What is Sacramental Formation?
In the Catholic Church, sacraments are “powers that comes forth” from the ever-living and life-giving Body of Christ. They are actions of the Holy Spirit at work in the Church, “the masterworks of God” in the new and everlasting covenant. (See the Catechism of the Catholic Church here.) Christ instituted the sacraments of the new law, and there are seven: Baptism, Confirmation, the Eucharist, Penance, the Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders and Matrimony. (See the Catechism of the Catholic Church here.) The seven sacraments follow the seasons of Christian life so that there is a connection between natural and spiritual life. We all need the sacraments.
“The Institute will also be tasked with the responsibility of sacramental preparation, primarily focused on methodology, curriculum, and mystagogia for families and persons preparing for sacraments of initiation in whatever stage of life they may find themselves.” —Bishop Joseph Strickland, Constitution on Teaching, 9
Since formation is lifelong, we also recommend these resources for anyone who wants to know more about living the Catholic faith. The resources used in the Diocese of Tyler are meant to unify and standardize how children and adults are formed to receive the sacraments.
Why Do We Use the Restored Order?
In 2005, under the leadership of Bishop Alvaro Corrada, the Diocese of Tyler began celebrating the “restored order” of the sacraments of initiation. Restored order refers to the practice of celebrating the sacraments of initiation in the following order:
Baptism
Reconciliation
Confirmation
Eucharist
Note that this restored order is different from what many people are accustomed to today (Baptism, Reconciliation, Eucharist, then Confirmation). Restored order restores the Holy Eucharist to the climax of initiation, as in the early days of Christianity.
When introducing restored order to the Diocese, Bishop Corrada wrote in his pastoral reflection, “For a Christian publicly to take his place in the Eucharistic assembly is the greatest participation in the apostolic mission of the Church that is imaginable.” All faith formation efforts, especially sacramental moments, should constantly draw the faithful to full Eucharistic participation. Our diocesan practice of restored order is intended to do just that. In his pastoral reflection upon instituting restored order in our diocese, Bishop Corrada wrote:
It is through the grace of Baptism and Confirmation that the Holy Spirit and the Church prepares a person for full communion in the Holy Eucharist. Reception of the Eucharist prior to receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation may create some confusion in the community or in the person. Anyone who professes the true faith and participates in the sacrifice of Christ, receiving the Body and Blood of Christ, should be a fully initiated Christian through both Baptism and Confirmation, inasmuch as they are participating in the full, public worship and witness of the Church.
As baptized children enter into the sacramental formation process around the age of seven, catechesis will begin with a review and emphasis on the meaning of the sacrament of Baptism and the basics of the Catholic faith. Next, formation for and reception of the sacrament of Reconciliation will take place. To grow in a deeper relationship with Christ, monthly confession should become part of the candidate’s life of faith, especially leading up to the celebration of Confirmation and Eucharist. A time of formation for the sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist will need to occur before their celebration.
To highlight the Eucharist as the “source and summit” of our faith, all members of the Diocese, especially those who celebrated their First Eucharist throughout the year, are invited to participate in the Eucharistic procession to be held around the diocese on the Feast of Corpus Christi. To distinguish the year’s First Communicants, they are encouraged to dress in their First Eucharist garments and take part in the procession already set forth in the Constitution on Teaching:
I call upon each parish and mission in the Diocese to arrange for a procession on the Sunday of the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi Sunday). A procession, no matter how humble, is a teaching witness to ourselves and to the world of our faith in the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist. —Bishop Joseph Strickland, Constitution on Teaching, 37
Restored Order: For the Love of the Eucharist
Read more about the history of the Restored Order in the Catholic Church from the early days until the twenty-first century, and the history in the Diocese of Tyler. This is an informative and beautiful article written by Mikki Sciba, our Catechetical Specialist.
What Materials Do We Use?
Since 2005, the Diocese of Tyler has prepared children for the sacraments of initiation in the following order: Baptism, Reconciliation, Confirmation, Eucharist. Following this restored order of initiation helps us to show more clearly that the Eucharist the source and summit of the Christian life. It also highlights the organic unity between all of the sacraments of initiation.
In July of 2020, Bishop Strickland approved a set of clarifications regarding the procedures and methods of preparation. Formation for Baptism usually begins during infanthood and involves the whole family. Catechesis for the sacraments of Reconciliation (also called Confession), Confirmation, and Holy Eucharist is a minimum of two years. This may include one year of systematic catechesis at the parish. However, parents, as primary educators of their children, may believe their children need more or less time to be ready to receive their sacraments. These instances should be reviewed between pastor and the family as they come forward.
The catechesis for these sacraments does not need to be a separate program and can take place during regularly-scheduled faith formation sessions during children’s faith formation (see here), although there is no prohibition against a separate program. Offering family workshops/retreats will continue to be the norm. It is the responsibility of the pastor of a parish, oftentimes by delegation to a faith formation leader, to ensure that all preparation for the reception of the sacraments is followed according to the guidelines.
Pastors, catechists, and others who have questions about formation options for faith formation should contact the Director of Faith Formation, Dr. Luke Arredondo.
The Way of of the Holy Family Baptism formation program is produced by the St. Philip Institute and is the norm for the Diocese of Tyler. It is fully available in both English and Spanish. These materials are designed to empower parents and godparents to fulfill their role as primary educators of the faith. This program includes a process of theological study, personal reflection, and practical application to a lived faith modeled by the Holy Family. We also produced mystagogical and catechetical videos for parents, godparents, baptism coordinators at parishes, and catechists.
The sacrament of Confession is to be celebrated monthly at least six months prior to receiving Confirmation and Eucharist. The Faith and Life Series and Vivos en Christos for 1st and 2nd grade has lessons on Baptism, Reconciliation, and the Holy Eucharist. Students will learn about these sacraments in their regular CCD classes using the required materials. See the Children’s Faith Formation page for more information and to order these materials.
The St. Philip Institute published a resource for families with children who are being formed for the sacrament of Confirmation. In many dioceses, this sacrament is celebrated in the teen years. However, in the Restored Order followed by the Diocese of Tyler, restoring the Eucharist to the summit of the Sacraments of Initiation requires that children celebrate Confirmation much sooner. To help teach children the basics of the Catholic faith, Fr. John-Mary Bowlin, a priest in the Diocese of Tyler, and the St. Philip Institute have produced a small, easy-to-follow booklet — Christian Initiation Catechism: A Guide for Children and Families — so parents and grandparents can sit down with their children and together learn what every Catholic should know to be confirmed in the faith. The booklet is being printed in Spanish for Fall 2021.
The sacrament of Confession is to be celebrated monthly at least six months prior to receiving Confirmation and Eucharist. The Faith and Life Series and Vivos en Christos for 1st and 2nd grade has lessons on Baptism, Reconciliation, and the Holy Eucharist. Students will learn about these sacraments in their regular CCD classes using the required materials. See the Children’s Faith Formation page for more information and to order these materials.
