Day Twenty-six
Part 3 Chapter 5
"The Communion of Little Children"
In an early post, I treated the historical context of Monsignor's book. In this chapter, he is writing in the years immediately following a papal decree that lowered the age of First Holy Communion from 12 (sometimes 11) to 7, the age of reason. Revealed in this chapter is the challenge that many priests faced when they tried to convince their parishioners of the suitability of such a young child to receive Holy Communion. Removed as we are from this controversy, the chapter may seem to yield little benefit for our present age. Consider, however, his treatment of those who believe their judgments wiser than the Holy Father's on certain issues. The distinction he makes between those who act out of disdain and those who simply require fraternal correction is as relevant today as a century ago. Similarly, all parents can benefit from a reminder of the solemn duty and privilege we've been given, from each child's baptism, to educate him in the Faith and tend to his spiritual obligations.
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