Day is filled with Divine Liturgy, a dinner to break the fast, carolling, Christmas plays, meeting friends and relatives, etc.

Some of the other members of the forum can jump in on some of these questions about Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny. In our house we don't really recognize either, and Santa is the guy in the suit at the mall (definitely NOT St. Nicholas) and the Easter bunny usually ends up on the dinner table.

In terms of saints, we recognize most that the Orthodox also recognize. Several Eastern Catholic saints have been canonized throughout the last few hundred years, and many were recently beatified who were martyrs of the Soviet regimes.

The canonization process in the East is different from the Roman process, but most Eastern Catholic churches are generally compliant with the Roman process for canonization of recent saints. In the future it is possible that the Eastern Churches will follow their own Eastern processes of canonization.

There are always saints and holy ones venerated by certain churches that are not "officially" canonized but the devotion shown those holy ones is often very fervent and a sort of implicit devotional canonization develops within that church that is not always formally recognized by Rome, but there is no doubt about the efficacy and holiness of the person being venerated.

Lastly, with regards to the Divine Liturgy, just go and don't worry about anything. Most Eastern Catholic churches have plenty of Romans and other non-Eastern Christians visiting and it should not be a big deal with the parish. And since most Eastern liturgies are sung, with lots of motion and singing, again don't worry about your children.

It will be very different liturgically with what you are used to in the Roman liturgy, in terms of the prayers, the physical structure of the church with the icons and iconostas, the standing of the people during much of the liturgy, vestments, incense, liturgical music, and many other things.

There is much informational material available about the Eastern Churches if you want to look into it further. The priest of the church you are visiting can probably suggest some material and many people on this forum can also help you out with other resources.

Subdeacon Randolph, a sinner

Dear Christina,

Welcome to the forum. The others have provided information and good advice about the Holy Mysteries and the Divine Liturgy.

I would like to offer a few links to biographical data about some of our Eastern Saints. For short bios of the New Martyrs beatified by Pope John Paul II last year in Ukraine, this link is a good one:

http://www.papalvisit.org.ua/eng/martyrsbio.php

For a listing of some other Eastern Catholic
Saints, check this page:

http://www.papalvisit.org.ua/eng/saints.php

One of the notable saints is Pope St. Clement I, the fourth Pope, who died in exile in Crimea circa AD 100. Also, the last Pope considered a martyr, St. Martin I, died in exile in what is now Ukraine.

Some of our greatest heroes were not Martyrs, but they were leaders of the underground Church during the Nazi and Soviet years in Eastern Europe. Brief bios are here:

http://www.papalvisit.org.ua/eng/ugcc_leaders.php

Even better bios of Blessed Nicholas Charnetsky and companions:

http://www.archeparchy.ca/archeparchy/martyrs.htm#Materials

An excellent biography of Metropolitan Andrew Sheptytsky can be found on the website of St. Cyril and Methodius Church, under the title "Articles of Interest".

http://members.tripod.com/~stcyrils/

A lot to read, hopefully helpful.

Have a Blessed Day !!!

John
Pilgrim and Odd Duck

Dear All,
Thanks for your replies. I am still digesting all of the information but it is very helpful.

Dan,

>>I must admit I do not understand the usual Roman practice of Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation. It seems out of sinc.

If you don't mind, I wanted to try to explain my understanding for the order of these Sacraments in the Roman church.

The church waits until a child is old enough to have an understanding of the Eucharist and can give praise to God. But besides the most saintly of children, I am not sure how many 7-8 year olds (I think about the average age for the Sacrament of the Eucharist - although it varies by diocese) really understand what they are receiving. I certainly didn't!

Confirmation is given to older children (ages 12-16). I think that it is viewed as sacrament of initiation in adulthood. You are now viewed as an adult member of the Church. As the Holy Spirit came upon the Apostles leading them to preach, children receive the Sacrament of Confirmation and are encouraged to now preach all that they have learned about the Catholic Church.

As you stated, it is a "rationalistic" approach. I hope that this helps!

You stated, "The younger the infant is included the more he/she acts as though she/he is included. "

That makes a lot of sense to me too.

Christina

Dear SPDundas,

You stated:

AS WELL AS THE TRISAGION (HOLY GOD, HOLY MIGHTY, HOLY IMMORTAL HAVE MERCY ON US 3X'S).

This is interesting to me! Saint Faustina was recently canonized a saint. She was a Polish nun in the early part of this century who received visits from Jesus who told her to write down what he told her in a diary. One of the things that Jesus gave her is the Chaplet of Divine Mercy which ends in, "Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world." (also said three times)

Roman Catholics don't say this as a part of the Mass, so it is interesting that Eastern Rite Catholics say something close to it as part of the Divine Liturgy.

Christina

Christina,

Please allow this Latin to welcome you here

I can't really answer your questions - the others know so much more than I do - and this thread so far has given me a lot of information

One thought about Infant Communion though - and this is a very personal one - do we have the right to deny a child Spiritual Food ? We give a Child food so that they will grow in strength and maturity - can we not also see that they Receive Our Lord as well for their spiritual growth ?

Sadly I can get to Liturgy very rarely - but I find something there that my soul craves. Yes the first time I went I got totally lost [ mind it was all in Ukrainian so I did have an excuse ] But after that it did get a bit easier and I really look forward to the late Spring when DV I will be able to go again.

Please for my sake if for no other reason - do go on asking questions.

Angela

PS Diak - how would you like to pick up a PM ?

Christina, don't be shy about asking questions here. There's plenty of folks around who are more than happy to respond and who have plenty of
e-wind to do so

Angela, sorry I took so long to open that and respond. God bless.

Christina,

Yes, the Trisagion is very OLD, probably dating back in the early Liturgy of St. James/St. Basil. I don't remember who wrote it. But it is indeed very old.

Also, the Doxology prayers (Glory to God in the highest....) is very old...very Eastern. The priest says it before the beginning of the Liturgy. So the RCC borrowed it and incorporated into their Liturgy.

I agree with some the posters here that said spiritual nourishment (Eucharist) is very important to infants growing up to be properly fed. Why wait until one is 16 years old to be confirmed to spread God's word? All people can spread God's word. There are many children (saintly children) who have done so.

The RCC originally had all three Mysteries done on infants. I don't know when that has changed though. Anyone know?

But keep asking away! There'll be plenty more you'll have! Heh. God bless.

SPDundas
Deaf Byzantine

PS, Perhaps the other Eastern Catholics on the forum...Coptics...Maronites...or any other...could enlighten Christina with information about your tradition?

Dear Christina,

Hello and welcome to the forum. I am not a Byzantine Catholic but rather an Armenian Catholic. If you are wondering what we are all about, I have a web-site which could show you a little.

You ask excellent questions. I'll just add a couple of things to the wonderful and thorough info you've already been given.

you asked:
1. Infant Communion: From what I have read, the main reason for this is so that children can be accepted as full members of the Church. This might be too simplistic of an answer. Is there something else that I am missing? Do infants continue to receive communion? I am just wondering how this is done. (I am also imagining my 7-month old daughter and I just can't imagine anyone trying to get something into her mouth.)

reply:
As for the reasons for the practice of infant Communion, I like the explanation given by Rome best. This is an excerpt from the "Instruction for Applying the Liturgical Prescriptions of the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches" which was issued from Rome, it states:

"Finally, the administration of the Divine Eucharist to infant neophytes is not limited to only the moment of the celebration of Initiation. Eucharist is the Bread of life, and infants need to be nourished constantly, from then on, to grow spiritually. The method of their participation in the Eucharist corresponds to their capacity: they will initially be different from the adults, inevitably less aware and not very rational, but they will progressively develop, through the grace and pedagogy of the sacrament, to grow until "mature manhood to the extent of the full stature of Christ" (cf. Eph. 4:13). The sacrament is always a gift which operates efficiently, in different ways just as every person is different. Special celebrations which correspond to the various steps of human growth can possibly be of some use for the pedagogy of the faith and to accompany specifically the indispensable catechesis of children and young people, but it must be clear that the initiation into the Mystery of Christ is totally complete upon receiving the first three sacraments." (Section 51)

you said:

The church waits until a child is old enough to have an understanding of the Eucharist and can give praise to God. But besides the most saintly of children, I am not sure how many 7-8 year olds (I think about the average age for the Sacrament of the Eucharist - although it varies by diocese) really understand what they are receiving. I certainly didn't!

Confirmation is given to older children (ages 12-16). I think that it is viewed as sacrament of initiation in adulthood. You are now viewed as an adult member of the Church. As the Holy Spirit came upon the Apostles leading them to preach, children receive the Sacrament of Confirmation and are encouraged to now preach all that they have learned about the Catholic Church.

reply:
Excuse me, but when you say "the Church" I know you mean "the Latin Church." Remember, we are part of "the Church" too. I'm not sure if you know this but the practice of the Latin Church is very recent. Infact, Holy Communion and Confirmation have only flip-flopped in order in the last century in the Latin Church. I understand that Confirmation used to be administered somewhere between the ages seven and nine (back when the Latin bishops used to slap the kids on the cheek). Holy Communion was received after this. Pope Pius X decided that children should not wait so long to receive Holy Communion and this was when Latin Church inverted the order of intiation. Their children then began to actually receive Holy Communion before their Holy Chrismation or Confirmation.

As for the question of how an infant can recieve the Body and Blood at such an early age, I used to wonder about this too. But being that this has been practiced since earliest centuries of the Church, I guess its not that difficult. I am happy to report that when we had our last child Anthony, the very first food to enter his mouth (besides his mother's milk) was the Divine Body and Blood of Christ (a very tiny particle) and he received it very successfully at about three weeks old. There's not a much more wonderful feeling than seeing a little innocent receive the precious Body and Blood of Christ! I can't wait to see out next child do this too. Hope this helps a little...

In Christ's Light,

Ghazar

Dear Christina,

Welcome to the Forum!

So what do you make of all these responses?

Alex

Ghazar,

Thanks for your reply. Congratulations on the birth of your son! My daughter is just 7 months old. She is our first. Children are such a joy.

>>Excuse me, but when you say "the Church" I know you mean "the Latin Church." Remember, we are part of "the Church" too.

Sorry for that. You are correct. I meant the Latin Church. I am really just learning (or re-learning) about the Eastern Catholic Church and so despite my best efforts, I do slip up every once in a while in my terminology.

Christina

Alex,

I am really embarassed at how little I understood about the Eastern Catholic Churches. I think that God has been sending me little messages to learn more about them.

All of the responses have been really helpful. A lot of it does make sense to me. I am not exactly sure why children of the Roman rite need to wait to become full members of the Church. As I stated in a previous post, I don't think most children who receive the Eucharist at a later age in the Latin church really understand what they are receiving anyway.

Although in general, I find the Catholic Church to have wonderful mystical and symbolic qualities but with what I have read the Eastern Catholic Churches seem to be even more mystical and symbolic than the Roman Churches. For example, I never knew why Roman Catholics make the sign of the cross on their left shoulder then right shoulder. The explanation for why Eastern Catholics make the sign of the cross on the right shoulder first (to signify Jesus' ascension to the right hand of God) is really beautiful. I think it makes you think more about what you are doing when you make the sign of the cross when it has a deep symbolic meaning.

I need to go to a Divine Liturgy so that I can experience for myself.

Christina