It is the time of year when families celebrate their children’s First Holy Communion – a joyful celebration of innocence, a moment of genuine religiosity and – inevitably? – a grand occasion for social ostentation, family get-togethers or super-lavish parties.
There is so much good in this traditional ‘rite of passage’, which ushers the child into an active participation in the faith community through the Eucharist. Yet, such preciousness urges us to ask uncomfortable questions. We must face the demands of a deeper and longer-lasting faith commitment.
How many of these children will still be practising their faith beyond puberty? This does not mean simply no longer ‘attending Sunday Mass’. It includes the rejection of substantial tenets of the Catholic teachings about life, prayer, morality, marriage, social justice and other matters of faith.
In 10 years’ time what will be the life options of today’s innocent children who so enthusiastically and joyfully accept ‘Jesus in their hearts’ in Holy Communion? What will loving and following Jesus mean to them?
Society, families, schools, State and Church authorities, media people – we all bear direct responsibility for the life choices these children will make. We need to face some tough challenges if the life-giving values Jesus offers are to continue to inspire and sustain these children through to their adult and mature lives.
Parents need to accept that their children are indeed a new generation that is far removed from their own. It is not enough to make children follow traditional religious customs. Children (like adults) no longer believe in customs. They only understand actions and experiences.
It is not enough to make children say prayers or attend Mass. They need to experience meaningfulness and joy in their faith. Before the child accepts the real significance of Holy Communion, parents must first answer questions such as ‘Why does daddy (or mummy… or both) never receive Communion?’ or ‘Why are mum and dad always fighting?’
Children no longer believe in customs
The Church itself needs to be more courageously open to contemporary culture and reality. It has to be tangibly more welcoming, loving and understanding towards people who are struggling with their own weaknesses and failures. Upholding moral standards is only possible if these are experienced as life-giving and healing choices rather than impossible-to-reach idealisms, far removed from the daily struggle of life.
Church-going needs to be transformed into community-building. The church must become a real and tangible space where people can experience solidarity and rediscover the joys of belonging. The Mass needs to be less of a ceremony and more of a celebration, carried out in a language, colour and symbolism that people recognise as their own, not those of an age that is no more. Churchmen need to stop delivering ‘sermons’ and start proclaiming the Good News to people. The Church needs to open its doors not only so that everyone may freely come in, but so that the Church itself may go out to reach those no longer interested in coming in.
All schools, especially Church schools, must also accept a deeper transformation. They cannot remain just centres where children learn. They must find ways of joining families to be the natural nurseries where children may grow. Educating parents and supporting families is the way forward for schools if they want to effectively help children grow into healthy and wholesome adults.
Without blurring the separation between Church and State, we cannot ignore the fact that a true moral fibre in our society remains the responsibility of us all.
The innocent children receiving First Holy Communion are smilingly and silently appealing to us adults to offer them a real future. The holiness of Holy Communion is not only that of Jesus in the Eucharist. It is also the holiness of the child who relies on the Church, family and society striving to become holy.
Only this ensures that Holy Communion outlasts childhood to become a life-long companionship of Jesus really present among us in and through the Eucharist.
pchetcuti@gmail.com
Fr Paul Chetcuti is a member of the Society of Jesus.