Order of Confirmation and first Communion

[alculver]

I am a recent convert who has a friend that is a nominal Catholic. Unfortunately she herself was catechised to be a cafeteria Catholic. So, when I mention things to her about The Church she often replies with very un-informed opinions. A perfect example is that she and her husband used to teach a section in their parish’s RCIA course. They taught students that birth control was a matter of each person’s consience - and yes, they used artifical contraception themselves (the pill) and then later were both sterilized. Not suprisingly, they are now in the process of a divorce. I tell you this to try and give a quick picture.

Anyway, I am awaiting an annulment to come into The Church. I am supposed to get news on my ratification (court of 2nd decision) Tuesday (Praise God!). I shared this news with her and was commenting on the fact that I have to be confirmed before receiving first communion. The conversation led to the fact that it was my understanding that this was the case with children as well. Now, I really am only informed on what needs to happen in my particular case. As I have no young children myself, I’m just not educated on the the order and process regarding the sacraments for them - I have no need to be and that is what I told her. I did say that it was my understanding that this is the way it was supposed to be for some time (since Vatican II?) but that the dioceses are just now “catching up”.

I also told her it had to do with the fact that many parents get their children to first communion and stop the religion education - that this was a way to get them further in their RE.

Now, I could have this all mixed up and I did tell her that, but now I’m wanting to understand it, if nothing else to just be able to explain it to my friend and to anyone else that might have the same question.

So, my question, then, is: For children brought up in the church (cradle Catholics) - what is the prescribed order and ages for receiving the sacraments. And, if possible can I get a bit of the reasoning for the way it is done.

Thank you so very much for your help.

Amy

 

[marleelynn]

If a child was baptized as an infant and brought up in the Cathoic Church, first communion usually happens in the second grade (age 7) or above. Confirmation varies per each individial parish. Here in the Archdiocese of Baltimore confirmation can happen as early as 8th grade or as late or 10th grade.

 

[John_Lilburne]

I find it a difficult question to answer simply. This information may help.

From the pope’s 2007 POST-SYNODAL APOSTOLIC EXHORTATION SACRAMENTUM CARITATIS at vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/apost_exhortations/documents/hf_ben-xvi_exh_20070222_sacramentum-caritatis_en.html :

"The order of the sacraments of initiation

1. In this regard, attention needs to be paid to the order of the sacraments of initiation. Different traditions exist within the Church. There is a clear variation between, on the one hand, the ecclesial customs of the East (50) and the practice of the West regarding the initiation of adults, (51) and, on the other hand, the procedure adopted for children. (52) Yet these variations are not properly of the dogmatic order, but are pastoral in character. Concretely, it needs to be seen which practice better enables the faithful to put the sacrament of the Eucharist at the centre, as the goal of the whole process of initiation. In close collaboration with the competent offices of the Roman Curia, Bishops’ Conferences should examine the effectiveness of current approaches to Christian initiation, so that the faithful can be helped both to mature through the formation received in our communities and to give their lives an authentically eucharistic direction, so that they can offer a reason for the hope within them in a way suited to our times (cf. 1 Pet 3:15)."

Footnotes: "(50) Cf. Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches, can. 710.

(51) Cf. Rite of the Christian Initiation of Adults, General Introduction, 34-36.

(52) Cf. Rite of Baptism for Children, Introduction, 18-19."

It is difficult to make sense of footnote 52 based on the 1969 edition (which can be found as a PDF document at liturgyoffice.org.uk/Resources/Rites/Baptism-Children.pdf ). So I suspect that there is a new 2003 (second) edition, the Latin book being available for purchase at paxbook.com/algorithmiS/servusPrimus?iussum=monstraScriptumEditum&numerus=1228 . I have not seen an English translation (or the Latin edition) of this book. ICEL only has copyright listed for the 1969 edition at icelweb.org/copyrightICEL.htm .

 

[Phemie]

I am a recent convert who has a friend that is a nominal Catholic. Unfortunately she herself was catechised to be a cafeteria Catholic. So, when I mention things to her about The Church she often replies with very un-informed opinions. A perfect example is that she and her husband used to teach a section in their parish’s RCIA course. They taught students that birth control was a matter of each person’s consience - and yes, they used artifical contraception themselves (the pill) and then later were both sterilized. Not suprisingly, they are now in the process of a divorce. I tell you this to try and give a quick picture.

Anyway, I am awaiting an annulment to come into The Church. I am supposed to get news on my ratification (court of 2nd decision) Tuesday (Praise God!). I shared this news with her and was commenting on the fact that I have to be confirmed before receiving first communion. The conversation led to the fact that it was my understanding that this was the case with children as well. Now, I really am only informed on what needs to happen in my particular case. As I have no young children myself, I’m just not educated on the the order and process regarding the sacraments for them - I have no need to be and that is what I told her. I did say that it was my understanding that this is the way it was supposed to be for some time (since Vatican II?) but that the dioceses are just now “catching up”.

I also told her it had to do with the fact that many parents get their children to first communion and stop the religion education - that this was a way to get them further in their RE.

Now, I could have this all mixed up and I did tell her that, but now I’m wanting to understand it, if nothing else to just be able to explain it to my friend and to anyone else that might have the same question.

So, my question, then, is: For children brought up in the church (cradle Catholics) - what is the prescribed order and ages for receiving the sacraments. And, if possible can I get a bit of the reasoning for the way it is done.

Thank you so very much for your help.

Amy

The natural order for the sacraments of initiation is Baptism, Confirmation, Communion, making Communion the culmination of our initiation as we see it in RCIA. That’s the way it was for centuries,with Confirmation & Communion happening later than we see it today. Often it didn’t happen until the teens or even adulthood.

In 1910, Pope Pius X decreed that children could receive Communion at a much earlier age. This resulted in a toppling of the order so that Communion was now often received before Confirmation. Even so, once children had received First Communion, Confirmation usually followed the next time the Bishop visited. I was 6 when I made my first Communion and 7 when I was confirmed, back in 1960.

In the 70s & 80s Confirmation started getting pushed back to keep the kids in religious ed. Canon Law says Confirmation can be at the age of reason which is usually understood to mean 7. Communion can be at any age where a child knows the difference between the consecrated bread and other bread and can receive reverently. I’ve known 5 & 6 year olds to meet that criteria. I’ve

 

[puzzleannie]

see this ongoing thread on the order of the sacraments of initiation

No, a person does not have absolutely have to be confirmed in order to receive first communion, but a baptized non-Catholic does have to formally be received into full communion with the Catholic Church before being admitted to the Eucharist. That is accomplished through a profession of faith and confirmation, although theoretically it could happen with profession of faith only, but I can’t think of a circumstance off hand where that would happen.

Catholic youth generally celebrate first communion sometime before confirmation, but at the other thread shows that is not a universal law.

If your friend is teaching RCIA and passing on wrong information the pastor should be informed.

 

[alculver]

Thanks for the reply. I’m not seeing a link to another thread, though.

 

[John_Lilburne]

… So I suspect that there is a new 2003 (second) edition, the Latin book being available for purchase at paxbook.com/algorithmiS/servusPrimus?iussum=monstraScriptumEditum&numerus=1228 . … .

There is a reference to the Second edition being a 1986 publication, with “Ordo baptismi parvulorum, editio typica altera. 1986, nova impressio 2003” at danielvanslyke.com/Kenrick/Baptism&ConfirmationBibliography.htm . The 2003 edition is just a new version of the same 1986 second edition.

 

[rick43235]

I am a recent convert who has a friend that is a nominal Catholic. Unfortunately she herself was catechised to be a cafeteria Catholic.

You’re a “recent convert” and you’re already throwing around terms like “cafeteria Catholic?” I’m sure you’ll feel right at home at CAF. You’ll find lots of like-minded folks here.

 

[Texas_Roofer]

FYI

Can. 891 The sacrament of confirmation is to be conferred on the faithful at about the age of discretion unless the conference of bishops has determined another age, or there is danger of death, or in the judgment of the minister a grave cause suggests otherwise.

For some adults this canon comes into play

Can. 866 Unless there is a grave reason to the contrary, an adult who is baptized is to be confirmed immediately after baptism and is to participate in the eucharistic celebration also by receiving communion

These are the primary guides

 

[Cluny]

If a child was baptized as an infant and brought up in the Cathoic Church, first communion usually happens in the second grade (age 7) or above. Confirmation varies per each individial parish. Here in the Archdiocese of Baltimore confirmation can happen as early as 8th grade or as late or 10th grade.

Ummmm…

This should read, “If a child was baptized as an infant and brought up in the LATIN Church…”

Eastern Catholics are confirmed immediately after baptism and brought to Communion henceforth, even as infants.

 

[Tracy24]

My daughter is 7(grade 2) and just received her first Communion a few weeks ago. In our Diocese, Confirmation happens when the kids hit grade 7(age 12-13).

 

[alculver]

see
If your friend is teaching RCIA and passing on wrong information the pastor should be informed.

She is no longer teaching RCIA and I think that she is also at a different parish than when she was teaching. I honestly cannot figure out if she was the most poorly catechised person ever, if she just didn’t listen (or want to listen) to what she was taught in the first place or if she just doesn’t want to believe it anymore. I look at things like Notre Dame and I know she certainly isn’t the only one who has no idea what The Church actually teaches. It makes me sad.

 

[alculver]

You’re a “recent convert” and you’re already throwing around terms like “cafeteria Catholic?” I’m sure you’ll feel right at home at CAF. You’ll find lots of like-minded folks here.

Well, I guess “recent” is a little relative. I’m not a cradle Catholic and I’m not actually in The Church yet due to the annulment. But I’ve been in the process for over two years now. I am hoping to come in by the end of June! I started RCIA around the beginning of 2007 and finished the actual classes in 2008. God was gracious to me. I ended up in a parish with excellent catechists that are not the least bit afraid to teach the Truth. I have also spent much time with EWTN and consider Mother Angelica and the others a real part of my catechism team.

I praise God that I have been able to learn what The Chuch truly teaches and that He has allowed me to have an open heart to receive it.

My most fervent prayer is that once I am finally able to receive the Sacraments that I will never, ever take them for granted.