St. Paul Catholic Church

Preparing for a Restored Order of Sacraments at St. Paul Catholic Church

 

Dear Parents of St. Paul,

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One of the exciting things we anticipate for many of our children this year is the opportunity for them to complete their sacramental initiation into the Church. Please read the following information carefully before registering your child for sacrament preparation.

 

Last year, Bishop Wack shared a renewed vision of catechesis in his pastoral letter, “Reborn, Anointed, Nourished: Faith & Formation for Life.” In tandem, updated guidelines were given for the reception of sacraments within our Diocese of Pensacola - Tallahassee. At St. Paul, we are taking our bishop’s message to heart and look forward to implementing the best practices for preparing our parishioners for the sacraments.

 

What sacraments can my child receive?

Once they have reached the age of reason, the new norm for baptized children is to be confirmed and then to receive First Holy Communion during the same Mass.

 

Why?

Holy Communion is the fullest and highest form of participation in the Body of Christ. Confirmation strengthens and completes the graces of Baptism so that, nourished by the Eucharist, a person is empowered to go forth and share the gospel.

 

“Restored Order” means restoring sacramental initiation to its original order: Baptism, then Confirmation, and lastly Holy Communion. This sequence feels new to several generations of Catholics, but it is actually a return to the earlier practice of the Catholic Church. In our Diocese of Pensacola - Tallahassee, the new norm is for children to be confirmed and then to receive First Holy Communion during the same Mass. 

 

St. Paul plans to implement this norm in the spring of 2027. You may be aware that other parishes in our area are transitioning on a slightly different timeline. Timelines are made per the discretion of the pastor according to the needs of the parish. However, per the bishop’s directive, all Catholic churches in the diocese must establish this norm by mid-2028. That is, after that date, celebrations of 1st Communion without Confirmation are not permitted in this diocese.

 

What about confession?

The sacrament of Penance (aka Reconciliation or Confession) is a healing sacrament. It reconciles us to God after we have sinned. This healing and reconciliation prepares us for the graces of Confirmation and Holy Communion.

 

Where should my child prepare for the sacraments?

The proper place for sacramental preparation is the parish church wherein the family regularly celebrates Sunday Mass, regardless of where the child attends school.

 

Why?

That sacramental preparation is not a classroom-centered endeavor is evident when we consider three things:

 

1. Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Communion are the three sacraments of initiation. That means they bring us into deeper union with the Church–the Mystical Body of Christ. The celebration of the Eucharist during Mass is the highest expression of this unity among God’s people. Therefore, the proper place for sacrament preparation is the parish church wherein a family celebrates Sunday Mass. This connection takes precedence over a child’s school affiliation. 

2. Furthermore, the child’s primary catechist is his or her parent(s). The parish church has a duty to equip and empower parents to be catechists themselves and to build up their family’s own “domestic church.” The Catholic school system supports parents in this all important mission, but the role of primary catechist is not meant to be delegated. Children need to witness their own parents expressing the articles of Faith by word and action. 

3. Lastly, we must remember that the ultimate goal of all catechesis is union with Christ. It’s about relationship. While growing our understanding of Catholic teaching through formal study is an obligation of discipleship, the heart of catechesis is not an academic exercise. Preparing for the sacraments is really about preparing for a deeper relationship with Jesus. Since nobody is more influential than a parent for modeling healthy relationships, a parent is in the best position to prepare a child to celebrate the sacraments.

 

When can my child receive the sacraments?

Children who were baptized as infants can be ready for Confirmation & Holy Communion once they are old enough to participate in the sacrament of Penance. This level of development is called the “Age of Reason.” It is usually regarded as 7 years old. It is characterized by a child’s awareness of his or her own sin and a sense of contrition.

 

Readiness to prepare for the sacraments is determined by the child’s parents and pastor. It is not determined simply by grade level. We cannot assume that every second grade child is ready for these sacraments, nor should we delay the sacraments for a first grader who is ready to receive them.

 

What’s the next step?

If you discern this readiness in your child and if St. Paul is the church where your family regularly worships on Sundays, then we invite you to register for sacrament preparation and attend one of our parent meetings on August 9, 2026 following the Sunday morning Masses.

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If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me. I look forward to serving your family.

 

Sincerely,

 

Elizabeth Thompson

 

Director of Faith Formation

St. Paul Catholic Church

 

Additional Resources

 

Reborn, Anointed, Nourished: Faith and Formation for Life by Bishop William Wack. ptdiocese.org/restoredorderpastoralletter

 

Sacramental Guidelines for the Diocese of Pensacola - Tallahassee. ptdiocese.org/sacramentalguidelines

 

A Parent’s Guide to Restored Order by Mikki Sciba. Liturgy Training Publications. 

Available for free in the parish office.

 

Multiple diocesan resources and videos at ptdiocese.org/restoredorder