May in Poland is traditionally the month in which nine-year-olds to join the Holy Communion. About how to prepare your child for this unique event and help him understand his importance and the role of the family and clergy in this process, we talk with Dr. Zenon Hanas priest who, in his pastoral work was preparing to take the sacrament, among others children in Germany.
Marta Jarosz: Is the 9-year-old is emotionally developed enough to accept and understand such an important sacrament, which is Holy Communion?
Priest Dr. Zenon Hanas, a lecturer at the University of Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski University in Warsaw : In answering this question, I would emphasize two aspects. First, it is a statement that each child develops in an individual and unique way. Emotional needs of 9-year olds can be very diverse. Generally, however, children can understand what the sacrament of the Eucharist as the sacrament of the Presence of Jesus Christ in our midst.
Another aspect is the issue of deepening and development of the life of faith. Exploring and understanding of this mystery does not end after all, is the first holy communion. The initial understanding of the Eucharist, which appears in the minds of nine-year-old, is adapted by his capacity at a given stage of development. 9-year olds can put a very difficult and serious questions about human life. Looking for answers, putting adults sometimes in a rather embarrassing situation. Or in a situation that produces a slightly hidden smile. Sometimes, because a child puts too "adult" questions that can not be granted too "adult" response. Our response must be tailored to their mentality and level of understanding of the world. The same principle can be adopted in preparing children for Holy Communion .
How to prepare your child for this event and make it really was for him a unique spiritual experience?
Preparation for First Communion takes place on several levels. Calculation can start from the most practical and visible, as the preparation of the whole ceremony . Added to this is a family experience community when guests arrive for the ceremony. But most important is the spiritual preparation of the child, which is not limited to the purchase of certain knowledge about the importance of the sacrament. It is also about the inner experience of divine love which is manifested in the life and person of Jesus Christ. Of course, the most important level is the latter: that is the spiritual preparation for a live encounter with the Risen Jesus.
Do not underestimate all the levels of preparation. Waiting for the ceremony, festive clothes, meeting with family, receiving gifts also have an important role to play. They emphasize the importance and uniqueness of the moment. Good preparation undoubtedly will consist of a harmonious arrangement of these different elements and maintaining their validity.
Increasingly, it happens that the parents are not practicing Catholics, but they want their child to have joined the Holy Communion - if that makes any sense?
This is a very complex question that is difficult to give a straightforward answer. It is true that the further the religious education of children is important. Without the example of parents' life will be in the upbringing lacked key element. Sometimes in these situations in a very concrete way there is a place for parents, godparents and grandparents of the child, who can accompany the child.
In any event, at the time of preparation for Holy Communion. should be in a conversation with the parents make them aware of their responsibility for maintaining faith in the lives of children. Time to prepare for First Communion preparation is not only children but their whole family. There are situations that in preparation for parents who live a bit away from the Church re-discover the meaning of faith and living life to participate in the Church.
Is the expression a solemn setting of the event, of which almost all parents are seeking, is wholly on that day what is most important? If so, how to change it? How to deal with insanely lavish fashion for the adoption of Communion and focus on what matters most of the day?
In preparation for Communion are held special meetings for parents. It is these meetings are the place to raise the awareness of the importance of the whole ceremony. Sometimes right at the first meeting occurs on clothes for First or other practical issues. Discussions on this can sometimes lead to unnecessary divisions in the group. Experienced
catechists seek to defer the discussion of the further stages of preparation. At the beginning of preparations for the road they realize the importance of common prayer with children, talk about biblical themes, the common experience of the liturgical year, etc. Once these themes to deepen discussion about external aspects of the preparations can no longer take place in a different atmosphere.
catechists seek to defer the discussion of the further stages of preparation. At the beginning of preparations for the road they realize the importance of common prayer with children, talk about biblical themes, the common experience of the liturgical year, etc. Once these themes to deepen discussion about external aspects of the preparations can no longer take place in a different atmosphere.
in the recent years can be seen any significant changes in the celebration of Holy Communion - both by the children themselves and their families?
Older people often talk about his preparation for Holy Communion. They recall the time that learned by heart catechetical formulas, prayers, catechism questions and answers. Their preparation was therefore focused strongly on the memory-controlling material. Some of them are looking at today's children for First Communion preparation with some wonder whether the misunderstanding.
In our time preparing for the sacraments, catechesis strongly emphasizes experiential elements or existential in the process of deepening faith. Biblical stories such as give an opportunity to live the image of God, which Jesus Christ revealed to us.
It seems that this is the most important change in preparation for Holy Communion. It should realize that there are two completely different ways of preparing for the sacrament, but the two ways that are complementary. Clever catechesis will seek a harmonious combination of both methods.
As a person in contact with the faithful, probably the priest meets with different attitudes and behavior; the present First Communion kids and their families preparing for this event. Could you tell us about some extremes on this issue or something special?
My experience prepare children for First Holy Communion. comes more from their pastoral work in Germany or German-speaking ministry in Poland. The German Church has for years used a system of preparation for the sacraments, in which parents play an active role. Children meet in small groups (10-12 people). In these groups, under the supervision of 2 or 3 mothers and fathers, together prepare selected topics. Prior to these parents, conducting meetings, meet with the priest or catechist to discuss the conduct of these meetings in groups.
Such preparation makes parents are mobilized to deepen their faith and share it with children. And for kids there is a special moment when you see a lively testimony of his parents.
And what is the role of the priest prepares youngsters to take the sacrament? What he should do that, for all these were special moments?
Preparing children to receive the sacrament of the Eucharist is indeed a great responsibility . You can compare it to the position of foundations. Subsequent design will be just resting on the foundation. In fact, memories of Holy Communion with us later for life.
In preparation for Communion, many people are involved: catechists, helpers, volunteers, etc. The role of clergy in this regard is unique and irreplaceable. It seems that the most important thing is good minister przygotowanie dzieci do sakramentu pojednania oraz stworzenie dla tego sakramentu odpowiedniej przestrzeni. Sami bowiem przypominamy sobie, jak wielkim przeżyciem była dla nas pierwsza spowiedź.
To pierwsze doświadczenie zaufania , zrozumienia i przebaczenia (a wbrew niektórym teoriom dzieci doskonale potrafią odróżniać dobro i zło) może się okazać kluczowe na wiele lat dalszego owocnego chrześcijańskiego życia.
Dziękuję bardzo rozmowę.
Interviewed by Marta Jarosz
Source: dziennik.pl
look at what has prepared Devotional Online Store on the occasion Communion.
Older people often talk about his preparation for Holy Communion. They recall the time that learned by heart catechetical formulas, prayers, catechism questions and answers. Their preparation was therefore focused strongly on the memory-controlling material. Some of them are looking at today's children for First Communion preparation with some wonder whether the misunderstanding.
In our time preparing for the sacraments, catechesis strongly emphasizes experiential elements or existential in the process of deepening faith. Biblical stories such as give an opportunity to live the image of God, which Jesus Christ revealed to us.
It seems that this is the most important change in preparation for Holy Communion. It should realize that there are two completely different ways of preparing for the sacrament, but the two ways that are complementary. Clever catechesis will seek a harmonious combination of both methods.
As a person in contact with the faithful, probably the priest meets with different attitudes and behavior; the present First Communion kids and their families preparing for this event. Could you tell us about some extremes on this issue or something special?
My experience prepare children for First Holy Communion. comes more from their pastoral work in Germany or German-speaking ministry in Poland. The German Church has for years used a system of preparation for the sacraments, in which parents play an active role. Children meet in small groups (10-12 people). In these groups, under the supervision of 2 or 3 mothers and fathers, together prepare selected topics. Prior to these parents, conducting meetings, meet with the priest or catechist to discuss the conduct of these meetings in groups.
Such preparation makes parents are mobilized to deepen their faith and share it with children. And for kids there is a special moment when you see a lively testimony of his parents.
And what is the role of the priest prepares youngsters to take the sacrament? What he should do that, for all these were special moments?
Preparing children to receive the sacrament of the Eucharist is indeed a great responsibility . You can compare it to the position of foundations. Subsequent design will be just resting on the foundation. In fact, memories of Holy Communion with us later for life.
In preparation for Communion, many people are involved: catechists, helpers, volunteers, etc. The role of clergy in this regard is unique and irreplaceable. It seems that the most important thing is good minister przygotowanie dzieci do sakramentu pojednania oraz stworzenie dla tego sakramentu odpowiedniej przestrzeni. Sami bowiem przypominamy sobie, jak wielkim przeżyciem była dla nas pierwsza spowiedź.
To pierwsze doświadczenie zaufania , zrozumienia i przebaczenia (a wbrew niektórym teoriom dzieci doskonale potrafią odróżniać dobro i zło) może się okazać kluczowe na wiele lat dalszego owocnego chrześcijańskiego życia.
Dziękuję bardzo rozmowę.
Interviewed by Marta Jarosz
Source: dziennik.pl
look at what has prepared Devotional Online Store on the occasion Communion.
