Celebrating the sacraments after lockdown

Banned under lockdown, we can now return to the sacraments but not as we knew them writes Ruadhán Jones

Typically, almost 17,000 children are confirmed every year in the Archdiocese of Dublin alone. Only a minute percentage of these have been able to take place thus far. Similarly, during lockdown thousands of weddings were cancelled around the country. Typically half of all weddings in Ireland are Catholic.

With continuing uncertainty regarding attendance and numbers, it’s likely that this trend won’t change soon. And with three counties under a fresh lockdown, uncertainty continues for parishioners there. However, a number of parishes have announced their plans to plough on with Confirmations and Communions, and wedding bells are ringing again, but with numbers in line with the Government guidelines.

So, while Phase 4 has been delayed, preparations continue for all those whose confirmations, communions, baptisms and weddings had been postponed. If you’re a parent or a (hopeful) future spouse – perhaps even a potential communicant – how can you prepare yourself or your child for the upcoming sacrament?

Check Government guidelines

I think we all get it at this point – the situation is fluid, volatile, liable to change quickly or for proposed changes to be revoked. As such, it’s wise to keep up as best you can with the changing guidelines direct from the source. Gov.ie is where official Government guidance is posted and is your best source for the official line.

While not essential to preparing for the Sacraments themselves, it is important if you want to know when you’ll have them and how many friends and family can attend. As it stands, Phase 4 has been delayed due to a rise in the R-number.

That means the proposed increase to 100 people indoors and 500 for outdoor gatherings has been postponed until at least August 31. For Churches there is a bit of leeway depending on size, but the base number is currently set at 50 for indoor gatherings and 100 for outdoor.

Keep in touch with your parish/diocese

Approaches to preparing for sacraments will differ between parishes and diocese, so a good place to start is with your diocesan website to see what they recommend. For example, the diocese of Limerick currently had an online registration system for Communion and Confirmation.

A number of dioceses, including the dioceses of Limerick and Clogher, are aiming to conduct the sacraments between August and October, while ceremonies have already taken place in Down and Connor.

Many dioceses have given parishes the final say, with the caveat not to rush through the sacraments in order to get them done. Speaking to Catholicireland.net, Archbishop Diarmuid Martin even said that he was willing to consider giving priests the authority to confirm people.

Archbishop Martin suggests that this could be an indication of the future, when “the celebration of Confirmation will be very much the responsibility of each parish and not simply of the school.

“The current pandemic will be an interesting occasion for us to come to understand exactly the level of responsibility that will be falling on parishes in the future and the need to build up teams of volunteer catechists in each parish.”

Regardless of where or when the sacraments take place, it is clear that social distancing norms will affect the number of people receiving the sacraments/in attendance. Not all churches will be able to host 50 people, while some will be able to take more; not all parishes are open yet either, which is another thing to take into consideration.

The long and the short of it, then, is to keep lines of communication with your parish open.

Take time to prepare

Dioceses and parishes are aware of the challenges facing parents, children and couples preparing to receive the various sacraments. Speaking about the sacraments of Communion and Confirmation, Bishop Leahy of Limerick said: “Schools traditionally have played a key role in the scheduling of, and preparation of children for, the celebration of the sacraments.

“I am very grateful to all the teachers who have done tremendous work in this regard. But now circumstances demand we do things a little differently. Hopefully the new experience will be no less sacred or special for your child.”

Under normal conditions, schools or marriage preparation courses would have been centres of learning. Now, it falls back on the parent or individual themselves. Fortunately, there are plenty of online resources that can help prepare and this could be a part of the general revival of the ‘domestic Church’.

The following list of materials is not exhaustive, nor is it an official list. You should check with your parish to confirm if they will accept them as sufficient, particularly in the instance of marriage preparation. Courses are taking place again in person in certain parts of the country which would be more advisable.

For confirmation and communion:

iCatholic ‘Preparing for Confirmation’ series, produced for the Catechetics Council of the Irish Bishops Conference (Episode 1).

Veritas’ growinlove.ie are offering their primary school material for both communion and confirmation free for parents.

Dynamiccatholic.com offers courses for communion, confirmation and wedding preparation. It has been recommended by a number of dioceses, though it is advised to seek confirmation from your diocese before proceeding.

Less fuss, more faith/fun

The traditional, large-scale celebrations will be pared back this year and likely for the foreseeable future. While it is a disappointment not to be able to celebrate the sacraments with the same pomp and circumstance of previous years, there are always possibilities within the disappointment.

Any of the sacraments mark important milestones within our lives, signifying our commitment to the faith and to each other. It is a good idea then to find ways to focus our minds and hearts on the event itself and not on the trappings.

It is perhaps an opportunity for us to grow in appreciation of the sacraments and their significance.