Parish News

On 27th April 2014 First Holy Communion was given to 19 children of the Parish. The names of the children are here below. The Holy Mass was celebrated by Fr Amith Rodrigues along with Fr Alwyn Serrao, Fr Rocky Fernandes and the former parish priest Fr Stany Goveas. 

The children were given instructions during the year on Sundays. A special training was given to the First Communicants by Fr Amith Rodrigues. Earlier the FR J.B.Crasta gave instruction to the parents telling them their responsibility in preparing their children for the First Holy Communion.

The First Holy Communion was celebrated during the main mass of Sunday. A large crowd of faithful attend the mass. The whole liturgy was conducted by the children. Mrs Lilly D’Souza, Sr  Jyothi UFS, Mrs Femina Pais  and Femina Pais and also assisted Fr Amith Rodrigues in preparing the liturgy and teaching the catechism.

After the Mass the children were facilitated with a memento of the centenary year of the Cathedral. And thereafter a photo session and short reception was arranged by the Parish priests for the Children.

The Pope who introduced Holy Communion to the Children is Pius X who also brought Liturgical changes in the Church:
In his papacy, Pius X worked to increase devotion in the lives of the clergy and laity, particularly in the Breviary, which he reformed considerably, and the Holy Mass.

Besides restoring to prominence Gregorian Chant, he placed a renewed liturgical emphasis on the Eucharist, saying, "Holy Communion is the shortest and safest way to Heaven." To this end, he encouraged frequent reception of Holy Communion. This also extended to children who had reached the "age of discretion", though he did not permit the ancient Eastern practice of infant communion. He also emphasized frequent recourse to the Sacrament of Penance so that Holy Communion would be received worthily. Pius X's devotion to the Eucharist would eventually earn him the honorific of "Pope of the Blessed Sacrament," by which he is still known among his devotees.

In 1910, he issued the decree Quam Singulari, which changed the age at which communion could be received from 12 to 7 years old, the age of discretion. The pope lowered the age because he wished to impress the event on the minds of children and stimulate their parents to new religious observance; this decree was found unwelcome in some places due to the belief that parents would withdraw their children early from Catholic schools, now that First Communion was carried out earlier.  (From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)