From a reader…
QUAERITUR:
My husband and I could potentially have our three children (ages 5, 2, and infant) receive their remaining Sacraments of Initiation while on an extended visit with family in a different state. Though Latin Rite, we attended an Ukrainian Catholic Church when we ourselves lived in that state. Before we approach our priest and theirs, we were wondering if there’s any reason why would shouldn’t pursue this option.
Prompting this are a few things:
1) we do not live in a diocese with the restored Rite, and 2) our eldest has special needs and is on his own timetable for the reception of the Sacraments.
By “remaining Sacraments of Initiation” I presume you mean Confirmation and First Holy Communion. Presumably all three children are already baptized. I’m not exactly certain what you mean by the “restored Rite”. Has the diocese in which you live not yet implemented the liturgical books promulgated after the Council? Or do you consider the allowance for the use of the liturgical books in force in 1962 under the provisions of Summorum Pontificum to be the “restored Rite?” Or (and if I had to bet money, I would guess this is what is meant) do you mean the restored order of the sacraments, where Confirmation is put before First Holy Communion and is administered at about the age of reason?
While all Catholic Churches are in full communion with each other, and sacramental sharing is ordinarily acceptable, there is a lot to be said for living the traditions and practices of one’s own Church.
We Latins respect the traditions of the Eastern Churches, but we also respect our own traditions and practices. (This is one reason why I think that our Latin churches should look like our Latin churches and not be made over as quasi Eastern churches.)
To introduce a Latin child to reception of the Holy Eucharist before the age of reason is not in keeping with our venerable tradition and practice. Canon 913 speaks of administering the Blessed Sacrament to children once they have sufficient knowledge. This ties into can. 97, wherein the age of reason is presumed to be 7.
While our Eastern brothers administer this sacrament to infants, that is not our Latin tradition. Again, we respect their tradition, but we also respect our own.
It is also to be asked: Under normal circumstances, what benefit is there in having one’s children receive the sacraments apart from the other children of their own parish?
