Denver's Archbishop Aquila restores sacraments to original order [CNA]

[CNA_News]

http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/images/size340/Chalice_Credit_Lauren_Cater_CNA_5_22_15.jpgDenver, Colo., May 23, 2015 / 04:01 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- In an unprecedented change for an archdiocese, Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila of Denver announced that the Sacraments of Initiation – Baptism, Confirmation and First Communion – will be restored to their original order.

“In an increasingly secular world, the reality is this: the souls of our children are the battleground. As the shepherd of the Archdiocese of Denver, I must do everything I can to help those who form children win that battle,” he explained in his pastoral letter “Saints Among Us” released May 23.

“The world needs saints. Even as our society becomes more distant from faith and more forgetful of God, it still hungers for joyful witnesses who have been transformed by Christ,” he explained. “At the same time, new generations of Catholics need grace to sustain them in a non-Christian environment.”

In response to those needs, Archbishop Aquila said he’s chosen to restore the sacraments to the original order.

While the majority of dioceses and archdioceses have children baptized in infancy, receive the First Communion in first or second grade and Confirmation sometime in middle or high school, the original order placed Confirmation and First Communion in the same ceremony.

“This will make available every sacramental grace the Church has to offer to children who have reached the age of reason,” he explained.

When he made the change in his then-Diocese of Fargo in 2002, he said he was convinced by the “theological and pastoral reasons” that it was the right decision, but the feedback from parents after it was implemented further confirmed the change.

In his pastoral letter, Archbishop Aquila detailed a five year plan that will help parishes in Northern Colorado implement the changes by 2020.

It is his hope that after the change, Confirmation will no longer be the “sacrament of farewell” and Pope Francis regretfully called it, but rather “a profound encounter with each person of the Holy Trinity.”

As a result of the change, youth groups will need to adapt from sacramental preparation to “building community, fostering deeper relationships with each person of the Holy Trinity, and preparing them to be witnesses to the poor, those in need, and those who do not know Jesus Christ.”

This model, which is based on Jesus’ preparation of the Twelve Apostles, is already present in many parishes of the Archdiocese and is “bearing great fruits.”

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Full article…

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

Bishop Silva of Honolulu made a similar announcement last month. Source]

I hope this spreads to many more dioceses! It would eliminate once and for all the idea that confirmation is a sacrament of maturity, mean many more young Catholics would have the graces of the sacrament, and encourage dioceses and parishes to find better ways to provide formation for teens and adults so that they grow in their faith, love of the Lord, and service to their neighbors.

 

[pnewton]

My one concern is that I have seen a great deal of good come from the teenage confirmation classes, where teens are brought together for this sacrament. I think it is easier to implement a life changing experience nearer the end of graduation. I would hope that this AB will track this as an experiment and see if it bears more, or less fruit.

That being said, it may well be worth trying, as long as he is willing to retract it if it proves less prudent.

 

[Micosil]

This is most interesting. My RCIA instructor was telling me the bishop here also has plans to reinstate the original order in our diocese as well. Is this a global phenomenon?

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

My one concern is that I have seen a great deal of good come from the teenage confirmation classes, where teens are brought together for this sacrament.

Parishes that have good programs for teens should continue to have good programs for teens. But there’s no theological reason to delay confirmation for many years in order to implement something for the teens in the parish. (I tend to view it as holding the sacrament hostage in order to force teens to attend religious education classes.)

This is most interesting. My RCIA instructor was telling me the bishop here also has plans to reinstate the original order in our diocese as well. Is this a global phenomenon?

Canon law says that confirmation can be conferred any time after the age of reason, the same as the Eucharist. In the US the age varies from 7 or 8 up to the later teens. I don’t know what is done elsewhere in the world – perhaps some of the non-US readers will comment. Rather than being a global phenomenon, it may just be that the US bishops are getting in line with the rest of the world.

 

[Brendan]

My one concern is that I have seen a great deal of good come from the teenage confirmation classes, where teens are brought together for this sacrament. I think it is easier to implement a life changing experience nearer the end of graduation. I would hope that this AB will track this as an experiment and see if it bears more, or less fruit.

That being said, it may well be worth trying, as long as he is willing to retract it if it proves less prudent.

I would hardly call it an ‘experiment’. It has been practiced by the Church for millennia. The Eastern Catholic Churches Confirm in infancy, and they do quite well for retention.

Personally, I think kids need all the Grace they can get, and it does not make much sense withholding it from them until their teenage years.

 

[Vasallus]

No mention of reconciliation…

 

[Gertabelle]

I live in Denver, and the conversations this has started have been very interesting.

Some parents are excited, some are worried. There’s a lot of misinformation out there about this sacrament, what it means, what it requires of the person receiving it… Much education is going to be needed for all of us parents who were told that confirmation was the Catholic equivalent of a bar mitzvah back in our day.

As far as the concern “what will we do with our middle and early high school students now?” I think perhaps it is good to note that the protestant churches that do not have anything called confirmation often have engaging and educational programs for their youth.

According to the current plan of implementation, my son will be confirmed when he is in seventh grade, a year earlier than we expected – he’s thrilled! I wish he could be confirmed sooner, but this is still a great blessing!

God bless you!

Gertie

 

[Phemie]

No mention of reconciliation…

There is no reason to mention it. Reconciliation is not considered a sacrament of initiation.

That said, Canon Law is clear that children must receive the sacrament of reconciliation before they receive Communion for the first time. That would obviously mean they receive it before Confirmation if both sacraments are conferred in the same celebration as is usually done in dioceses that have restored the order.

 

[Gertabelle]

No mention of reconciliation…

Reconciliation will take place sometime before the mass of confirmation/first communion. I don’t know if that has been set for second or third grade, but I’m certain that will be worked out in time.

Gertie

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

No mention of reconciliation…

Reconciliation is not a sacrament of initiation. This is bringing back the proper order of the sacraments of baptism, confirmation, then Eucharist.

 

[pianistclare]

Parishes that have good programs for teens should continue to have good programs for teens. But there’s no theological reason to delay confirmation for many years in order to implement something for the teens in the parish. (I tend to view it as holding the sacrament hostage in order to force teens to attend religious education classes.)

***Of course, but…
Here’s the “thing”: Parents see no need to put their children in formation. If we didn’t reserve Confirmation for teens that are at least 15…there would be NO classes and no youth programs. Simple as that. That’s whole reason some Bishops moved it in the first place. We already see a huge loss of students after First Communion. Soccer beckons. Ballet, baseball, Lacrosse. Parents have their kids enrolled in everything EXCEPT Catholic religious ed classes. The classes would be emptier than they already are. Which really saddens me. I know it’s the way it used to be, but honestly…we would have NO CHANCE of teaching kids morality, Catholic teachings on marriage, chastity, or any other issues that the secular world is all too eager to instruct them in.
Parents are not bringing their children up in the faith…they themselves no longer view missing mass as any big deal, they seldom go to confession, they are lukewarm and sporadically attending in the first place.
If they bring that in here, I would mean the end of teen catechesis, except for maybe a dozen kids in the parish. A dozen kids are not going to support the church and raise enough Catholic families for the future.
That’s just the way it is. ***

Canon law says that confirmation can be conferred any time after the age of reason, the same as the Eucharist. In the US the age varies from 7 or 8 up to the later teens. I don’t know what is done elsewhere in the world – perhaps some of the non-US readers will comment. Rather than being a global phenomenon, it may just be that the US bishops are getting in line with the rest of the world.

 

[pianistclare]

Cont.

Actual remark after First Communion: We’re not going to enroll Billy in Religious Ed classes in third grade…we told him since he was so good about coming to classes for First Communion he could have a break. And anyway, all of his soccer games are on Sundays, so we probably won’t be coming to church anyway.

Typical remark of students AFTER Confirmation:
Miss Clare…can I be in classes again next year? I can help you with small group discussion, and I can help with the younger students! Can we ask Father for more Adoration times? Can I learn how to be a reader at Mass? I have some ideas for community service at the homeless shelter. Can I work on that as a parish wide project next year in LifeTeen?
Parents: I can’t believe he wants to come to church!

It will all go down the tubes if we move Confirmation. They DO mature, an they DO learn what it means to practice the faith. If they didn’t come for classes, they likely would only think it’s about “having” to go to Mass. Not wanting to. And no one would enroll them in classes. They just wouldn’t. We already have kids that want to return, and parents don’t want to pay the class fee. We generally waive the fee for those kids. We’re here to encourage.

I know everyone’s going to jump on me for this…but I’ve been a DRE for a long time.
If there’s a loophole…people will take it.
The faithful Catholics on CAF are not typical.

 

[Elizium23]

I’m sorry, Clare, but your words ring hollow when I have had the opposite experience. Here and in other dioceses, the restored order has already been implemented for years, and is bearing good fruit. My own parish has a dynamic teen group that has youth on fire for the faith.

My own niece in another diocese with late Confirmation, however, is not so blessed. She was fed up with the Church soon after First Communion, and doesn’t darken the door even on Christmas or Easter. She may never enjoy the graces of Confirmation. She would definitely have had them all this time if it had been conferred in the right order.

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

Clare,

You know I respect your views. So this is just an alternative view.

I work with our adult confirmation program. This is for people past high school age who were never confirmed. The first week of class I always ask why they’ve decided to seek confirmation now. And the single most common answer is that back when they were teens, refusing to be confirmed was a bit of power they had. Just teenage rebellion, but in trying to assert themselves they ended up hurting themselves spiritually. And now that they’re 10 years or 20 years or more older, they know what they’re missing. In some cases they have teens themselves who are fighting confirmation class, and if mom or dad makes the effort, maybe the teen will see that it really is important.

We definitely need programs for teens. We also need programs for young adults, families, seniors, and just plain adults. We need to find ways to help people grow spiritually throughout their lives. We need to find ways to make God as much a priority in people’s lives as soccer practice. And I sure don’t know the answers.

 

[zaffiroborant]

Canon law says that confirmation can be conferred any time after the age of reason, the same as the Eucharist. In the US the age varies from 7 or 8 up to the later teens.

How do the Eastern Catholics fit in this, as I understand it infants are baptized and confirmed together like the Orthodox churches do.

 

[edwest2]

Clare,

You know I respect your views. So this is just an alternative view.

I work with our adult confirmation program. This is for people past high school age who were never confirmed. The first week of class I always ask why they’ve decided to seek confirmation now. And the single most common answer is that back when they were teens, refusing to be confirmed was a bit of power they had. Just teenage rebellion, but in trying to assert themselves they ended up hurting themselves spiritually. And now that they’re 10 years or 20 years or more older, they know what they’re missing. In some cases they have teens themselves who are fighting confirmation class, and if mom or dad makes the effort, maybe the teen will see that it really is important.

We definitely need programs for teens. We also need programs for young adults, families, seniors, and just plain adults. We need to find ways to help people grow spiritually throughout their lives. We need to find ways to make God as much a priority in people’s lives as soccer practice. And I sure don’t know the answers.

The answers are simple. Religious education in the home and at school. I went through Religion Class where it was all explained. Confession and Communion first. Confirmation, along with a Confirmation Sponsor, in the teens.

The family is the first introduction to the faith. Both or one need to live it out and as the children age, give them additional, age appropriate education.

We cannot be content to go to Church, not know the person standing next to us, get in our cars and go home. We are to be Catholic every other day. We have to talk to our priests, have a place where young and old can go and not just be told what to do but are also encouraged to do it - that in a culture that values 'what I want, my will be done." A place where questions and solid answers are provided. A place where Catholics can talk about and help each other live authentically Catholic lives at home, work and in their choice of leisure activities.

Peace,
Ed

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

Ed, I agree with you. Our faith is not something that happens for an hour a week. It has to be lived at home, at work, in our families, and in our neighborhoods. But how do you inspire a family like the one Clare described, where a child receives communion and then the parents say “now you can take some time off and church won’t interfere with your sports.” So many Catholics are cultural Catholics. They do the minimum and they’re satisfied.

Zaffiroborant, Eastern Catholics have a different code of canon law. They fully initiate infants.

 

[pnewton]

I would hardly call it an ‘experiment’. It has been practiced by the Church for millennia. The Eastern Catholic Churches Confirm in infancy, and they do quite well for retention…

I did not call it an experiment. If you read what I said, I think it would be a good idea to *track *it as an experiment to see if it is helpful, or harmful for the faithful. Just collect data. That is all.

We live in a secular world that values knowledge over God. Atheism is more prevalent today than anytime in history. Therefore, I believe our challenges are great and unique. I see nothing but good in being honest about what works and what doesn’t. This may be the best thing for young people. If so, that information would be useful in helping other bishops make decisions.

 

[pnewton]

!

It will all go down the tubes if we move Confirmation.

Maybe not. There are other ways to bring young people together besides the common experience of Confirmation, though this works very well in my parish. I know of another parish that has an active LifeTeen ministry that brings this age together and helps them internalize their faith. In areas where confirmation is moved, this will be the challenge, but it is a challenge with solutions. This is why I would hope the bishop would see how his diocese is meeting this challenge.