The Eucharist as a Sacrament of Christian Initiation: Historical-Liturgical Aspect
The Eucharist as a Sacrament of Christian Initiation: Historical-Liturgical Aspect

Summary/Abstract: The author of the article takes on the issue of the place of the Eucharist in Christian initiation in its historical-liturgical aspect. He draws attention to the fundamental awareness during the first millennium of the unity and proper sequence of the sacraments of Christian initiation: Baptism—Confirmation—Eucharist. Its disappearance can be noted at the turn of the 12th and 13th centuries, together with the practice of Holy Communion for children. He points out that during the post-Tridentine era the order of conferring the sacraments of initiation was reversed: baptism-Eucharist-confirmation, and this state was perpetuated by the decree Quam Singulari (1910), which separated the sacraments from each other even more. The author draws attention to the two models of Christian initiation rising from Vatican Council II, the Ordo Baptismi Parvulorum (1969) emphasizing the practice of baptism of infants followed several years later by First Communion and at a later time, confirmation; and the Ordo Initiationis Christianae Adultorum (1972), concerning preparation for confirmation and the Eucharist for adults. Referring to the views of Salvatore Marsili, the author of the article makes an evaluation of these models. He sees the one connected to the Ordo Initiationis Christianae Adultorum as well-balanced, with its focal point being the Eucharist. This model retains the theological sequence of the sacraments and treats the Eucharist, rather than confirmation, as the fullness and summit of Christian initiation. It also allows for a proper designation of baptism as the sacrament of inclusion into the mystery of salvation but still requiring confirmation and the Eucharist for full inclusion in the reality of the Church.

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