Age at Confirmation

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The upcoming Apostolic Exhortation of the Eucharist may deal with just this question. Here’s an article about the Apostolic Exhortation from Catholic World News:

cwnews.com/news/viewstory.cfm?recnum=49430

Notice that in an unusual move, a rough draft of the upcoming document has been released. Here’s the section of the document, translated by Zenit.org, that deals with the sacraments:

zenit.org/english/visualizza.phtml?sid=79045

See Proposition #13

(The entire translation is available, and among other things, it lists many of the possible upcoming reforms to the NO Mass.)
 
returning to question in OP, which is about confirmation, not other sacraments, this discussion, as every preceding discussion we have had on the topic, reveals the fundamental misunderstanding of the theology of the sacrament that prevails, mainly because of the catechesis used in confirmation prep. Namely, it shows the misapprehension that it is the candidate or the catechist who prepares, who elects, who choses, who determines “readiness and worthiness.” It is the Holy Spirit who prepares and it is the bishop, under guidance of the Holy Spirit who invites, elects and chooses the candidates. What is required of the candidate is faith, which has already been imparted in baptism, either the faith of the parents and godparents for an infant (under age 7) or the faith of the candidate for an adult (over age 7 for the purposes of sacraments of initiation).

The catechist presents the truths necessary for an informed profession of faith and guides the candidate to proper disposition and openness to the workings of the Holy Spirit. The preparation “program” does not require that the candidate become holy, wise, knowledgeable, pious, strong etc., but merely that the candidate be led to ask for these gifts which are those imparted in the sacrament. It does not require that the candidate exhibit generosity, kindness, etc, which are the fruits of the sacrament, but that he be led to ask for them.

I agree with bishop Tobin and others who point out that in todays world young people require the gifts of the Holy Spirit and the fruits of the sacrament more desperately and at a younger age than perhaps ever before since the age of persecutions in the challenges they face at younger and younger ages in today’s culture.
 
Thank you, puzzle, for your summary post. I think it would be more encouraging, and easier to understand the sacramental purpose of Confirmation, if the bishop were to place a little more emphasis on his role as “elector” or “chooser”. Remember when he would ask questions from the Catechism prior to the sacrament? Do you think that was an unnecessary practice, since it seems to have placed a sort of academic standard on the reception of the sacrament? Or do you think we should revive the “test”? 🙂

Thanks again to all who have posted, it’s encouraging to know there is an interest in this sacrament and its proper understanding and practice. Maybe the Apostolic Exhortation will effect changes, maybe it won’t… God only knows.
 
I am all with the test! But you do know, that in some diocese, they have test with bubble in answer key that goes off somewhere to put into a big data system. Or at least the NCEA WAS wanting diocese to do that. Of course, I think that is where they found some of the catecatical material was lacking and sometimes absolutely WRONG.

But seeing that our dear Bishop just encouraged people for Lent to start getting back to mass on Sundays instead of giving up, say smoking, I doubt he would give an oral exam. Especially since he didn’t back up his “suggestion” with the teachings of the Church (we are obligated/mortal sin if we don’t) or suggest that those in that situation go to confession first.

Great suggestion, don’t see it happening or what I do see happening is warm fuzzy q & a session.
😦
 
It’s pretty warm and fuzzy now. “How do you FEEL now that you’re confirmed?” bleh.
 
Yup. I would ask if our young adults could distingush between FAITH and FEELINGs.
 
One more thing, I also think the kids should be slapped as in the old days.
 
davidosb said:
Again, thanks all for the replies. I don’t have a codex in front of me, but even if it says that Confirmation should be done at the age of reason, the American Church at least knows the difference between “should” and “must”. It always seems like we’re testing our boundaries over here. However there are times when that sort of thing is called for (Peter baptized a Gentile?? Lord have mercy! What will he think of next??)

At any rate, there seems to be an emphasis on “readiness” for this sacrament, and I can’t seem to find a theologically sound basis for that emphasis. It feels more like a right-to-choose issue than one of accepting the sacramental reality of Confirmation. Is it better for a child to wait until he is mature to receive the sacrament? If that’s the case, females should receive it between age 16-18, and males around age 40. 😃 Seriously though, isn’t it more efficacious to receive the sacrament and the gifts it bestows, and then mature as a Catholic with the fullness of the Spirit as a guide to that maturity? In this chicken-or-the-egg argument, I think it’s better to have the sacrament and then grow in understanding/wisdom/etc., than to attempt to reach some ethereal level of enlightenment in the hopes that the Spirit will somehow “stick” better.
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Having had the unfortunate experience of teaching several chatechism classes to unevangelized Catholics, I would have to say that I would prefer that this sacrament, which is so beautiful and can only be obtained once, be saved until the candidate can approach it with sincerity and independence. I understand why parents push their kids into it, but if they are not ready or willing to live their faith, I personally would like to see them grow up a little bit. The college students get much more out of it, because they come to it with a degree of sincerity and readiness that the mid schoolers don’t have.

On the other hand, the Byzantine church I have been attending does this sacrament at infancy along with baptism and communion…
 
It has been said by some wag that Confirmation is the sacrament in search of a theology. Over the history of the Church it has had different emphases, soem enought that they do not much resemble others. It was, and still is considered one of the three “entrance” sacraments of the Church, and one wonders at times if the general waiting until 12/14 or 16/18 yer age range makes as much sense as we have in times past thought.

It most certainly is not magic; it isn’t going to “make” one into a fully integrated and commited follower of Christ, although it certainly can supply the grace to become one. And sadly, altogether too many Catholics have seen it as “been there, done that, have the (t shirt/permanent mark on my soul)” sign that they have arrived, and have no more to do than show up for Sunday Mass… and that goes back long before Vatican 2. And while the Roman rite puts it somewhere between 7 & 18, at least some of the Eastern rite churches put it at Baptism. I am not sure that either side can proclaim that their approach makes for better Catholics. That may be much more a result of how the parents raise the child, than anything else.
 
It does matter, a lot, with how the faith is lived and practiced at home. I have heard of diocese that have an excellent catechetical program for these young people. But even if you are not blessed with the best, it should be something the parents should do at home.

A little more history of confirmation from the CCC

Two traditions: East and West
1290 In the first centuries Confirmation generally comprised one single celebration with Baptism, forming with it a “double sacrament,” according to the expression of St. Cyprian. Among other reasons, the multiplication of infant baptisms all through the year, the increase of rural parishes, and the growth of dioceses often prevented the bishop from being present at all baptismal celebrations. In the West the desire to reserve the completion of Baptism to the bishop caused the temporal separation of the two sacraments. The East has kept them united, so that Confirmation is conferred by the priest who baptizes. But he can do so only with the “myron” consecrated by a bishop.[100]

1291 A custom of the Roman Church facilitated the development of the Western practice: a double anointing with sacred chrism after Baptism. The first anointing of the neophyte on coming out of the baptismal bath was performed by the priest; it was completed by a second anointing on the forehead of the newly baptized by the bishop.[101] The first anointing with sacred chrism, by the priest, has remained attached to the baptismal rite; it signifies the participation of the one baptized in the prophetic, priestly, and kingly offices of Christ. If Baptism is conferred on an adult, there is only one post-baptismal anointing, that of Confirmation.

1292 The practice of the Eastern Churches gives greater emphasis to the unity of Christian initiation. That of the Latin Church more clearly expresses the communion of the new Christian with the bishop as guarantor and servant of the unity, catholicity and apostolicity of his Church, and hence the connection with the apostolic origins of Christ’s Church.
 
I thought you’d be interested in the Bishop of Fargo’s detailed notes on their return to the ancient order of the Sacraments. He has a section entitled: Confirmation: understanding the theology in his pastoral letter referenced below.

This diocese prepares for Reconciliation in 2nd grade and Confirmation/Eucharist in 3rd.

They also have a free rather large “Parent Handbook” on preparing for Confirmation; it is excellent. (View as
Code: 
("http://64.233.167.104/search?q=cache:jir5WYL3EwIJ:www.fargodiocese.org/EducationFormation/Evangelization/Catechesis/PDFdocuments/PreparingForConfirmationHandbook.pdf+confirmation+handbook+site:www.fargodiocese.org&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=us&client=firefox-a") google link)

(Be advised: link below is PDF) Bishop Samuel Aquila's Pastoral letter on Confirmation: **[Send Forth Your  Spirit](http://www.fargodiocese.org/educationformation/Evangelization/Confirmation/confirmation.pdf)**, August 2002 (Here is a google "View as HTML" link: 

```html
("http://64.233.167.104/search?q=cache:jPajSquXV5AJ:www.fargodiocese.org/educationformation/evangelization/Confirmation/confirmation.pdf+send+forth+spirit+site:www.fargodiocese.org&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=12&gl=us&client=firefox-a"))
[
](http://www.fargodiocese.org/educationformation/Evangelization/Catechesis/sacraments.htm)[Sacraments Page](http://www.fargodiocese.org/educationformation/Evangelization/Catechesis/sacraments.htm)



[quote="davidosb, post:16, topic:66266"]

At any rate, there seems to be an emphasis on "readiness" for this sacrament, and I can't seem to find a theologically sound basis for that emphasis.It feels more like a right-to-choose issue than one of accepting the sacramental reality of Confirmation. 

[/quote]


On p. 24 of the Handbook it reads:

Many of those who are now adults were
confirmed as older adolescents. Receiving the
Sacrament of Confirmation at that time had
become a kind of "graduation" to adult
Christian life. Though there were many
praiseworthy aspects of this approach to the
sacrament, the practice may have obscured
some of the more profound realities that the
sacrament has to offer.

The pastoral letter, Send Forth your Spirit, addresses this topic in the following way:
16. The perfection of baptismal grace found in the Sacrament of Confirmation is not
dependent upon age or knowledge of the confirmand. The grace that is conferred is a
free gift and “does not need ratification to become effective” (Cf. CCC 1308). The
common practice of high school or middle school reception of Confirmation could give
the impression that somehow the sacrament is merited by virtue of age or training. In
truth, the Sacrament of Confirmation is an effective vehicle of grace at any age as long
as it is validly conferred. Thus, those that receive the sacrament are able to reap its
benefits from the moment of reception. The invisible benefits of this sacrament conferred
at a young age could be of great benefit to young people as they grow toward adolescence
and young adulthood.
I found this Handbook and letter the other day and found it most illustrative and includes a very "accessible account of the history of Confirmation."
 
May I say that this has been a lovely thread, with plenty of charity, and nobody getting nasty or evil or baiting?

Bravi, everybody!👍
 
otjm said:
The sad part of Confirmation is that all too many Cahtolics take that sacrament as a sign that they now have the fullness of the faith, as in, they have no more to learn, no more to research, no more to grow. And that is too true of Catholics in the pew as it is of those who quit going to Mass.

and that is nothing new, meaning it is not a result of vatican 2, or the fall-out after Vatican 2; it was true before as well.

It is, and has been, at least in part, a failure of those doing the training of the individuals approaching Confirmation.

And in part, a failure of the parents…
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I AGREE…THAT IS WHY THE CHURCH IN THE MODERN ERA HAS MANY YOUTH ORIENTATED ACTIVITIES ; SO AS TO HELP YOUNG PEOPLE FEEL WELCOME IN CHURCH. IN OUR PART OF THE WORLD THIS CAME ABOUT AS A RESULT OF A REALISATION THAT LOCAL PROTESTANT CHURCHES HAD WELL DEVELOPED YOUTH GROUPS/FELLOWSHIPS. MORE IMPORTANTLY YOUNG CATHOLICS WERE ACTIVELY ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND SUCH FELLOWSHIPS. I HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH OUR YOUTH LEARNING ABOUT ‘OUR SEPARTED BROTHERS AND SISTERS’…BUT , THIS LEARNING PROCESS MUST BE RECIPROCAL !!!
WHEN IT COMES TO AGE ISSUES…I WAS WONDERING WHY THE CONFIRMATION AGE IS ONLY SIXTEEN ? SURELY THIS IS TOO YOUNG ? I WOULD HAVE THOUGHT 21 WOULD BE MORE APPROPRIATE…ANY COMMENTS ?!
 
DB_AND_ALI said:
I AGREE…THAT IS WHY THE CHURCH IN THE MODERN ERA HAS MANY YOUTH ORIENTATED ACTIVITIES ; SO AS TO HELP YOUNG PEOPLE FEEL WELCOME IN CHURCH. IN OUR PART OF THE WORLD THIS CAME ABOUT AS A RESULT OF A REALISATION THAT LOCAL PROTESTANT CHURCHES HAD WELL DEVELOPED YOUTH GROUPS/FELLOWSHIPS. MORE IMPORTANTLY YOUNG CATHOLICS WERE ACTIVELY ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND SUCH FELLOWSHIPS. I HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH OUR YOUTH LEARNING ABOUT ‘OUR SEPARTED BROTHERS AND SISTERS’…BUT , THIS LEARNING PROCESS MUST BE RECIPROCAL !!!
WHEN IT COMES TO AGE ISSUES…I WAS WONDERING WHY THE CONFIRMATION AGE IS ONLY SIXTEEN ? SURELY THIS IS TOO YOUNG ? I WOULD HAVE THOUGHT 21 WOULD BE MORE APPROPRIATE…ANY COMMENTS ?!
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Considering that Confirmation is one of the3 three sacraments of initiation, 21 would seem to be way too far removed from anyone baptized as a baby.
 
otjm said:
Considering that Confirmation is one of the3 three sacraments of initiation, 21 would seem to be way too far removed from anyone baptized as a baby.
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I don’t think it should be related to age. I think it should be done when the person is ready to fully embrace their personal responsibility for their faith walk. For some, it happens very young, for others, much later.
 
DB_AND_ALI said:
I AGREE…THAT IS WHY THE CHURCH IN THE MODERN ERA HAS MANY YOUTH ORIENTATED ACTIVITIES ; …
Click to expand...
guanophore said:
I don’t think it should be related to age. I think it should be done when the person is ready to fully embrace their personal responsibility for their faith walk. For some, it happens very young, for others, much later.
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Hello!

DB and Ali: Please turn off your caps lock. It truly hurts the eyes. Thank you.

Re: Your posts- How do you reconcile the fact that the Eastern Churches, completely Catholic in every way, confirm infants, and that this is as valid a confirmation as those who are confirmed as adults?

Are you aware that the CCC states that Confirmation does not require ratification of the confirmand, only that he or she ask for the sacrament if at the age of discretion (over 7); and that it is the bishop who cnfirms baptism, not the confirmand who confirms his or her belief in the Church? If so, who do you reconcile your viewpoint?
 
OutinChgoburbs said:
Hello!

Re: Your posts- How do you reconcile the fact that the Eastern Churches, completely Catholic in every way, confirm infants, and that this is as valid a confirmation as those who are confirmed as adults?
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In the early days of the church, everyone who joined was an adult, or a child that was brought by a parent. In the early centuries, the catechesis took about three years before the sacraments of initiation. One reason for this long period of instruction was to make sure they were not being infiltrated by spies who were working for persecutors. Anyway, since Jesus said “suffer the children to come unto me” and confirmation is one of the sacraments of initiation, it was never separated from baptism. In the beginning there was always a bishop available, but as the church spread, the bishop had to travel to preside and recieve converts. Priests and deacons could baptize and administer communion, so they were given to children, but it took longer for the bishop to make the rounds, so confirmation got separated out. At least, that is what I read in my church history book. 🙂
OutinChgoburbs said:
Are you aware that the CCC states that Confirmation does not require ratification of the confirmand, only that he or she ask for the sacrament if at the age of discretion (over 7); and that it is the bishop who cnfirms baptism, not the confirmand who confirms his or her belief in the Church? If so, who do you reconcile your viewpoint?
Click to expand...
Yes, but I am also aware that the bishop requires that each candidate write a letter to the bishop, explaining why they want the sacrament. I take my viewpoint from the liturgy of confirmation (the rite) where it asks the candidate their intentions, reasons, and commitment. If the candidate is not willing to take on those responsibilities, then I think they are not ready. I grieve over the “waste” of this beautiful sacrament on young people who really don’t care, I have seen a number of them go through the confirmation classes. They are there to keep their parents off their back, and because they beleive they won’t have to come to ccd anymore once they get confirmed. It is very sad.
 
guanophore said:
I don’t think it should be related to age. I think it should be done when the person is ready to fully embrace their personal responsibility for their faith walk. For some, it happens very young, for others, much later.
Click to expand...
well, it is interesting that at least some of the Eastern rite Churches differ with you, in that they confirm babies and give them the Eucharist as well as Confirmation. However, the Western Rite has moved the age somewhat around the map.

If it is truly part of the initiation into the Church, rather than a later confirmation that they really are members (as late teenagers or early adults), then how late do you propose that they receive this and still have meaning that it is part of the initiation into the Church? And would you also agree with making reception of the Eucharist tied to it; in other words, as late as 21 or later?

The point I am making is that the Church has not made joining the Church wait until “they are ready to fully embrace…”. since the other two sacraments of initiation do not require this, why would you require it of Confirmation?
 
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