His Second Catechism, intended for children, appeared in 1541 – and also went through multiple translations. It was divided into lessons for such children, to be given them on every Sunday afternoon throughout the year.
Here, Calvin shows how covenant children were to be admitted to Holy Communion. Clearly, they were to be enrolled as Catechumens when ten, and to ‘graduate’ to the Lord’s Table at the threshold of their teens – after being ‘admitted’ by the ‘laying on of hands’ (Bucer). 1851
Both of his catechisms – viz. that for adults as well as that for children – were used in Geneva. There, the Lord’s Supper was restricted to Communicants – who had previously, after satisfactory catechization, professed their Christian faith during public worship.
