the faith of a child…

… Seems there is a buzz being generated about the topic of age of reason for children recieving their first Holy Communion, largely due to this article. Since this is a bone of contention with me I will allow myself to indulge and post about a news item that has been blogged to death about already.

I may never understand the Romans practice of a child’s formation in preparation for their sacraments. Children are born with amazing faith. The older they get the more the world begins it’s influence and that perfect unwavering faith of a child starts to wither and corrupt with doubt.

Why wait till they are 8 or 9 to receive the Body of Christ?

How much catechism does a child already believing with their whole heart need? Certainly not 2 years of complete and utter rubbish taught by unqualified, but well meaning, parents whose only interest in teaching faith formation extends to the fact their own children are involved.

I know not all parent’s practice their faith to the fullest so it is imperative that faith formation exists for those children. I know these classes were once taught by nuns whose numbers are diminishing. Some one has to do the job. I get the dilemma. It would almost seem like a no win situation with no right solution… almost.

… There is always communicating infants at Baptism and Chrismation. Just saying is all. Then you don’t have to worry with the blurred lines of “age of reason”. It’s the Body of Christ. Either you believe it or you don’t. Do I need to fully understand the theology of the transubstantiation. No. I am called to believe. Hell, there are even adults well over the official “age of reason” who don’t get that much.

I’m just saying… my seven year old son has gotten “it” for years now and it seems stupid for him to continue to wait to receive those graces associated with the sacrament.

Heck, to most of my family it’s just another reason to get dressed up, eat cake and drink. I just may follow through with all my threats after all.