As a Byzantine Ruthenian, I would say our approach to the Eucharist is more in line with Pope Francis's comments that it is good for the sick. Our kids received all the sacraments, in order, as babies and continue to receive Christ ever since.
While in the US there was a trend to make first confessions a pseudo first communion, my observa…
As a Byzantine Ruthenian, I would say our approach to the Eucharist is more in line with Pope Francis's comments that it is good for the sick. Our kids received all the sacraments, in order, as babies and continue to receive Christ ever since.
While in the US there was a trend to make first confessions a pseudo first communion, my observation is that the modern trend is that children are prepared as appropriate to their maturity and then go. The prior practice grew largely out of a lack of confidence in our historical practice, and a desire on the part of rite transferring Latin Rite Catholics to have an equivalent to what they had as kids.
FWIW, my observation is that neither path is a failsafe against falling away. Plenty of my peers who got dressed up in white shirts and gowns for first confession have fallen out just as many Latin Rite Catholics drop out after First Communion or Chrismation. Ultimately it matters a lot more what example the parents set and what they teach. That said, I've never understood why the Latin Rite made it harder on parents by denying access to the graces of Confirmation and Communion ASAP.
As a Byzantine Ruthenian, I would say our approach to the Eucharist is more in line with Pope Francis's comments that it is good for the sick. Our kids received all the sacraments, in order, as babies and continue to receive Christ ever since.
While in the US there was a trend to make first confessions a pseudo first communion, my observation is that the modern trend is that children are prepared as appropriate to their maturity and then go. The prior practice grew largely out of a lack of confidence in our historical practice, and a desire on the part of rite transferring Latin Rite Catholics to have an equivalent to what they had as kids.
FWIW, my observation is that neither path is a failsafe against falling away. Plenty of my peers who got dressed up in white shirts and gowns for first confession have fallen out just as many Latin Rite Catholics drop out after First Communion or Chrismation. Ultimately it matters a lot more what example the parents set and what they teach. That said, I've never understood why the Latin Rite made it harder on parents by denying access to the graces of Confirmation and Communion ASAP.