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"I love so much a soul's desire to receive Me, that I hasten to it each time it summons Me by its yearnings."
- Words of Jesus to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque
As a part of the Ordinariate, we follow the restored order of the Sacraments of Initiation for children, meaning that Confirmation is received before First Holy Communion, and generally within the same Mass. Children are eligible for the Sacrament of Confirmation in the Ordinariate as early as the age of reason, or around seven years old. We also have age-appropriate classes for older children up to teens. Candidates over 18 years of age will go through the process of RCIA.
Children will undertake preparation to receive First Holy Communion at SMV in the context of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd classes, or atrium, together with Confirmation. They are encouraged to spend the first two years of the Level 2 atrium (beginning around age 7) discerning and preparing to receive these great sacraments. Bishop Lopes has encouraged all parishes in the Ordinariate to follow an organic "readiness model" of discernment, rather than an automated system of age or grade level, for parents and children to discern with their pastor and catechists the time at which each person will be ready to prepare for the sacraments.
For further information on the Sacraments in the restored order and how to discern your child's readiness, please read Bishop Lopes' pastoral letter Come, Holy Ghost, focusing especially on Part IV. Copies may be found outside the Religous Education office, or it can be read online here.
In order to receive Sacraments at Saint Mary the Virgin, the family must be registered members of SMV or the Ordinariate of the Chair of Saint Peter, or else have a signed letter from the Pastor of their home parish giving his permission for the child to receive catechetical preparation and the Sacrament at this parish.