Infant baptism/confirmation

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In my tradition we practice “believers baptism” which occurs whenever the individual child realizes his/her need for a Savior and makes a conscious decision to follow Christ. This happens at different ages for different individuals and is referred to as the age of reason or accountability.

With infant baptism I understand the reasoning to be that the infant is brought into the church by baptism and then in order for a walk of faith to be effectual the child must confirm their faith at the age of reason. In your church, does this happen when the individual child realizes they want to confirm or is the more common practice to hold Confirmation at a certain age for all children?
 
Here is some information that might be of some help.

In our Church diocese confirmation usually occures between the ages of 13 to 15.

Here’s some information why from the Catechism:
IV. WhoCanReceive This Sacrament? 1306 Every baptized person not yet confirmed can and should receive the sacrament of Confirmation.123 Since Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist form a unity, it follows that “the faithful are obliged to receive this sacrament at the appropriate time,”124 for without Confirmation and Eucharist, Baptism is certainly valid and efficacious, but Christian initiation remains incomplete. 1307 For centuries, Latin custom has indicated “the age of discretion” as the reference point for receiving Confirmation. But in danger of death children should be confirmed even if they have not yet attained the age of discretion.125 1308 Although Confirmation is sometimes called the “sacrament of Christian maturity,” we must not confuse adult faith with the adult age of natural growth, nor forget that the baptismal grace is a grace of free, unmerited election and does not need “ratification” to become effective. St. Thomas reminds us of this: Age of body does not determine age of soul. Even in childhood man can attain spiritual maturity: as the book of Wisdom says: “For old age is not honored for length of time, or measured by number of years.” Many children, through the strength of the Holy Spirit they have received, have bravely fought for Christ even to the shedding of their blood.126 1309 Preparation for Confirmation should aim at leading the Christian toward a more intimate union with Christ and a more lively familiarity with the Holy Spirit—his actions, his gifts, and his biddings—in order to be more capable of assuming the apostolic responsibilities of Christian life. To this end catechesis for Confirmation should strive to awaken a sense of belonging to the Church of Jesus Christ, the universal Church as well as the parish community. The latter bears special responsibility for the preparation of confirmands.127 1310 To receive Confirmation one must be in a state of grace. One should receive the sacrament of Penance in order to be cleansed for the gift of the Holy Spirit. More intense prayer should prepare one to receive the strength and graces of the Holy Spirit with docility and readiness to act.
1311 Candidates for Confirmation, as for Baptism, fittingly seek the spiritual help of a sponsor. To emphasize the unity of the two sacraments, it is appropriate that this be one of the baptismal godparents.129
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If you have any other questions feel free to ask.

If you want some in depth information on confirmation and why Catholic do what they do it starts on this page:

ccc.usccb.org/flipbooks/catechism/index.html#344

God Bless
 
They must have changed it then because I was confirmed in the 1st or second grade. This was back in the 1950’s though.
 
Wannano said:
In my tradition we practice “believers baptism” which occurs whenever the individual child realizes his/her need for a Savior and makes a conscious decision to follow Christ. This happens at different ages for different individuals and is referred to as the age of reason or accountability.

With infant baptism I understand the reasoning to be that the infant is brought into the church by baptism and then in order for a walk of faith to be effectual the child must confirm their faith at the age of reason. In your church, does this happen when the individual child realizes they want to confirm or is the more common practice to hold Confirmation at a certain age for all children?
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First, the sacrament of Confirmation is *not *defined as the occasion when a child “confirms” his faith for himself. That is a common misconception due to the English transliteration of the Latin word “confirmare” (to strengthen) and due to the delayed age of Confirmation in the West. For convenience, groups of kids are usually confirmed at the same age and the same time (depends on the diocese and parish), but in the Eastern Church it is typically administered at the moment of baptism.

So what is Confirmation? It is a sacrament which completes the grace of baptism, imparting strength to live a Christian life, to walk in the Spirit, and to proclaim the gospel.

It is quite true, however, that at the age of reason (which depends on the individual), a person becomes responsible for their faith. It is also true that when a person is Confirmed in the Roman rite, whether at the age of reason, or as a teenager or adult, they should take more ownership of their faith, since they are receiving grace more completely to live it out.
 
Wannano said:
In my tradition we practice “believers baptism” which occurs whenever the individual child realizes his/her need for a Savior and makes a conscious decision to follow Christ. This happens at different ages for different individuals and is referred to as the age of reason or accountability.
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In my experience growing up in this tradition (non-denom/E-free) there is a separation from when a young person (at the age of reason) accepts Jesus as their savior who forgives their sins, and when they may decide to receive Baptism. I believe this is to diminish both the effectual grace of Baptism and the importance of obeying Christ’s command. Though, their is a counter emphasis placed on preaching and Scriptural study. This has both positive and negative aspects.
With infant baptism I understand the reasoning to be that the infant is brought into the church by baptism and then in order for a walk of faith to be effectual the child must confirm their faith at the age of reason. In your church, does this happen when the individual child realizes they want to confirm or is the more common practice to hold Confirmation at a certain age for all children?
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Confirmation is the “Laying on of hands” to the general priesthood of all members. It is part of the initiation Rites offered to members accepted into the faith. I appreciate Confirmation offered to young adults who have the ability to believe, consent and give thanks to God for His goodness.

I don’t believe Confirmation (or even personal belief) is “in order for Baptism to be effectual”. Baptism is always effectual on God’s part. That is, forgiveness is given and acceptance into the body of Christ is likewise. The necessary growth and flowering of faith is depended on hearing the gospel message and examples of faith.

Can I ask you, what is the purpose of Baptism according to your tradition? And can you provide some Scriptural basis for this tradition?
 
It varies in the Latin Rite. My confirmation program began in my freshman year of high school and was completed in my sophomore year. However, I’ve seen some parishes treat it as more of an elective.

I should mention that Confirmation is not a graduation ceremony, nor does it require any coming of age. Eastern traditions do baptism, confirmation, and first communion for infants all at once, and this is ancient.
 
Traditionally, the order is baptism, confirmation, then communion, and all within the first couple years (but not necessarily all on the same day, because it is also a long standing tradition in the West for the bishop to do confirmations).

That being said, I don’t object to a certain amount of modification away from tradition, but it has really gotten extreme. Heck, in my case I wasn’t confirmed until I was a teenager!
 
Peter_J said:
Traditionally, the order is baptism, confirmation, then communion, and all within the first couple years (but not necessarily all on the same day, because it is also a long standing tradition in the West for the bishop to do confirmations).

That being said, I don’t object to a certain amount of modification away from tradition, but it has really gotten extreme. Heck, in my case I wasn’t confirmed until I was a teenager!
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I am a big supporter of Confirmation after CCD formation. Let them know the gospel they are being Confirmed in. 👍
 
Baptism washes away original sin. I would want that for my child ASAP.
 
Michael68 said:
Baptism washes away original sin. I would want that for my child ASAP.
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… and for atheists too! I think that there is a difference between “atheists can be saved” and “atheists are saved”.

Atheists can do good works that are led by our God given conscience, that lead them to appreciation and acceptance of His Spirit. But an atheist at his/her final state, at the end of their life is rejecting their creator.

I understand that one who has never heard the Gospel, is different than one who has and rejected it. But their is still a free will that believes in what God has shown to them, or denies. A soul that denies God, does not follow their God given conscience.
 
rcwitness said:
… and for atheists too! I think that there is a difference between “atheists can be saved” and “atheists are saved”.

Atheists can do good works that are led by our God given conscience, that lead them to appreciation and acceptance of His Spirit. But an atheist at his/her final state, at the end of their life is rejecting their creator.

I understand that one who has never heard the Gospel, is different than one who has and rejected it. But their is still a free will that believes in what God has shown to them, or denies. A soul that denies God, does not follow their God given conscience.
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I didn’t mention atheists. That’s another thread.
 
In my church it’s done during the high school years, typically the first two years of high school with the sacrament being given in the spring of their 10th grade year. This is set by our diocese. Not all dioceses are the same. In the Diocese of Phoenix, the restored order of the Sacraments of Initiation is set as the standard with Confirmation being given with First Communion in about 3rd grade.

In Mexico Confirmation is given when the bishop shows up and whoever hasn’t been Confirmed and is in communion with the Church can receive it. In the bigger Mexican cities the bishop shows up more often so Confirmation can be done rather quickly. I sometimes help with Confirmation at my church in San Diego and there are teens who will start our two year program and quit to go get it done in Mexico in one weekend.

Also, if the child is not baptized before they are seven years old they must go through a modified RCIA program and will receive all three Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil.

Personally, I prefer the restored order. Or at least lower Confirmation to the 8th grade so Catholic schools can offer the program as their curriculum.
 
mikeeh said:
In my church it’s done during the high school years, typically the first two years of high school with the sacrament being given in the spring of their 10th grade year. This is set by our diocese. Not all dioceses are the same. In the Diocese of Phoenix, the restored order of the Sacraments of Initiation is set as the standard with Confirmation being given with First Communion in about 3rd grade.

In Mexico Confirmation is given when the bishop shows up and whoever hasn’t been Confirmed and is in communion with the Church can receive it. In the bigger Mexican cities the bishop shows up more often so Confirmation can be done rather quickly. I sometimes help with Confirmation at my church in San Diego and there are teens who will start our two year program and quit to go get it done in Mexico in one weekend.

Also, if the child is not baptized before they are seven years old they must go through a modified RCIA program and will receive all three Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil.

Personally, I prefer the restored order. Or at least lower Confirmation to the 8th grade so Catholic schools can offer the program as their curriculum.
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The bolder is a bit surprising, that the Bishops don’t try to respect the candidates own diocese.
 
About the reasoning on restoring the Traditional order, based on Vatican 2 directives and Pope Benedict’s 2007 exhortation Sacramentum Caritatis:
archden.org/saints/
 
rcwitness said:
The bolder is a bit surprising, that the Bishops don’t try to respect the candidates own diocese.
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Hi, RC!
…I think that, as with many short-cutters, these candidates would no doubt present a local address and parish as their home and parish–what is interesting is how their families support such trickery; don’t they know that God is neither impressed nor deceived?

Maran atha!

Angel
 
jcrichton said:
Hi, RC!
…I think that, as with many short-cutters, these candidates would no doubt present a local address and parish as their home and parish–what is interesting is how their families support such trickery; don’t they know that God is neither impressed nor deceived?

Maran atha!

Angel
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It’s an American mentality. We want it now!
 
The original order was baptism, confirmation And Eucharist at once. This practiced is retained by the East, Catholic and non. When bishops began restricting confirmation to themselves, the order needed to be adjusted, in the East, all priests were given faculty to do all the Rites of Initiation… The idea of reason, knowledge, etc all arose later. None of these are essential to the Sacrament
 
SyroMalankara said:
The original order was baptism, confirmation And Eucharist at once. This practiced is retained by the East, Catholic and non. When bishops began restricting confirmation to themselves, the order needed to be adjusted, in the East, all priests were given faculty to do all the Rites of Initiation… The idea of reason, knowledge, etc all arose later. None of these are essential to the Sacrament
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Is this like a Sacrament Alone doctrine? 😉
 
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