How Communion has Changed: A 50 year perspective

Kids are notorious for asking questions. But according to my grandmother, it's more recent that they started questioning religious teachings.

My grandmother has had the opportunity of watching her children teach their children about many different Catholic beliefs. One of her favorites has always been the sacrament of First Communion. The children are at an age where they're still learning about the world and how God plays a role in shaping who they are as people.

When my grandmother made her First Holy Communion, it followed a class prepared by nuns. Years later, though not a nun, she taught the same class. It was then that my grandmother says she learned the core values of her Catholic religious beliefs.

Similarly today members of the church teach First Communion classes. The biggest difference, my grandmother says, is the kids. Unlike when she was in Communion classes, kids today are more inquisitive about Catholicism. They want to know why and how; whereas, according to my grandmother, children during her day indiscriminately accepted the teachings of the nuns.

Though she says some questions can only be resolved with faith, my grandmother feels the answers to many of these questions lie in the religious teachings themselves. First Communion prayer books (http://www.myspecialplace.com/first-communion-prayer-book-with-sterling-medallion-girls-p-1159.html) are a traditional part of receiving this sacrament - helping guide the child through the mass and their Catholic prayers (Our Father, Hail Mary, the Stations of the Cross and other prayers and devotions).

As she discusses Holy Communion with my young cousin, who is about to take that very same step, her faith shines and has a comforting effect. Throughout the years of a changing society, faith is the common quality that will forever remain the same.