The topic of testing children before reception of First Communion has been a topic of discussion among catechists for some time. I believe that a well-written test is beneficial for several reasons.
Our pastors are required by canon law to ‘exercise vigilance so that children who have not attained the use of reason or whom he judges are not sufficiently disposed do not approach Holy Communion’.[v] We, as catechetical leaders, work for and under the direction of our pastor.[vi] We therefore need to exercise vigilance so that children who have not attained the use of reason or whom we judge are not sufficiently disposed do not receive Holy Communion or other sacraments until the criteria is reached.
How can we know that children are ready to receive the Eucharist and the other sacraments if we do not test them?
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