I don’t know of anyone who was confirmed in 5th grade at any time except when/if the Sacraments of Initiation are all given “simultaneously” (even in infancy).
The point that you missed is that intellectual understanding is not expected of 4th, 5th, 6th, or even 7th graders. Modest intellectual understanding would be available to a 6th grader, because that’s when his brain is capable of abstraction for the first time. As the Catholic grows intellectually and spiritually, both understanding and appreciation grows. As I mentioned (or implied), that’s even true of adults. Witness the many adult Catholics who testify that since attending some particular seminar, theological series, listening to a series of programs, reading certain material, etc. – they now understand the Mass (or some aspect of the Faith) more fully.
Mass is not catechesis. Mass is celebration, ritual, encounter, and opportunity for grace (in both the Hearing of the Word and the Reception of the Sacrament, within an experience of community which adds a further experiental dimension to it). There is a secondary opportunity for catechesis through the homily (if well done, which many are): that informal catechesis from the presider sometimes involves “only” the application of the scripture readings, and/or feast day signficance, to our everyday practical & spiritual lives. The homily sometimes additionally makes explicit reference to the relationship between some aspect of the Mass (Offertory or Eucharist, for example, or wording of the Mass prayers) to our lives. I’ve heard such informal catechesis being done in live homilies and in EWTN Mass homilies.
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