Confirmation

[Deacon_Ed]

Fr. JLT:

It can legitimately be called a Rite of Passage, since it is the final of the three “steps” to total initiation in the Church. An unconfirmed Catholic is not a fully initiated Catholic. Neither is an uneucharistized Catholic a fully initiated Catholic.

Rev. Fr: If I may be so bold – it’s not a rite of passage because it’s the *second *of the three sacraments of initiation. Properly administered a person is baptized, then confirmed to “seal the Holy Spirit” and, in celebration of that, he or she is eucharized to “eat what we are to become.” It becomes a rite of passage only when placed where the Latin Church has it today. And therein lies the problem. I believe you said you are in agreement with administering the sacraments in the proper order…

Deacon Ed

 

[Fr.JLT]

Deacon Ed, I would likewise take acception. “Properly administered” is determined by those who have the authority to do so. Whether Confirmation follows baptism or follows Holy Eucharist, it is still one of the three stages of initiation, and one is not fully initiated without it.

In most circumstances in the Latin Church, the current discipline places Confirmation after Holy Eucharist. This is “properly administered” since it is the authority of th Church which has a right to determine such things.

– Fr. L.

 

[Deacon_Ed]

Fr. JLT:

Deacon Ed, I would likewise take acception. “Properly administered” is determined by those who have the authority to do so. Whether Confirmation follows baptism or follows Holy Eucharist, it is still one of the three stages of initiation, and one is not fully initiated without it.

In most circumstances in the Latin Church, the current discipline places Confirmation after Holy Eucharist. This is “properly administered” since it is the authority of th Church which has a right to determine such things.

– Fr. L.

Fr, In the normal course of things, you are correct. However, the statutes for the RCIA tell us that the normal order is that which we use in the Eastern Catholic Chruches. The bishops will, eventually, determine how the sacraments of initiation are to be sequenced. And, of course, you are also correct that unless one has received all three of the sacraments of initiation one is not fully initiated.

Deacon Ed

 

[JimG]

I like the idea of doing Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist in that order. But I have some qualms about then having preschool children receiving communion on a continuing basis before they are catechized. (As would be the case with infant baptism.)

Is there any possibility that the Roman Rite will return to the idea of Baptism, Confirmation, then perhaps delaying Eucharist until 2nd Grade?

 

[akemner]

One of our Byzantine Catholic Deacons (from Arizona) is Latino (i think his parents are from Mexico). Since he grew up in the USA as a Latin Catholic, he received the Sacraments as many here have received them. However, all of his cousins from south of the border were confirmed between the ages of 1 and 3, and received Communion later (the Bishops there make it to their parishes about once once in three years, and they confirm any that have not been). I wonder where else this practice is done?

In Christ,
Adam

p.s. You never know the spiritual state of a child-even at three years old, some of our children indicate that they know that the Eucharist is not merely bread and wine, but Jesus somehow-usually they refer to Him as “my bite of Jesus,” or just “Jesus.”

 

[Evan]

In a book ‘Writings on Sacramental Theology’

The author, who was assisting in writing some of the Vatican II documents at the time, views Confirmation as the 2nd of the 3 sacraments of initiation. (the baptism of the spirit.)

In Acts and Pauls letters, there are references to Baptism of water and the spirit… or in modern parlance, Baptism and Confirmation

In John’s Gospel (3:58) We take on Christ in baptism
and (9:1-9) We take on the Holy Spirit in confirmation and recieve the messianic gifts (gifts of the anointed)

So we are incorporated into the Body of Christ in Baptism,
we take on the Spirit of Chirst (the Holy Spirit) in Confirmation,
and we recieve ongoing food (Spiritual and Physical) for the work of a christian through the continued reception of the Eucharist.

This was modeled on the idea of Baptism = Israels journey through the Red Sea
Confirmation is the reception of the Law and Anointing at Mt Sinai
Eucharist was the manna (true bread) to maintain us on the journey. (2nd Century Fathers)

In the history of the sacrament, it was said that confirmation was first moved (in the middle ages) to when the child was 1 or 2 years old, ie, when the bishop came to town – baptism was done near birth. (Prior to this the bishop did all three)
Eucharist would be done at 5 or 6.

Hope this helps. I’m better at talking than writing!

 

[watertower]

I just want to thank everyone so much for replying with so much wonderful information. Yes, I had planned to speak to the priest, other parents, etc. But sometimes it’s nice to hear from others too. You’ve made me feel much better about it, no matter which way it goes. You are wonderful, thank-you!!

 

[nimitz1129]

KCT:

The kids at our parish all believe they are ‘confirming their faith’. They’re making their own choice to be Catholic. Frankly, I think if 2nd graders can receive the Eucharist, something none of us can really understand, I don’t see why Confirmation is such a big mystery that they have to be in high school to understand and receive. —KCT

I am envious of you that the kids actually want to be confirmed. I am a confirmation teacher at my church and teach second year students who go to both public and private high school and what makes my job very difficult as what they really want is a social night to talk to old friends. Th other problem is that most kids are there because their parents sent them so they do not truly understand the beauty of the Catholic Church and the myssteries that surround it. I go to an all boy’s “catholic” high school where it seems that the religion courses I take relate directly to what I am doing in confirmation but as the majority if my kids go to public school they do not have that advantage. I personally would of loved to have been confirmed in the eigth grade when my thirst fo the Catholic Church was at its peak but when I entered high school by perception of the church fell as i realized how weak and political the modern day church is on any issue. I asked a priest about the official teaching about politicians and abortion and he said he too was confused.