Help! Confirmation Class full of unvbelievers!

[brb3]

They certainly cannot confirm. … you do not receive [confirmation] unless a VALIDLY ordained bishop or priest lays hands on you.

Within the Catholic Church … this is correct an proper :yup: But, OUTSIDE the CC … God is not similarily bound.

God HAS CHOSEN to use unorthodox vessels to convey his graces too … when it suits his pleasure and purpose. While we Catholics are bound by Orthodoxy [Apostolic/Magisterial decrees] … the Protestants are currently outside Catholic Orthodoxy /// binding/loosing. Nevertheless, God does draw all nations and peoples to him, via the spoken WORD, & by using those Sacraments available to the Protestants, etc. He does not withhold his salvific/efficacious GRACE from the true seekers / believers. HE baptizes & confirms true believers into Him, via his H.S. This is beyond dispute !! Do not be so naive as to reject this REALITY. Both Protestant & Catholic Christians are currently joined together by God’s H.S. … in the fight against pro-choice abortion. The Protestant Evangelicals are actively spreading the Gospel to all nations … baptising converts for Christ’s Kingdom. Christ does not ignore their efforts …He is actively engaged whereever the Cross is being lifted up, and the Gospel proclaimed. Protestanism is a splinter group out of Catholicism, its historic roots are in our Church, … and soon Christ will bring them back FULLY, re-unifing his ONE CHURCH. Mary, & all the Catholic and Protestant saints, are working tirelessly towards this eventuality.

You / I are bound, to what our Church teaches. We are being held/judged at a ‘higher standard’ of understanding, and cannot claim invincible ignorance. And our Church promotes Ecumenism, knowing that Christ has desired this ultimate reality for the Church. One day, all believers will have full access to all ORTHODOX teachings and Sacraments. Until that day … Christ always finds a way to make the crooked straight, bringing new light and revelations to his splinter flock.

Peace be with you … sister 1ke

Pray with me that JP2 will soon be sainted. When that happens … the Univeral Church Triumphant will gain another saint, working tirelessly to bring on the reality of unity. JP2 knew that Protestants were our separated brothers/sisters… and he became that special Catholic in the hearts of many Protestants, that drew us to the One Church. :hug3:

 

[karaleigh]

We receive the Holy Spirit at baptism.

Non Catholic ecclesial communities do not have the sacrament of Confirmation.

Most outside the Catholic order considers the ‘baptism’ itself the confirmation of faith. Somewhat of a lazy idea, but still one of the servant of Christ. I think the baptism without the sacraments is more from the House of David then a Christian ideal.

And, some do celebrate sacrament, but only every few months or so. They call it as to a faith in Christ…really, I found it much more as a ritual performed as an element in a specific church organization. They make it fun, but not a tribute to Jesus as it should be considered.

 

[1ke]

Within the Catholic Church … this is correct an proper :yup: But, OUTSIDE the CC … God is not similarily bound.

Now you are talking about something other than the sacraments.

HE baptizes & confirms true believers into Him, via his H.S. This is beyond dispute !!

Those who are validly baptized receive the holy spirit at baptism. They do not receive the Sacrament of Confirmation unless/until they receive it through a priest/bishop with valid Holy Orders. Their baptism is certainly efficacious. It is not completed by confirmation.

Do not be so naive as to reject this REALITY. Both Protestant & Catholic Christians are currently joined together by God’s H.S. … in the fight against pro-choice abortion. The Protestant Evangelicals are actively spreading the Gospel to all nations … baptising converts for Christ’s Kingdom. Christ does not ignore their efforts …He is actively engaged whereever the Cross is being lifted up, and the Gospel proclaimed. Protestanism is a splinter group out of Catholicism, its historic roots are in our Church, … and soon Christ will bring them back FULLY, re-unifing his ONE CHURCH. Mary, & all the Catholic and Protestant saints, are working tirelessly towards this eventuality.

Which has absolutely nothing to do with the sacrament of Confirmation. All of this is accomplished through Baptism into the body of christ.

 

[brb3]

Those who are validly baptized receive the holy spirit at baptism. They do not receive the Sacrament of Confirmation unless/until they receive it through a priest/bishop with valid Holy Orders. Their baptism is certainly efficacious. It is not completed by confirmation.

Not completed by the confirmation of a Catholic priest, No. But, confirmed none the less … by Christ, thru ways you seem to doubt could be possible.

I’m not saying that Protestants really understand it, or that all claim it occurs in their Churches … but, Christ does Enlighten many Protestants, confirming them in their faith thru sealing of Holy Spirit.

As I read the Catholic Church’s description of what Catholic Confirmation produces, and having received it myself … I don’t see a whole lot of difference in the final outcome/effects upon the initiated. Sealing is sealing … enlightenment is the ultimate result.

Proof texts thereof:

Acts 10:2-5 [Cornelius] a devout man who FEARED GOD WITH ALL HIS HOUSEHOLD, GAVE ALMS liberally to the people, and PRAYED CONSTANTLY to God. About the 9th hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God coming in and saying to him “Cornelius.” And he stared at him in terror, and said “what is it, Lord?” And he said to him, “Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a MEMORIAL before God. Now, send men to Joppa , and bring Peter”.

Peter comes & says … Acts 10:34 "Truly I perceive that God SHOWS NO PARTIALITY, but in EVERY NATION ANY ONE WHO FEARS HIM AND DOES WHAT IS RIGHT IS ACCEPTIBLE TO HIM.

Acts10:44-48 While Peter was still saying this, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. And the believers from among the circumcised who came with Peter were amazed, because the GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT had been poured out even on the Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter declared, “Can any one forbid water for baptizing these people who have received the Holy Spirit JUST AS WE HAVE?” And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.

and finally, Peter concludes … Acts 11:17 “If then God gave the SAME GIFT CONFIRMATION ??] to them as he gave to us WHEN WE BELIEVED IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, who was I that I could WITHSTAND GOD?”

---

Do you think this was only a ‘one & done’ event in Church history ? :nope:

Acts 10:34 is the Proof Text thereof … a true seeker, a true believer, who steadfastly petitions God via prayer & alms … is ACCEPTIBLE to God. And, they will receive enlightenment via some avenue that God will arrange …

10:4 … even describes the true seeker’s prayers, meditations, alms as a MEMORIAL unto God. The same word Christ used in regards to the Lord’s Supper !!! So, don’t you see that those who love and honor God via their prayer/meditations, etc …even if outside the Catholic’s Church’s Sacrament of Eucharist … their daily Sacrifice is seen as ACCEPTIBLE before God ?

Now, I could be wrong … but, its hard to argue against God’s WORD, when even our First Pope is giving Testimony to the facts thereof :yyeess:

 

[1ke]

The Church clearly teaches that the sacrament of confirmation imprints a seal (character) and cannot be repeated.

The Church confers the sacrament of Confirmation on those baptized non-Catholics from ecclesial communions lacking holy orders when they seek to enter full communion with the Church. This is because they have NOT received this sacrament.

The Church does NOT confer the Sacrament of Confirmation upon Orthodox and others from true Churches (those with valid holy orders) who seek full communion with the Catholic Church.

Therefore, those from non-Catholic ecclesial communions have NOT received this sacrament.

That is the Church’s teaching on the matter.

 

[brb3]

[Confirmation] … Which you do not receive unless a validly ordained bishop or priest lays hands on you.

Ok …thats the case today in the Church. But, it hasn’t always been so.

Lets look @ Paul’s Confirmation …

Acts 9:10 … Now there was a DISCIPLE at Damascus named Ananias.
Acts 9:15-19 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel; for I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” So Ananias departed and entered the house. And LAYING HIS HANDS on him he said “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came, HAS SENT ME that you may regain your sight and BE FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT.” AND IMMEDIATELY something like scales fell from his eyes and the regained his sight. Then he rose and WAS BAPTIZED, and took food and was strengthened.

Paul’s Confirmation doesn’t fit today’s Norms. God used a disciple here, not Peter, to annoint Saul. And, Paul was Sealed by the Holy Spirit before his water Baptism.
Now, tell us Luke got his facts wrong ? Tell us God can’t go outside the Catholic Norms … when it suits his purposes and plans ?

God can confirm/seal his Protestant faithful today, and DOES. Since these Faithful are outside the Catholic Norms … it [of necessity] is done by ways you aren’t aware of.
Don’t put God in a Box … he is outside time & space. Don’t presume his Protestant faithful aren’t validly Sealed, IN CHRIST … just because it might appear outside the Church’s rulebook. :console:

 

[1ke]

This has gone grossly off topic. I am not going to argue with you anymore. The Church’s teaching regarding Confirmation is clear.

 

[paul_c]

I have a confirmation class and many of them doubt the existence of God and don’t see the necessity of believing in God. What can I say to a group of 14 and 15 year olds that may help them understand why believing in God is necessary? They also doubt the existence of an afterlife.

Thanks and God Bless

Mike,
I feel for you. (And welcome back). I have been teaching confirmation classes for 5 or 6 years now and inevitably, you encounter students with doubts.

There are two facts that I think bear repeating.

1. Students should only be confirmed if they really want to become members of the church. If they do not have this desire, then they won’t receive the graces anyway. I emphasize this to my classes from the very first day and it is repeated often through the course of the class year…
2. The best way to teach them why God is necessary or real is to tell them why YOU believe it. After all, tradition is truly passed down through personal witness by those with credibility. So why do you believe it?

I’ll give you my answers to your questions. I believe that God exists for a number of reasons:

1. Because people I trust have told me so. This includes priests, parents, bishops and popes.
2. Because logic says that there must be a infinitely powerful law giver for the laws of physics to be held universally and that infinite power and understanding is required to create order on a universal scale. Life could never occur randomly because the natural tendency of nature is entropy and life requires energy…
3. Because my senses tell me that there is something that created the beauty around me and gave it order. The sun always rises and sets, after all.
4. Because God calls to every man through their conscience, giving us all a common sense of morality across time and culture.

Add to the list your own answers…

 

[maximus]

I have a confirmation class and many of them doubt the existence of God and don’t see the necessity of believing in God. What can I say to a group of 14 and 15 year olds that may help them understand why believing in God is necessary? They also doubt the existence of an afterlife.

Thanks and God Bless

Unfortunately this is something that happens. I heard almost an identical account from a friend who is a Deacon who was preparing a confirmation class. Many of the kids in his class stated that their public schools teachers had taught and convinced them that there is no God. This is a big danger that Christian children face when they are taught in Public schools.

God Bless

 

[zertech]

I dont know the right aproach but ill tell you how i would aproach them.

I would be honest with them. I would explain in gross details the disgusting lows lack of a relationship with god has brought me, where todays culture has brought me. I would tell them how God changes lives, my life.

I wouldnt degrade their beliefs, from their point of view they probably have good reason to believe what they do. Communicating to them the catholic message and understanding of God and the world is an extremely hard thing to do.
They already have a very hard set image/opinion on what the concept of God means, what Catholics are. the key i think is finding something they do believe in, or have experienced and through that incrementally open up to them a window into spirituality through that which is familiar and nonthreatening.
Also, volunteer. Go to a horrible, poor, downtrodden area that is pretty much formed and defined by the sin which plagues it and volunteer with them. Bring the light of god with you and show them how it can shine through the darkness.
Christianity Experienced, will be much more effective than Christianity Explained.

 

[TraditonRules]

This has gone grossly off topic. I am not going to argue with you anymore. The Church’s teaching regarding Confirmation is clear.

Maybe that is for the best, you are woefully incorrect on this issue.

 

[Gorgias]

So Ananias departed and entered the house. And LAYING HIS HANDS on him he said “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came, HAS SENT ME that you may regain your sight and BE FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT.” AND IMMEDIATELY something like scales fell from his eyes and the regained his sight. Then he rose and WAS BAPTIZED, and took food and was strengthened.

Paul’s Confirmation doesn’t fit today’s Norms. God used a disciple here, not Peter, to annoint Saul. And, Paul was Sealed by the Holy Spirit before his water Baptism.

This is an interesting take on that passage! I have to admit that I’ve never considered it before.

Now, there’s a certain parallelism here: Ananias lays hands so that Paul “might see” and “might be filled of the Holy Spirit”. Yet, the effect of his laying on of hands is that Paul “saw” and… was filled of the Holy Spirit? No, Luke tells us that, after regaining his sight, Paul is baptized. And, of course, Luke tells us that at baptism, Paul is… filled of the Holy Spirit? Well, no. He doesn’t say that, either, just that after being baptized, Paul grabs some food.

So when does the “becoming filled of the Holy Spirit” happen? I think that, rather than asserting that it happens by virtue of Ananias, the text leaves that question open.

Nevertheless, one can also make the argument that, in a Church that hadn’t yet sent bishops to Damascus, God in a way “ordained” Ananias to this single task. However, there’s no assertion in Scripture that, where the apostles (/bishops) are, there are others to whom the laying on of hands falls. Rather, when the apostles hear that there are those who still have not yet been baptized properly or who need the gift of the Holy Spirit, they themselves go running to them! I think that Scripture does more harm to your case than it supports it…

Blessings,

G.

 

[brb3]

Mike,
I feel for you. (And welcome back). I have been teaching confirmation classes for 5 or 6 years now and inevitably, you encounter students with doubts.

There are two facts that I think bear repeating.

1. Students should only be confirmed if they really want to become members of the church. If they do not have this desire, then they won’t receive the graces anyway. I emphasize this to my classes from the very first day and it is repeated often through the course of the class year…
2. The best way to teach them why God is necessary or real is to tell them why YOU believe it. After all, tradition is truly passed down through personal witness by those with credibility. So why do you believe it?

I’ll give you my answers to your questions. I believe that God exists for a number of reasons:

1. Because people I trust have told me so. This includes priests, parents, bishops and popes.
2. Because logic says that there must be a infinitely powerful law giver for the laws of physics to be held universally and that infinite power and understanding is required to create order on a universal scale. Life could never occur randomly because the natural tendency of nature is entropy and life requires energy…
3. Because my senses tell me that there is something that created the beauty around me and gave it order. The sun always rises and sets, after all.
4. Because God calls to every man through their conscience, giving us all a common sense of morality across time and culture.

Add to the list your own answers…

Excellent ideas Paul c

I’ll add a few too

1. Because Love is the highest ethic/emotion/reality in this life. Everyone needs to love and be loved to feel complete, respected, unique, and satisfied emotionally. The Bible defines God as LOVE. John’s Gospel affirms this in scripture from start to finish. Have the students read chapters from John … and meditate on them, and report back what them mean to them. Impress upon them that at their confirmations they will be receiving God’s Supernatural Love in a new and personal way. They will be receiving the Counselor himself, via the abiding H.S. of Father & Son … for all time and eternity to come.

Also … Paul’s Chp. 13 in 1 Corinthians … should be mandatory reading and for all in the class to memorize, and apply to their conscience. Also, selections from the Psalms … those that present the abiding love of God to David, and David’s appreciation to Christ expressed in song … for God’s Love, friendship, and protection via H.S.

1. Also, show them the scriptures in New Testament on Confirmation … where the new Converts/Baptized were SEALED with the H.S. Have them discuss these as a group topic … and ask them [individually in a session with the priest, a week prior to confirmation] to affirm this is what they desire for themselves.
2. Emphasize the Family/Covenantal relationships in Christianity as lived in agape’ love vs the world view of secular relationships. Cover the Trinity, Mary as Mother of our Lord, the Sainthood of Believers, the Church Militant and Triumphant. Let them see that our lives are an ever moving DRAMA — with each year a new ACT, each day a new SCENE. Encourage them to keep a daily diary between now and Confirmation day … recording how their perspectives and ideas are being formed/changed/amended by what they are learning. Impress upon them that those in the class with them will be their life-long brothers/sisters IN CHRIST. Do group social events, after classes … to promote friendship formation and Christian bonding.

 

[brb3]

This is an interesting take on that passage! I have to admit that I’ve never considered it before.

Now, there’s a certain parallelism here: Ananias lays hands so that Paul “might see” and “might be filled of the Holy Spirit”. Yet, the effect of his laying on of hands is that Paul “saw” and… was filled of the Holy Spirit? No, Luke tells us that, after regaining his sight, Paul is baptized. And, of course, Luke tells us that at baptism, Paul is… filled of the Holy Spirit? Well, no. He doesn’t say that, either, just that after being baptized, Paul grabs some food.

So when does the “becoming filled of the Holy Spirit” happen? I think that, rather than asserting that it happens by virtue of Ananias, the text leaves that question open.

Nevertheless, one can also make the argument that, in a Church that hadn’t yet sent bishops to Damascus, God in a way “ordained” Ananias to this single task. However, there’s no assertion in Scripture that, where the apostles (/bishops) are, there are others to whom the laying on of hands falls. Rather, when the apostles hear that there are those who still have not yet been baptized properly or who need the gift of the Holy Spirit, they themselves go running to them! I think that Scripture does more harm to your case than it supports it…

I agree it is not normative. But, it does show, along with the Confirmation of Cornelius and his family, that God is not bound by our current Catholic Norms.

As Catholics, we instinctively know this … we know God doesn’t always have a handy Catholic Bishop on the scene to annoint a Protestant convert with the H.S. And, we also know our Bishops WOULD frown [nay, they would refuse] Confirming a Protestant convert, … unless that Protestant had followed the Catholic rules and was entering the Church via RCIA.

Lets just realize that God in his MYSTERY, gets the job done. He will use a vessel/instrument of his choosing to accomplish his plans … be it an Ananias, a layman believer, or a Dove [that no one sees] sent down by the hand of Christ. The annointing graces from the H.S. occur, and the Sealing in :heaven: is accomplished by supernatural means.

 

[1ke]

1. Students should only be confirmed if they really want to become members of the church. If they do not have this desire, then they won’t receive the graces anyway. I emphasize this to my classes from the very first day and it is repeated often through the course of the class year…

If you are teaching this you need to stop because it is 100% incorrect. Every baptized Catholic is already a member of the Church. Confirmation does NOT make them a member of the Church. It is NOT a decision to be a Catholic. Good grief!!! This is what catechists teach? It is utter nonsense.

Confirmation confirms their baptism. the BISHOP does the confirming, not the student. Every Catholic is obligated to receive confirmation at the call of the bishop.

Please stop repeating something that is totally false, heretical actually.

 

[paul_c]

If you are teaching this you need to stop because it is 100% incorrect. Every baptized Catholic is already a member of the Church. Confirmation does NOT make them a member of the Church. It is NOT a decision to be a Catholic. Good grief!!! This is what catechists teach? It is utter nonsense.

Confirmation confirms their baptism. the BISHOP does the confirming, not the student. Every Catholic is obligated to receive confirmation at the call of the bishop.

Please stop repeating something that is totally false, heretical actually.

Okay, this is a valid discussion. Sure, every baptized person is a member of the Catholic church.

But, What does it mean to you when you say that confirmation confirms their baptism? What if their baptism is not confirmed by the Bishop? And don’t think for a minute that the Bishop can or would confirm someone unwilling to lead the life of a Christian Catholic .

from the catechism:

1319 A candidate for Confirmation who has attained the age of reason must profess the faith, be in the state of grace, have the intention of receiving the sacrament, and be prepared to assume the role of disciple and witness to Christ, both within the ecclesial community and in temporal affairs.

So it is completely proper to tell the candidates that they should not be confirmed if they are unwilling to take on these responsibilities - those of an adult Catholic. While agree with you that a person baptized into the Church IS Catholic, to complete the sacraments of initiation into the church with Confirmation is still a choice that they need to make for themselves and should be presented to them AS a choice.

 

[brb3]

Confirmation confirms their baptism.

What ?.. be more precise here.

Now, regarding what the Church says on the matter. /// Cath. Encyclo.

Defined: A sacrament in which the Holy Ghost is given to those already Baptized IN ORDER TO MAKE THEM STRONG AND PERFECT CHRISTIANS AND SOLDIERS OF JESUS CHRIST. It is NOT NECESSARY FOR SALVATION …
my comment on above… that’s why a baptize infant can/should wait til age of accountability to receive.

Effects: imparts AN INCREASE IN SANCTIFYING GRACE WHICH MAKES THE RECIPIENT A PERFECT CHRISTIAN. … says it marks our character INDELIBLY.

Necessity: OBLIGATORY … to those with UNDERSTANDING and DESIRE to fulfil the Commandments of God and of the Church. It can be refused by a candidate … but, Catholic theologians can’t agree if that would be a mortal or venial sin, unless the candidate disrespects the Sacrament, showing contempt for it … in which case it is most certainly a MORTAL sin.

Candidate: Should be in STATE OF GRACE …

---

Now, … regarding what our Church says above, it is also clear there is much UNCERTAINTY about the DOCTRINE OF CONFIRMATION … based upon the DIVERSITY OF PRACTICE thruout history of the Church. At the time of the Council of Trent, the historical record, practice, and tradition regarding Confirmation were so diverse … that Trent could only define it in brief ways & after much difficult dissention.

1ke …
This is why I tell you that God has intentionally allowed Confirmation to remain a TRUE MYSTERY for us thru-out history. Catholics [and others], have been confirmed in the H.S. by a variety of practices … down thru the ages. For us to think Confirmation only occurs in ONE way … is not borne out via scripture or Christian tradition.

 

[1ke]

Okay, this is a valid discussion. Sure, every baptized person is a member of the Catholic church.

Great then you agree to no longer tell your Confirmation students that Confirmation makes them members of the Church. It does not. Baptism does.

But, What does it mean to you when you say that confirmation confirms their baptism?

Exactly what I said. What is being confirmed in the sacrament of confirmation? The baptismal graces of the one being confirmed. They receive additional graces and the seal of Confirmation. Confirmation completes baptism.

What if their baptism is not confirmed by the Bishop?

The sacraments of initiation remain incomplete.

And don’t think for a minute that the Bishop can or would confirm someone unwilling to lead the life of a Christian Catholic.

He certainly can. Whether or not he “would” depends upon a number of factors. Certainly, if one is not properly prepared to receive the call of the bishop, Confirmation should be delayed.

However, it is a mistake to believe confirmation is somehow optional. It is not. Catholics are obliged to respond to the call of the bishop for confirmation. Parents are resonsible to see that their children come to the sacrament at the proper time, just as they do baptism.

Can.* 890 The faithful are obliged to receive this sacrament at the proper time. Parents and pastors of souls, especially pastors of parishes, are to take care that the faithful are properly instructed to receive the sacrament and come to it at the appropriate time.

from the catechism:

1319 A candidate for Confirmation who has attained the age of reason must profess the faith, be in the state of grace, have the intention of receiving the sacrament, and be prepared to assume the role of disciple and witness to Christ, both within the ecclesial community and in temporal affairs.

For licety, not for validity.

So it is completely proper to tell the candidates that they should not be confirmed if they are unwilling to take on these responsibilities - those of an adult Catholic.

No, it isn’t. It is completely proper to form them in the faith so that they understand their obligation to be confirmed and so that they are ready and willing to answer the Bishop’s call to confirmation. it is NOT at all proper to present confirmation to them as something they can choose or reject. If they are not properly disposed to receive the sacrament, it is the parents’ and pastor’s responsibility to see that they are.

While agree with you that a person baptized into the Church IS Catholic, to complete the sacraments of initiation into the church with Confirmation is still a choice that they need to make for themselves and should be presented to them AS a choice.

Nope. You are completely mistaken.

It is NOT to be presented as a “choice” it is to be presented as what it is: an obligation that they must fulfill through prayer, discernment, and preparation as Catholics. It is NOT a choice to be a Catholic. Please do not do your Confirmandii such a disservice by presenting as such.

 

[1ke]

Now, … regarding what our Church says above,

The Catholic Encyclopedia is NOT a document of the Church and has absolutely no authority. It is good for explaining many things, but it is not doctrinal in nature nor does it have the charism of protection from error that the Magesterium does.

This is why I tell you that God has intentionally allowed Confirmation to remain a TRUE MYSTERY for us thru-out history. Catholics [and others], have been confirmed in the H.S. by a variety of practices … down thru the ages. For us to think Confirmation only occurs in ONE way … is not borne out via scripture or Christian tradition.

You are so far off base.

Again I told you I am not discussing this with you any longer. This is tangential to the OP’s question

 

[paul_c]

Great then you agree to no longer tell your Confirmation students that Confirmation makes them members of the Church. It does not. Baptism does.

Exactly what I said. What is being confirmed in the sacrament of confirmation? The baptismal graces of the one being confirmed. They receive additional graces and the seal of Confirmation. Confirmation completes baptism.

The sacraments of initiation remain incomplete.

He certainly can. Whether or not he “would” depends upon a number of factors. Certainly, if one is not properly prepared to receive the call of the bishop, Confirmation should be delayed.

However, it is a mistake to believe confirmation is somehow optional. It is not. Catholics are obliged to respond to the call of the bishop for confirmation. Parents are resonsible to see that their children come to the sacrament at the proper time, just as they do baptism.

Can.* 890 The faithful are obliged to receive this sacrament at the proper time. Parents and pastors of souls, especially pastors of parishes, are to take care that the faithful are properly instructed to receive the sacrament and come to it at the appropriate time.

For licety, not for validity.

No, it isn’t. It is completely proper to form them in the faith so that they understand their obligation to be confirmed and so that they are ready and willing to answer the Bishop’s call to confirmation. it is NOT at all proper to present confirmation to them as something they can choose or reject. If they are not properly disposed to receive the sacrament, it is the parents’ and pastor’s responsibility to see that they are.

Nope. You are completely mistaken.

It is NOT to be presented as a “choice” it is to be presented as what it is: an obligation that they must fulfill through prayer, discernment, and preparation as Catholics. It is NOT a choice to be a Catholic. Please do not do your Confirmandii such a disservice by presenting as such.

1ke,
I appreciate your point of view but you are missing the point that for any sacrament to be valid and licit, it must be entered into williingly. Have you ever taught a confirmation class? Inevitably, you are confronted with at least some students who will tell you that the only reason they are being confirmed is that they are being coerced by their parents.
It is imperative that you make them understand that entering into the sacrament under this situation would render it invalid and illicit. They need to understand that they need to do this for themselves. Once you explain to them and their parents that the student is engaging in this as an adult decision (which is afterall the reason that this sacrament is delayed until the age of reason), then it can become a productive discussion. I have never had a student choose not to be confirmed, by the way.

Please note canons 885, 889, and 891 point to these facts.

Canon 885 Obligation.
§1. The diocesan bishop is obliged to confirm those who properly and reasonably seek it. §2. A presbyter who possesses this faculty must use it.

Canon 889 Candidates.

§1. Baptized / unconfirmed are capable of receiving confirmation. §2. For liceity, outside the danger of death, the person with the use of reason must be instructed, disposed, and able to renew the baptismal promises.

Canon 891 Age.
Confirmation at the age of discretion unless bishops say otherwise, danger of death, or minister sees grave reason.

As well as catechism paragraph 1319: A candidate for Confirmation who has attained the age of reason must profess the faith, be in the state of grace, have the intention of receiving the sacrament, and be prepared to assume the role of disciple and witness to Christ, both within the ecclesial community and in temporal affairs.