Confirmation moved in Tyler, TX

[kmktexas]

Look at this news from Tyler, TX!! Several posters (Puzzleannie especially comes to mind) have been hoping for this. The Bishops letter is really great explaining the how and why.

In light of this reflection and the pastoral reality of the Diocese of Tyler, and having
discussed this important question with the priests, deacons, and members of the lay faithful, as
Bishop of the Diocese of Tyler, I am directing that our catechetical and pastoral practices shall
encourage parents, as the primary educators of their children, to present their children for the
Sacrament of Confirmation and then First Eucharist at about eight years of age after appropriate
preparation. First Reconciliation shall be encouraged after they have reached the age of seven11
and been prepared to begin regular celebration of Confession as part of the call to conversion and
the Call to Holiness.

(bolding mine)

I sure hope this catches on in the rest of Texas.

Link to diocisan website story

 

[Kielbasi]

The bishop of Tyler put some thought into his change of policy, but you know that isn’t the way its done most places elsewhere in the United States.

I’d like to see the results before such a major change is taken on a wide scale.

 

[Forest-Pine]

I find this very fascinating as I was posting about the history behind this just the other day.

Confirmation at one time was always administered in childhood along with baptism and first communion. This practice continues in Eastern Catholic churches. The reason it was seperated was best briefly summed up on another forum:
Henry Karlson:

Historically, from what I understand, the situation went this way in the West:

Charlesmagne wanted to baptize pagans but not allow them to recieve communion until they had proper catechesis. He asked how this could be done. He was told to withold confirmation – because it is confirmation which gives the right to the rest of the sacraments.

When this happened, baptism and confirmation became separate events. Through history, confirmation was pushed back, and with it, first communion in the West.

Go forward several centuries. Pope St Pius X notes that children used to recieve communion. He establishes an earlier age of reception, but the reason why they no longer recieved it had been somewhat forgotten. So they started to recieve without confirmation. This abnormal practice, which has lasted for nearly a century, now is seen as the “norm” by many Roman Catholics. But within theological circles, it is being understood as a mistake, and work is being done to reverse this problem and bring the proper order of the sacraments back.

I had not seen any of the fruits of this work to which Henry referred until now. I think it is a step in the right direction afterall!

 

[puzzleannie]

not my diocese, wish it was, it’s a start. the current practice of first communion at about age 7 or 8 and delayed confirmation is only about 100 years old, not something dating back to Trent or early Church. The Eastern Church has never lost the theologically correct practice of uniting baptism and confirmation (chrismation) in one celebration, because priests have the faculty to chrismate. Since in the West because of the restoration of the RCIA and because of the limited availability of bishops, priest are more often given the faculty to confirm, the historical reason for the separation of these two intimately linked sacraments of initiation is disappearing.

What we need is a comprehensive theology of confirmation, when we understand that the rest will fall into place.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

kmktexas:

Look at this news from Tyler, TX!! Several posters (Puzzleannie especially comes to mind) have been hoping for this. The Bishops letter is really great explaining the how and why.

(bolding mine)

I sure hope this catches on in the rest of Texas.

Link to diocisan website story

I am directing that our catechetical and pastoral practices shall
encourage parents, as the primary educators of their children, to present their children for the
Sacrament of Confirmation and then First Eucharist at about eight years of age after appropriate
preparation.

Hopefully this is indicating that the primary educational responsibility is with the parents and NOT with the parish DRE.

I have no problem with the order of the Sacraments.

First Reconciliation shall be encouraged after they have reached the age of seven11
and been prepared to begin regular celebration of Confession as part of the call to conversion and the Call to Holiness.

Notice this also "First Reconciliation shall be encouraged" it does not say required.

First Reconciliation is not a Sacrament that is publicly celebrated. The children are catechized and presented opportunity to receive the sacrament . But it should not be documented and a certificate given. No one but the child and God should know if the child actually went to Confession.

A parent should take the child to Reconciliation individually or to a communal penance service, it should not be received as a class or group