How can all ccd students be ready for Confirmation at the same time

[1ke]

I do not mean like passing a test. But showing to the Pastor of the Parish that they have enough of a background to make this decision. I guess that I see the Sacrament as a way for a person to choose for themselves if they want to be Catholic. It is the first time since birth that the choice had not been made for them.

Well, see, now that’s not a proper understanding of what the Sacrament of Confirmation is. That’s why I asked. And, that’s why you probably feel some aren’t “ready.”

The Sacrament has nothing to do with “choosing for themselves if they want to be Catholic.”

They are Catholic by virtue of their baptism, and Catholic they will stay until the day they die.

The Bishop confirms. The confirmandi is not confirming anything.

What the bishop *confirms *is the gifts of the Holy Spirit that assist us in being soldiers for Christ. All sacraments confer grace. This one completes Baptism.

A baby can be confirmed, and in the Eastern Rites babies *are *confirmed.
It has nothing to do with making a choice to be Catholic.

 

[1ke]

And if they are not ready to apostalic responsibilities of Christian Life?

This responsibility is ours by virtue of our baptism. There is no “not ready.” The grace of the Sacraments strengthens them in their baptismal responsibility to be priest, prophet, and king. We are all soldiers in the Church Militant. The grace of Confirmation strengthens us. So, those who are “not ready” need it even more.

. Do you not think someone should have proper knowledge prior to taking this step?

No. It’s not a “step” it’s a Sacrament. The purpose of the Sacraments is to confer grace.

 

[jeanne71350]

I must say that one reason for starting this thread is that the Pastor of are Parish just changed Confirmation to 9th grade and the parents are in a total uproar. When confronted with this I just say the Bishop an Father are in charge of the Parish we must do as they will us on this one. Personally I believe a lot of them are ready and should not have to wait just to keep things politically correct at the church.

In our parish we confirm in 11th grade, and they are talking about moving it up to 12th. We have to go through 2 years of classes. Most of the kids in my parish’s confirmation class are Catholic school students, so we have been getting faith educaiton since kindergarten. But honestly, since we have so much religion classes, a lot of my classmates don’t care. They just want to confirm so they can get married in the Church or because their parents are making them.

-Jeanne

 

[Sr_Sally]

Our parish held some students back this year. Oh, my, were the parents angry! But the priests held firm and said, “They aren’t ready.” Good for the priests!

But they should be given the graces that come from confirmation to help them be ready for the difficulties of the teen years and young adulthood. Due to moves, my children were confirmed younger than this diocese normally does (normal is 8th grade). I have found it very helpful to remind them of those gifts they have received and help them draw on that strength as they navigate middle school and high school. I am so happy that they were blest in that way.

 

[FK04US]

I get the point about receiving grace from the sacrament.However, I can say from my experience that most of my more committed Catholic friends are those who were confirmed in their late teens. I’ve heard several times: I got confirmed because my parents made me to, I did not have a say, I wish I had waited and reflected more on the faith. On the other side, the ones confirmed later always say I am so grateful that I was not forced to get confirmed early on and had the opportunity to reflect on the grace of the sacrament by myself and not only being confirmed by a bishop but also confirm that I do want to be a Catholic for the rest of my life.

I don’t see a clear winner, but based on my generation experience I can see the benefits of being a grown up and decide by ourselves to be confirmed in our faith.