History of Christian Initiation of Children – Adelaide Catholic Cathedral Parish 1 THE SACRAMENTS OF INITIATION

The initiation of children into the sacramental life is for the most part the responsibility and concern of Christian parents. They are to form and gradually increase a spirit of faith in the children and, with the help of catechetical institutions, prepare them for the fruitful reception of the sacraments of confirmation and the eucharist. The role of the parents is also expressed by their active participation in the celebration of the sacraments. History of Christian Initiation of Children It can be truthfully said that the early Church existed largely in major cities and towns of the Roman Empire. The early practice of the Church, both in the East and in the West, is quite clear. Adults and infants alike were initiated into the Church in a single celebration, usually as part of the Easter Vigil (the night before Easter Sunday). On that night they would be baptised, anointed with the Oil of Chrism and be welcomed to the table of the Eucharist. Infants who could not yet take solid food would receive the precious blood by the minister dipping his finger in the wine and the baby would suck the drops from his finger