why do the catholic chruch do first communion ? and then confirmation. do we really need to do both. I know yo

Question

have your chose when you get older, i just dont understand why we need to do both?

Answer 1

We do not know why Jesus, the Apostles and early Church thought that both of these sacraments were needed. But we have them. They are biblical and beautiful. Each confers grace in a special way.

+ Eucharist +

At the Last Supper, Jesus said, “Take this bread. It is my body.” Then he said, “Take this and drink. This is my blood. Do this in memory of me.”

Catholics believe this was the First Eucharist, that through some miracle the bread and wine actually became the body and blood of Jesus Christ.

Catholics reenact the Last Supper during every Mass, where God, acting through the priest, changes the bread and wine into the body and blood of Jesus Christ.

This is a great sacrament of thanksgiving and unity of Catholics.

http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/pt2sect2chpt1art3.htm

+ Confirmation +

The priest or bishop lays their hands upon the person receiving Confirmation, the priest or bishop says, "Be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit," the person says, "Amen," and then they are anointed with holy oil (just like King David).

Confirmation brings an increase and deepening of baptismal grace:
- it roots us more deeply in the divine childhood which makes us cry, "Abba! Father!"
- it unites us more firmly to Christ;
- it increases the gifts of the Holy Spirit in us;
- it renders our bond with the Church more perfect
- it gives us a special strength of the Holy Spirit to spread and defend the faith by word and action as true witnesses of Christ, to confess the name of Christ boldly, and never to be ashamed of the Cross

http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/pt2sect2chpt1art2.htm

+ With love in Christ.

Answer 2

Yes you do. First Communion is just the first time you receive Jesus in Holy Communion and Confirmation is reaffirming your decision to be a Catholic. It is an indelible mark on your soul that adds strength and makes you an even stronger soldier for Christ.

Answer 3

Instead of demanding a mature choice of joining a religious life/community at, like, 9 (first communion/confirmation), these days they're split up so even if you're shoved into doing the communion thing before you're ready, you can have time before the serious one. In theory.

Answer 4

We need to do them both because they are steps that we the catholics take to get closer to get to heaven's gate and to God's kingdom