Kudos to Bishop Aquila and Ordering of the Sacraments

I was happy to read on the Catholic News Agency that Bishop Aquila was praised by Pope Benedict XVI for having restored the proper order to the Sacraments of Initiation and now ordering them Baptism, Confirmation, then First Holy Eucharist.

This means that the Sacrament of Confirmation is now bestowed upon youths at a younger age and this is something that is in keeping with the Catechism of the Council of Trent:

The Proper Age For Confirmation

Here it is to be observed, that, after Baptism, the Sacrament of Confirmation may indeed be administered to all; but that, until children shall have attained the use of reason, its administration is inexpedient. If it does not seem well to defer (Confirmation) to the age of twelve, it is most proper to postpone this Sacrament at least to that of seven years.

Confirmation has not been instituted as necessary to salvation, but that by virtue thereof we may be found very well armed and prepared when called upon to fight for the faith of Christ; and for this conflict no one assuredly will consider children who as yet lack the use of reason to be qualified. (http://www.freecatholicebooks.com/books/catechism_of_trent.pdf)

I am also quite thrilled with this praise of the Bishop Aquila because it assure that our youths will have a richer understanding of the Church, the Sacraments and especially the Eucharist before receiving. It is true that the knowledge need not be perfect but there are indeed some considerations to keep in mind. For brevity's sake, I am not going to quote excessively from the Catechism of the Council of Trent, but it well worth a read and it disspells many a modernist's idea about beings able to receive our Lord in a state of mortal sin. Nevertheless, this is a conversation on preparedness of youth, so let me get back on topic.

Who Are Obliged By The Law Of Communion

But although this law, sanctioned by the authority of God and of His Church, concerns all the faithful, it should be taught that it does not extend to those who on account of their tender age have not attained the use of reason. For these are not able to distinguish the Holy Eucharist from common and ordinary bread and cannot bring with them to this Sacrament piety and devotion. Furthermore (to extend the precept to them) would appear inconsistent with the ordinance of our Lord, for He said: Take and eat - words which cannot apply to infants, who are evidently incapable of taking and eating.

In some places, it is true, an ancient practice prevailed of giving the Holy Eucharist even to infants; but, for the reasons already assigned, and for other reasons in keeping with Christian piety, this practice has been long discontinued by authority of the Church.

With regard to the age at which children should be given the holy mysteries, this the parents and confessor can best determine. To them it belongs to inquire and to ascertain from the children themselves whether they have some knowledge of this admirable Sacrament and whether they desire to receive it.

Communion must not be given to persons who are insane and incapable of devotion. However, according to the decree of the Council of Carthage, it may be administered to them at the close of life, provided they have shown, before losing their minds, a pious and religious disposition, and no danger, arising from the state of the stomach or other inconvenience or disrespect, is likely.  (http://www.freecatholicebooks.com/books/catechism_of_trent.pdf)

As regards the completion of the Sacraments of Initiation, one need only regard the specific order of the Sacraments in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, in which, the are listed as Baptism, Confirmation and the Sacrament of the Eucharist (for quick check online, you can visit (http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/). It had been my understanding that the ordering of this list had not been arbitary and in fact it was the Eucharist which completed the initiation, though it had not been practiced.

I see such steps, as done by Bishop Aquila as progress. I say progress because it is a return to the proper order of the Sacraments and I pray that the children of his diocese will benefit from such an excellent change in and will truly learn the value of the sacraments and their initiation into the Holy Catholic Church.