Greetings,

As we continue with our propagation of Bishop Wack's Restored Order initiative, I'd like to add a few more remarks concerning this, even if you don't have kids who are about the receive Confirmation, I think this is a good time to renew our understanding of the sacraments of Initiation, which are Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist. 

All throughout history, Confirmation has always followed Baptism, up until 1910, when Pope Pius X returned 1st communion to the age of reason, which was around 7 years of age. Confirmation was left up into the teens still, around 12 or 13 years of age. It never came down with Holy Communion as Pope Pius had hoped. So, we're stuck today with a lonely sacrament wanting to find its proper place, hence the term "restored order." Many diocese have now decided that the graces of Confirmation are not contingent upon age, but desire and with an appropriate amount of intellect.

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So, how did a child change Pope Pius X to move communion to a young age as we have it today. Here's the story as shared with me. See below:

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Have you heard the story of the girl who inspired a Pope to lower the age for 1st Communion? When Pope Pius X heard the story of Nellie Organ, he exclaimed, “There! That is the sign for which I was waiting!”

A few months later, he issued the Quam Singulari on August 15, 1910 which officially lowered the age of First Communion to seven years old. 

So, who was this little girl that inspired a Pope to allow other little children to receive Our Lord in the Eucharist? 

Nellie Organ was just 4 years old when God took her to Heaven. Despite her young age, she had an incredibly mature devotion to Our Lord during her long struggle with tuberculosis (which eventually led to her early death). During her time in the orphanage’s infirmary, the nuns recall Nellie reciting morning and evening prayers from memory. She was also known for reciting the Rosary daily, kissing the crucifix and each large bead as she prayed.

Though bedridden, she asked to be brought to adoration and it was her sincere wish to receive her First Holy Communion as soon as possible. After begging the nuns, she was finally given the opportunity to speak to a kind priest. After the priest had questioned her and was impressed by the knowledge this small child possessed about the Blessed Sacrament, he sought permission from his Bishop to make an exception.

When permission was finally granted, Nellie was allowed to receive her First Holy Communion before the age of five (an incredible act in 1907). Just a few months later, Little Nellie passed away wearing her First Communion dress.

A year after her death, her body was exhumed and found to be incorrupt! While not a saint yet, countless miracles have already been recorded through the intercession of this holy little girl.

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I hope you read it all the way through. It's a great story and can help us appreciate the graces of the sacraments a bit more and how even children can make a serious impact on us adults. 

Thanks for your patience with this long flock note.

Much Love,

Fr. John

See what else is coming up.

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3) O.C.I. A. Oder of Christian Initiation of Adults is happening soon. Sept. 3rd at 6:30p.m. in the Chapel Conference room. If you're Catholic and haven't received Confirmation or you want to know more and become Catholic, then come join us. We'd love to have you.Sign up below

https://www.stanngulfbreeze.org/rcia