Restored Order (RO)

The Archdiocese of Denver has instituted the Restored Order (RO) of the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, first Holy Communion).

These three sacraments are originally intended to be received in this order: Baptism, Confirmation, then Holy Eucharist. The sacrament that fully initiates a person into the Catholic Church is Holy Eucharist (First Communion).

To learn more about the Restored Orderand its history, please review this educational summary that the archdiocese prepared for families, or watch a video about and read the Pastoral Letter “Saints Among Us” from Archbishop Aquila below.
 

THE RESTORED ORDER
 

Restored Order at Loyola

While this change brings us more in line with historical practices in the early church, it does require RE programs to offer two parallel tracks for sacramental preparation:  

• For children who have begun and continued their sacramental preparation within the RO tradition
  • After Baptism they prepare for the sacrament of Reconciliation in second grade and the sacraments of Confirmation and first Eucharist in third grade.
• For children who began sacramental preparation in a different, non-RO archdiocese but who now live in Denver
  • ​​​They enroll in classes specially designed to complete their preparation in the order of Baptism, Reconciliation, Confirmation, and First Eucharist. 

Children this age will be enrolled in RCIA adapted for children (also sometimes referred to as RCIC, or the Rite of Christian Initiation of Children or RCIT, the Rite of Christian Initiation of Teens) when the class is available.

Loyola's Religious Education staff members are available to answer questions and help you understand what sacramental preparation will look like specifically for your child or children.