Age of confirmation

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Scoobyshme said:
But correct me if I’m wrong, please. The Conference of Bishops really doesn’t have any authority over individual bishops, except as each may agree, and the individual bishops can set their own policy, n’est pas, apart from the Conference of Bishops? Although, maybe the Pope needs to approve of these type of disciplinary changes? It seems that the Pope was very pleased and agreeable that the Bishop of Fargo (Bishop Samuel Aquila) had requested and received permission to give the Sacrament of Confirmation along with Baptism and Holy Communion. “I was very surprised in what the Pope said to me, in terms of how happy he was that the sacraments of initiation have been restored to their proper order of baptism, confirmation then first Eucharist,” said Bishop Aquila, after meeting Pope Benedict on March 8.
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That’s why I was shocked when our bishop just announced the 11th grade. That seems beyond the norm promoted by the USCCB.:confused:
 
Scoobyshme said:
But correct me if I’m wrong, please. The Conference of Bishops really doesn’t have any authority over individual bishops, except as each may agree, and the individual bishops can set their own policy, n’est pas, apart from the Conference of Bishops? Although, maybe the Pope needs to approve of these type of disciplinary changes? It seems that the Pope was very pleased and agreeable that the Bishop of Fargo (Bishop Samuel Aquila) had requested and received permission to give the Sacrament of Confirmation along with Baptism and Holy Communion. “I was very surprised in what the Pope said to me, in terms of how happy he was that the sacraments of initiation have been restored to their proper order of baptism, confirmation then first Eucharist,” said Bishop Aquila, after meeting Pope Benedict on March 8.
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What has been approved for the U.S is age of reason (7) to ABOUT 16. That is what was sent for approval which was approved. I can’t remember how often they need to get this reapproved. Something made me think the last time it was reapproved was in early 2000. Pope Benedict is very much for reordering of the sacraments as he is probably well aware of the problems with theology/and those not receiving it at all. It is odd that after that a Bishop would go up instead of down, but as of right now, that is their right - the meaning of ABOUT 16 means approaching/just turned tho. So those in Junior/Senior are above what is outlined. If you ask any 18 if they are about 16, they would say “no” - about 20 or 21.
 
Technically, how this all came about, is that the NCCB sent for approval for extended age for Confirmation but what they sent was blank. It was sent back saying you have to put an age and they responded with “about 16”.
 
Hopey said:
What has been approved for the U.S is age of reason (7) to ABOUT 16. That is what was sent for approval which was approved. I can’t remember how often they need to get this reapproved. Something made me think the last time it was reapproved was in early 2000. Pope Benedict is very much for reordering of the sacraments as he is probably well aware of the problems with theology/and those not receiving it at all. It is odd that after that a Bishop would go up instead of down, but as of right now, that is their right - the meaning of ABOUT 16 means approaching/just turned tho. So those in Junior/Senior are above what is outlined. If you ask any 18 if they are about 16, they would say “no” - about 20 or 21.
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My kids will be 17 + in the spring of their Junior year of high school. It’s just discouraging.
 
Don’t be discourged. Express your concerns. If your children would like to receive before then, it can be allowed.
 
I think if what we’re doing isn’t working, we ought to consider changing.
 
etmom said:
meaning changing to an adult age? Or to a younger age?
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Younger.

Adults have to be catechized about it, too - start when they come to Baptism prep. Start early explaining what it means to “raise a child in the Faith”. Teach them how to pray with their kids, give them resources, follow up with them, invite them to the parish school or Religious Ed program.

It will be interesting to follow what happens in Fargo - do parents pull the kids out after the sacraments?

I heard recently, that in the not too distant past, parents were told that the catechists were the ones qualified to teach the faith. “Send them to religious ed and let us take care of it” type of thing. So now parents don’t want to do it and we’re surprised?
 
My guardian was told something similar / let catechize do it. When she realized by 12th grade I didn’t even know basics, she complained to diocese which they responded it was her job anyway!:eek: so, we are now aware that it is parents responsibility and if they choose CCD or need the help of CCD, it is there. I wish it were the same age and reordered across the US. It would Help those who move only to find out age is younger where they are. The parents are the first teachers and ideally working w the parish, etc.
 
Chatter163 said:
As for the eagerness to receive sacramental graces as soon as possible, that is fine, but in the big picture of life, whether one is confirmed at 13 or 17, is not a huge difference.
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It does make a huge difference. My parish confirms at 13. The parish across town recently pushed up confirmation to 14. The parents from the cross town parish bought their kids to my parish, enrolled them in our Confirmation class. I don’t have an exact number of kids enrolled. However, it’s our largest class— ever. In fact, our pastor had to put a stop this year on enrolling any more kids from the cross town parish.

My parish Youth Director tells me, at 14, the kids become too independent, contrary, sports activities, etc, and we lose a lot of them.
 
So thankful that my children were confirmed “young”. We have done family prayers, devotions, etc. since they were babies, but there is nothing like the in-dwelling of the Holy Spirit! 😃
 
etmom said:
What is the age of confirmation in your diocese? Ours just announced that they are moving it to 11th grade. When we moved here, they were doing restored order, and confirming at the time of First Communion. Then they moved it back, and more recently, suspended it entirely, pending a final decision. The reasoning is to allow for longer religious education period. I know a huge issue was parents leaving religious education entirely after first communion/confirmation when it was following restored order. Providing NO religious education after the age of 7 or 8 for their children.

I was really praying that they would move it back to first communion age again. I have had two children be confirmed in 9th grade. My other children are younger, and have not yet been confirmed. I feel that lifelong religious education is vitally important for all, but don’t feel that confirmation should be used as a tool to achieve this. Since confirmation is a spiritual grace, a strengthening of baptism, is it wrong to want my child to receive this prior to adulthood? Should all children be denied this sacrament because some parents did the wrong thing?

Is this something that is happening all over?
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I think it’s terrible! 11th graders are already working part time jobs and are involved in organized sports and other things that are helping them get into college. 9th grade would be preferable. 10th grade was very difficult working around their sports’ schedules.
My kids were prepared and ready when they were in 6th grade.
 
Where I live, it is around age 14/15 - fall of 9th grade. My son will be 14 when he is confirmed, unless something changes between now & then. (he’s in 4th grade currently).

Their confirmation prep occurs during CCD in 7th/8th grades. My problem with how our parish handles it is the forced retreat, forced community service, etc. Now - don’t get me wrong; I have no problem with retreats, no problem w/ community service. I just don’t think it should be forced upon people to receive a sacrament. I would much rather my son come to me about a retreat because he heard about it and wants to go. Same w/ community service - I would much rather him come to me and express an interest in something than doing it because he “has to”.
 
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