Confirmation and First Holy Communion

[vince2paul]

In the parish where my mum lives, there are few things that I’m not quite sure whether it’s right, please help me to clarify.

1. Confirmation is only to be received at least a year after the baptism.
2. First Holy Communion is received at the age of 11/12 (primary 6).
3. Candidates/cathecuments must attend 100% of the RCIA session regardless of any reasons. fail to attend once (even sick, urgent matter, etc), means repeat the whole process the following years. Honestly, I find it quite ridiculous.

Is this normal? or it depends on the bishop to make this?

 

[LilyM]

11-12 does seem a little old for first Communion. I myself had my first communion at 8 (I think) and was confirmed young, at 12. And the RCIA requirement sounds excessive. I’m sure these rules aren’t the same in every diocese.

Nothing wrong with waiting for confirmation though! After a year as a Catholic you’re still very much a baby in the faith.

 

[Kielbasi]

In the parish where my mum lives, there are few things that I’m not quite sure whether it’s right, please help me to clarify.

1. Confirmation is only to be received at least a year after the baptism.
2. First Holy Communion is received at the age of 11/12 (primary 6).
3. Candidates/cathecuments must attend 100% of the RCIA session regardless of any reasons. fail to attend once (even sick, urgent matter, etc), means repeat the whole process the following years. Honestly, I find it quite ridiculous.

Is this normal? or it depends on the bishop to make this?

As far as numbers 1 and 2, the age of reception of the sacraments has changed over the years. Although I think its very peculiar that adult converts wouldn’t receive baptism and confirmation at the same time.

Number 3 does seem rather strict, however. But then maybe not, Singapore has some pretty strict laws where you can get caned for spitting on the street or buying a pack of chewing gum.

Maybe that parish regulation is just a case of acculturation.

 

[vince2paul]

Number 3 does seem rather strict, however. But then maybe not, Singapore has some pretty strict laws where you can get caned for spitting on the street or buying a pack of chewing gum.

Maybe that parish regulation is just a case of acculturation.

Well, it’s not in Singapore, it’s in Indonesia.
As far as I know, it’s unreasonable, this year about 100 people (out of 300) weren’t able to get confirmation because of this.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

In the parish where my mum lives, there are few things that I’m not quite sure whether it’s right, please help me to clarify.

1. Confirmation is only to be received at least a year after the baptism.
2. First Holy Communion is received at the age of 11/12 (primary 6).
3. Candidates/cathecuments must attend 100% of the RCIA session regardless of any reasons. fail to attend once (even sick, urgent matter, etc), means repeat the whole process the following years. Honestly, I find it quite ridiculous.

Is this normal? or it depends on the bishop to make this?

1. I don’t quite understand your question? Confirmation cannot be received before the age of reason in the US or about 7 years old I don’t know about other countries. If you are speaking about RCIA for a Child over the age of Reason they must be Confirmed at the same time as their Baptism. Diocesan policy for children Baptized as infants does not apply to Catechumens. This is universal.
2. Receiving First Holy Communion at a later age is becoming common. However again with RCIA for children they must receive First Holy Communion at the time of their Baptism at the Easter Vigil. Diocesan policy for children Baptized as infants does not apply to Catechumens. This is universal.

I think it’s a reasonable expectation that they be at most if not all the sessions and are required to be at certain Rites. Expecting them to be at EVERY session is a bit overboard. The Rite does not have a certain attendance requirement.

 

[vince2paul]

1. I don’t quite understand your question? Confirmation cannot be received before the age of reason in the US or about 7 years old I don’t know about other countries. If you are speaking about RCIA for a Child over the age of Reason they must be Confirmed at the same time as their Baptism. Diocesan policy for children Baptized as infants does not apply to Catechumens. This is universal.

If an adult get baptised today, he/she won’t be confirmed for at least a year from today.

1. Receiving First Holy Communion at a later age is becoming common. However again with RCIA for children they must receive First Holy Communion at the time of their Baptism at the Easter Vigil. Diocesan policy for children Baptized as infants does not apply to Catechumens. This is universal.

I think it’s a reasonable expectation that they be at most if not all the sessions and are required to be at certain Rites. Expecting them to be at EVERY session is a bit overboard. The Rite does not have a certain attendance requirement.

I agree with you, it is to help them understand, but to ask them to attend all is quite ridiculous, well it’s also applied to those preparing for their sacrament of matrimony.

 

[CRW]

In the parish where my mum lives, there are few things that I’m not quite sure whether it’s right, please help me to clarify.

1. Confirmation is only to be received at least a year after the baptism.
2. First Holy Communion is received at the age of 11/12 (primary 6).
3. Candidates/cathecuments must attend 100% of the RCIA session regardless of any reasons. fail to attend once (even sick, urgent matter, etc), means repeat the whole process the following years. Honestly, I find it quite ridiculous.

Is this normal? or it depends on the bishop to make this?

If that was the case in the US our Easter Vigil would be a short one, maybe one baptism and confirmation. I can see missing for no grave reason but sick? Holy Mass is not required if one is sick.

 

[PhilipCal]

My only comment concerns the RCIA attendence requirement.Certainly, every session of RCIA is important, but the requrement you referenced is way over the top.