Dear Padre Angelo,

First of all thank you very much for the countless answers you give to the most diverse questions, reading them is very helpful!

I have to premise my question by saying that I do not agree with this practice of my diocese.

Basically, I am seeing more and more frequently that some dioceses combine 

in the same celebration the sacrament of First Communion and Confirmation.

By doing so, isn’t there a risk to  overshadow one of the two sacraments?

Thank you in advance,

Michele

Priest’s answer

Dear Michele, 

1. Unfortunately, this practice is becoming more and more common.

What you say is true: one of the two sacraments is being put on the back burner.

And it’s perfectly evident.

2. Moreover, under the pedagogical point of view, it would be more fruitful to get a separate preparation for each sacrament.

Concerning this topic, I’d like to refer to the beautiful testimony of St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus concerning the preparation for her First Communion and, later, for her Confirmation.

3. Here is what she writes concerning her First Communion: “On the evening of the great day, I received absolution for the second time. My general confession left a great peace in my soul, and God did not permit the lightest cloud to come and trouble me. In the afternoon, I begged pardon from the whole family who came to see me, but I wasn’t able to speak except through my tears, so much was I moved” (Story of a Soul, 108).

4. And then, “The “beautiful day of days” finally arrived. The smallest details of that heavenly day have left unspeakable memories in my soul! (…).

I don’t want to go into detail here. There are certain things that lose their perfume as soon as they are exposed to the air; there are deep spiritual thoughts which cannot be expressed in human language without losing their intimate and heavenly meaning (…).

It was a kiss of love; I felt that I was loved, and I said: “I love You, and I give myself to You forever!” There were no demands made, no struggles, no sacrifices; for a long time now Jesus and poor little Thérèse looked at and understood each other. That day, it was no longer simply a look, it was a fusion; they were no longer two, Thérèse had vanished as a drop of water was lost in the immensity of the ocean. Jesus alone remained; He was the Master, the King.” (Story of a Soul, 109).

5. She then recalls what happened in the afternoon, when the children gathered again to pronounce the act of consecration to Our Lady.

6. “A short time after my First Communion, I entered upon another retreat for my Confirmation, I was prepared with great care to receive the visit of the Holy Spirit, and I did not understand why greater attention was not paid to the reception of this sacrament of Love (…). 

Like the Apostles, I awaited the Holy Spirit’s visit with great happiness in my soul.

I rejoiced at the thought of soon being a perfect Christian and especially at that of having eternally on my forehead the mysterious cross the Bishop marks when conferring this sacrament. Finally the happy moment arrived, and I did not experience an impetuous wind at the moment of the Holy Spirit’s descent but rather this light breeze which the prophet Elias heard on Mount Horeb.

On that day, I received the strength to suffer, for soon afterward the martyrdom of my soul was about to commence”. (Story of a Soul, 114).

7. From a purely theological perspective, Confirmation should come before First Communion.

Adult baptism is done according to this principle: the believer will receive baptism, he will be confirmed and will make First Communion in the same celebration.

8. Concerning infant baptism, the Catholic Church does not deem it appropriate to give it at the same moment of Holy Communion: such a crucial moment would not have adequate preparation. This is the reason why I personally would prefer to keep the two sacraments separated.

9. However, according to other  opinions I heard, many parents are okay with this process as it allows them to get everything done in one celebration.

I have heard this statement firsthand from mothers who are particularly active within the Christian community.

And uniting two sacraments also allows many pastors not to  duplicate catechism classes.

But strictly speaking about the spiritual usefulness for children, it would be more appropriate to go back to the previous practice, or at least to separate the celebration of the two sacraments.

I bless you, I wish you well, and I will remember you in my prayers.

Father Angelo 

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