Sacraments of Initiation

[jwhafey]

My brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus,

OK, so this has been bothering me for a while. The sacraments of institution (Baptism, Confirmation, and First Communion) are spread out through the development of a child’s life. Generally Baptism as an infant, reception of the Eucharist at the age of reason, and Confirmation in either middle or high school.

I think that this should not be the case. I believe that all three should take place at infancy and all on the same day. Here’s why:

1. CONFIRMATION - Confirmation is widely misinterpreted as being a “coming to age” ceremony or a stage in one’s life where the person “chooses” his faith. This is a complete misinterpretation. Confirmation is neither of these things, because if it were these things, it would not be a sacrament. When one believes that the sacrament of Confirmation is a “coming to age ceremony” or is a time for a person to “choose his faith,” one believes that it is the PERSON who is getting confirmed who is the primary agent in the sacrament. The agent at work in the sacrament of Confirmation is the Holy Spirit through Christ’s body. It is at his Confirmation when the baptized receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Confirmation is sort of like a “completion” or “continuation” of baptismal graces. Also, a person “chooses” his faith every single day of his life. Believing that Confirmation is simple a Sacrament in which he “chooses” his faith, it would be nearly equivalent to a Protestant’s “believer baptism.”
2. THE EUCHARIST - One reason why a lot of people say that children should not receive the Eucharist before the age of reason is because of what St. Paul says in his first epistle to the Corinthians, “Let a man examine himself, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For any one who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment upon himself,” (1 Cor 11:28-29). The Eucharist should be devoured devoutly, and I certainly do not oppose this. But I respond to those who quote me this line of St. Paul who believe that children should not consume the Eucharist before the age of reason, I respond with what St. Paul says one verse earlier, “Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of profaning the body and blood of the Lord,” (1 Cor 11:27). Children before the age of reason can hardly be accused of actually sinning against God, for they know not what they do. They do not oppose God knowingly. They cannot be considered unworthy of receiving of the Eucharist because they have sinned. One may respond, “but they still do not know what it is that is happening.” Well in that case, I respond, “neither did they know what was happening during their baptism.” Besides, Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs,” (Matthew 19:14). He says, “Let the little children come to ME.” He invites the little children to His Body, and His Body is the Eucharist.

 

[ClearWater]

My brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus,

OK, so this has been bothering me for a while. The sacraments of institution (Baptism, Confirmation, and First Communion) are spread out through the development of a child’s life. Generally Baptism as an infant, reception of the Eucharist at the age of reason, and Confirmation in either middle or high school.

I think that this should not be the case. I believe that all three should take place at infancy and all on the same day. Here’s why:

1. CONFIRMATION - Confirmation is widely misinterpreted as being a “coming to age” ceremony or a stage in one’s life where the person “chooses” his faith. This is a complete misinterpretation. Confirmation is neither of these things, because if it were these things, it would not be a sacrament. When one believes that the sacrament of Confirmation is a “coming to age ceremony” or is a time for a person to “choose his faith,” one believes that it is the PERSON who is getting confirmed who is the primary agent in the sacrament. The agent at work in the sacrament of Confirmation is the Holy Spirit through Christ’s body. It is at his Confirmation when the baptized receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Confirmation is sort of like a “completion” or “continuation” of baptismal graces. Also, a person “chooses” his faith every single day of his life. Believing that Confirmation is simple a Sacrament in which he “chooses” his faith, it would be nearly equivalent to a Protestant’s “believer baptism.”
2. THE EUCHARIST - One reason why a lot of people say that children should not receive the Eucharist before the age of reason is because of what St. Paul says in his first epistle to the Corinthians, “Let a man examine himself, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For any one who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment upon himself,” (1 Cor 11:28-29). The Eucharist should be devoured devoutly, and I certainly do not oppose this. But I respond to those who quote me this line of St. Paul who believe that children should not consume the Eucharist before the age of reason, I respond with what St. Paul says one verse earlier, “Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of profaning the body and blood of the Lord,” (1 Cor 11:27). Children before the age of reason can hardly be accused of actually sinning against God, for they know not what they do. They do not oppose God knowingly. They cannot be considered unworthy of receiving of the Eucharist because they have sinned. One may respond, “but they still do not know what it is that is happening.” Well in that case, I respond, “neither did they know what was happening during their baptism.” Besides, Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs,” (Matthew 19:14). He says, “Let the little children come to ME.” He invites the little children to His Body, and His Body is the Eucharist.

Well, I thought we had our baptismal promises, but when we are infants, we are unable to understand them. We must reach an age where we can comprehend them, first, to be confirmed.

As to the Eucharist, receiving the Eucharist requires we be of age to go to confession, first. Well, we need to be free of mortal sin. We need to know how, if we commit a mortal sin, to confess…be able to understand what a mortal sin is, even, so as not to receive unworthily. It’s different from baptism of an infant and should be.

The little children can come to God, through Baptism, but they need to study and learn, have their minds develop to a point where they can understand what the significance of the Eucharist, so as not to think it’s just a cookie, say.

I think the Church has it well established, and has this well organized as to when and how to best receive the sacraments.

 

[TRH1292]

Well, I thought we had our baptismal promises, but when we are infants, we are unable to understand them. We must reach an age where we can comprehend them, first, to be confirmed.

As to the Eucharist, receiving the Eucharist requires we be of age to go to confession, first. Well, we need to be free of mortal sin. We need to know how, if we commit a mortal sin, to confess…be able to understand what a mortal sin is, even, so as not to receive unworthily. It’s different from baptism of an infant and should be.

The little children can come to God, through Baptism, but they need to study and learn, have their minds develop to a point where they can understand what the significance of the Eucharist, so as not to think it’s just a cookie, say.

I think the Church has it well established, and has this well organized as to when and how to best receive the sacraments.

The Church has no teaching of that regard, and it is not the teaching of the Catholic Church that the sacraments have to be either spread out or administered together. Infants who receive confirmation and the Eucharist do not receive them in an unworthy manner, or it would not be permitted to take place.
It is the custom and tradition of the Latin/Roman Catholic Church to administer Baptism at birth, but wait until a later age to administer Confirmation and First communion. It is the custom and tradition of the Eastern Catholic Church’s(As well as the Orthodox Church’s) to administer Baptism, Confirmation, and First Eucharist to the infant.

The Catholic Church allows for both of these, in the customs of the different liturgy. The only definite teaching that binds all is that Baptism is to be administered to infants.

 

[TRH1292]

In addition, the age of Confirmation can vary widely within the Roman Catholic Church itself.

 

[paperwight66]

In addition, the age of Confirmation can vary widely within the Roman Catholic Church itself.

Indeed. In our Archdiocese, First Holy Communion and Confirmation take place at the same ceremony, when the children are about 8.

This practice was introduced only a few years ago. Not all Catechists and parents are happy with it.

 

[DeusSalusNostra]

I know that before Vatican II, in Scotland children would receive the Sacraments of Penance, the Eucharist and Confirmation all at once from the Bishop when they were 5 years old.

 

[Karen107]

Hi,…Confirmation seals our baptism. Jesus never takes us unwillingly and it says in the scriptures we have to be baptized and believe to be saved. So the thought of receiving all three sacraments without having the clear understanding that a person is dedicating their ENTIRE life to Christ and the Church, would be wrong and as I see it that’s a good reason why a person would put off confirmation, in order that they learn more about what they are getting into for their entire life. It must be a choice to accept God in a persons life, because God doesn’t force Himself on anyone.

Believing is an important element here and being baptized give a child an ‘borrowed faith’ from their parents, but confirmation makes the faith their ‘owned faith’ for the rest of their life. At the age of 6 or 8 it might be considered their borrowed faith still.

Mark 16:16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not ‘believe’ will be condemned.

 

[Karen107]

Indeed. In our Archdiocese, First Holy Communion and Confirmation take place at the same ceremony, when the children are about 8.

This practice was introduced only a few years ago. Not all Catechists and parents are happy with it.

Especially considering how many people are out there who had confirmations from 7th grade and up who don’t remember much about it. Preparation time for confirmation is very important, not to be taken lightly.

 

[Zekariya]

Hi,…Confirmation seals our baptism. Jesus never takes us unwillingly and it says in the scriptures we have to be baptized and believe to be saved. So the thought of receiving all three sacraments without having the clear understanding that a person is dedicating their ENTIRE life to Christ and the Church, would be wrong and as I see it that’s a good reason why a person would put off confirmation, in order that they learn more about what they are getting into for their entire life. It must be a choice to accept God in a persons life, because God doesn’t force Himself on anyone.

Believing is an important element here and being baptized give a child an ‘borrowed faith’ from their parents, but confirmation makes the faith their ‘own’ for the rest of their life.

Mark 16:16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.

What you have stated is wrong because Church tradition has always allowed infants to be baptized, confirmed, and communed all at once. Pope St Leo and St Augustine speaks of this practice as a matter of fact. The Eastern Catholic Churches still practice it this way. You condemn the Eastern half of the Church and the Early Church Fathers. Both practices are permitted.

 

[Karen107]

The little children can come to God, through Baptism, but they need to study and learn, have their minds develop to a point where they can understand what the significance of the Eucharist, so as not to think it’s just a cookie, say.
.

Exactly there are children who have had their first communion and still don’t know what it means to receive the Body and Blood of Christ. This has to be reinforced by continually teaching them about it and not taken for granted that they know because they are receiving it.

 

[Karen107]

What you have stated is wrong because Church tradition has always allowed infants to be baptized, confirmed, and communed all at once. Pope St Leo and St Augustine speaks of this practice as a matter of fact. The Eastern Catholic Churches still practice it this way. You condemn the Eastern half of the Church and the Early Church Fathers. Both practices are permitted.

Whether it is permitted does not mean it is wise especially since modern day cultures don’t reinforce all Catholic teaching on this and people fall away when they don’t really understand what they have recieved. At least that’s my view on it.

I did not condemn any Eastern half of the Church or the Early Church Fathers by the way, but I don’t live in those times or places either. We are the church also.

 

[Zekariya]

Whether it is permitted does not mean it is wise especially since modern day cultures don’t reinforce all Catholic teaching on this and people fall away when they don’t really understand what they have recieved. At least that’s my view on it.

Poor catechisis has nothing to do with the reception of the Sacraments. Many Roman Catholics fall away from the faith even thought they were confirmed as teenagers. The Early Church (East and West) uniminously practiced infant confirmation and infant communion. Poor catechisis and relativism is the problem not the Sacraments.

I do not condemn the Western practice and would appreciate your not condemning the Eastern practice as obsolete and unwise.

 

[Karen107]

Poor catechisis has nothing to do with the reception of the Sacraments. Many Roman Catholics fall away from the faith even thought they were confirmed as teenagers. The Early Church (East and West) uniminously practiced infant confirmation and infant communion. Poor catechisis and relativism is the problem not the Sacraments.

I do not condemn the Western practice and would appreciate your not condemning the Eastern practice as obsolete and unwise.

I would appreciate you not using the term condemning at all. I don’t use that kind of language. What is good for you may not be good for everyone is what I am saying. .

Relativism is a problem, when parents aren’t teaching what they should be teaching and leave it up to the catechists to teach what the parents dont. A person should not receive the sacrament of confirmation unless they have full understanding of what it is about. It’s a learning process for the child, the parent and the sponsor here so it helps people from falling away. As you said, it is a allowable choice of when it is done.

 

[Zekariya]

I would appreciate you not using the term condemning at all. I don’t use that kind of language. What is good for you may not be good for everyone is what I am saying. .

Fine, stop denouncing.

You said: “receiving all three sacraments without having the clear understanding that a person is dedicating their ENTIRE life to Christ and the Church, would be wrong…” This does not sound like “what is good for some is not good for all.”

[bold and underline is mine]

 

[Karen107]

Fine, stop denouncing.

You said: “receiving all three sacraments without having the clear understanding that a person is dedicating their ENTIRE life to Christ and the Church, would be wrong…” This does not sound like “what is good for some is not good for all.”

[bold and underline is mine]

I ask you to quote me correctly…

would be wrong and** as I see it that’s a good reason why a person would put off confirmation**

You’ve left the entire content of my statement off there.

We must also believe and be baptized…I assume your confirmands all believe and is not being confirmed because their parents direct them to do it?

 

[jwhafey]

Like I said earlier, people choose their faith ever day, not just at confirmation. If you say that infants should not be confirmed because they cannot comprehend what is happening, what about those with mental retardation or any other ailment that will not allow them to understand what is going on? The same goes for the Eucharist. We do not deny the Eucharist with those with any mental ailment, so we should not deny it to infants. Just as Baptism is valid during infancy, Confirmation and the Eucharist are valid as well at infancy.

When we do not allow small children to be Confirmed or to receive the Eucharist, we are denying them graces. Grace does not require good catechesis. A person with good catechesis with a poor disposition is less worthy than a person with poor catechesis with a good disposition to receive the sacraments. But know that I am not denying utmost importance of catechesis and the need for proper knowledge of the faith. I am probably one of the strongest supporters of good and proper catechesis you will find on this side of the Mississippi (east side).

For adults, however, who are converts (like myself), they should be required to have proper catechesis before Confirmation and first reception of the Eucharist. Adults are completely conscious of their thoughts, words, and deeds, unlike infants, and therefore can have a poor disposition to receive the Sacraments, unlike infants.

 

[Karen107]

The clue here is in your post.

Why do we need the sacrament of Confirmation at all? We are confirming what we believe in, so it is more than just receiving the grace of the sacrament. IN fact we receive grace outside of the sacraments as well. Grace is given freely. We are accepting that grace because of our beliefs. Some know so much by the age of 8, but many do not understand. I believe that’s why it’s pushed back.

 

[Zekariya]

I ask you to quote me correctly…

You’ve left the entire content of my statement off there.

We must also believe and be baptized…I assume your confirmands all believe and is not being confirmed because their parents direct them to do it?

So you are saying that it would be right to receive all three Sacrament without understanding them (ie infants)? I am in agreement with you. I must have misunderstood you earlier.

Confirmation is not historically about confirming one’ Faith. Infants who are close to death are confirmed in the West because confirmation is an important Sacrament.

CCC III. The Effects of Confirmation

1302 It is evident from its celebration that the effect of the sacrament of Confirmation is the special outpouring of the Holy Spirit as once granted to the apostles on the day of Pentecost.

From this fact, Confirmation brings an increase and deepening of baptismal grace:
—it roots us more deeply in the divine filiation which makes us cry, “Abba! Father!”;
—it unites us more firmly to Christ;
—it increases the gifts of the Holy Spirit in us;
—it renders our bond with the Church more perfect;
—it gives us a special strength of the Holy Spirit to spread and defend the faith by word and action as true witnesses of Christ, to confess the name of Christ boldly, and never to be ashamed of the Cross: Recall then that you have received the spiritual seal, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of right judgment and courage, the spirit of knowledge and reverence, the spirit of holy fear in God’s presence. Guard what you have received. God the Father has marked you with his sign; Christ the Lord has confirmed you and has placed his pledge, the Spirit, in your hearts.

Doctor of the Church, St Cyril of Jerusalem speaking on the importance of Confirmation (aka Chrismation):

1. But beware of supposing this to be plain ointment. For as the Bread of the Eucharist, after the invocation of the Holy Ghost, is mere bread no longer , but the Body of Christ, so also this holy ointment is no more simple ointment, nor (so to say) common, after invocation, but it is Christ’s gift of grace, and, by the advent of the Holy Ghost, is made fit to impart His Divine Nature. Which ointment is symbolically applied to your forehead and your other senses; and while your body is anointed with the visible ointment, your soul is sanctified by the Holy and life-giving Spirit.

 

[jwhafey]

We are confirming what we believe in, so it is more than just receiving the grace of the sacrament.

The sacrament is valid to whomever receives it. But it is one’s disposition that matters the most. Many teenagers who are confirmed don’t even know quite what confirmation is, and are not confirmed because they want to be confirmed, but are confirmed because they are told that they need to be. I have no doubt in my mind that an infants disposition could definitely be way better than the average teenager’s.
The sacraments are ALL about receiving graces. That is what they are here for. The sacraments are sensible signs instituted by Christ that are efficacious (brings about what they signify). It is false to believe that Confirmation is a sacrament in which a person chooses/confirms their faith. If there were any such sacrament, the closest one would be baptism, wouldn’t it?

 

[Zekariya]

I agree that those who are past the age of reason need to be catechized before the reception of the Sacraments. I was only speaking of infants as needing no teaching prior to their reception.