First Holy Communion: A greater role for families

One of the main sacraments of the Catholic Church used to be known as Holy Communion but, considering the rapid commercialisation of this momentous event in the lives of younger children, there is nothing particularly holy about it anymore.

That makes the decision to move the focus of sacramental preparation away from schools and towards the family and parishes a welcome departure and reset.

The announcement of the change, by the Archbishop of Dublin, Diarmuid Martin, promises that the prepararation of children for communion will centre on parents and parishes, rather than schools.

Training for voluntary lay catechists in parishes to support families in preparation for the sacraments is to begin immediately.

At the moment, primary responsibility falls on teachers and, in many cases, there is little parental or family input in the religious instruction of the child.

In fact, as Archbishop Martin knows, the family aspect of First Communions is often confined to grandiose celebrations.

“It’s a family event. It’s something that children will remember for all of their lives, but it’s also drifting away into commercialism,” he said, speaking on RTÉ radio. “I saw an advertisement for a communion dress — up to €800.”

For that reason alone, a re-emphasis on the religious aspect of the sacraments is welcome and one that should be considered by other Catholic dioceses nationwide.