What are the rules and to whom do they apply?

[John_Hiner]

I have a question arising from a series of discussions that I am having with children of various ages about practicing the Faith. I did not want to research this on my own, if someone had the answers at the tip of their tongue.

What are the rules, and to whom do they apply?

By this I mean what formal requirements under Canon Law apply, when, and to whom? For example, how old does one have to be to be required to fast during Ash Wednesday and Good Friday? How old or reception of what Sacraments impose requirements for required Abstinence? Annual Confession? Annual Eucharist? Weekly Mass? Etc.

It is not that these children want to be “minimalist” or “legalist,” however, when preparing to meet an obligation, or exceeding it by generously following the spirit rather than the letter, it is still good to know what the rules are and to whom they apply.

Anyone have a handy list, indexed by age and Sacraments received, maybe with notes of the gravity of the obligation?

Pax Christi nobiscum.

John Hiner

 

[puzzleannie]

I am not sure what rules you want.

Canon Law is the compilation of all laws that pertain to the administration of the Catholic church, conduct and all that relates to those who serve her, ordained and relgious, and the regulations governing sacraments and liturgy. It was last revised in 1983, and has appendices, such as the General Instruction on the Roman Missal, which carry specific rules and regs.

In addition the bishops of each country amend the rules for their jurisdiction, and the bishop of each diocese enacts particular law for the diocese, which applies canon law to their specific circumstances.

Example, Canon Law for the Latin Rite says the age for reception of sacrament of Confirmation and for first communion for baptized Catholics is ordinarily after the age of reason, or catechetical age: 7, up to age 18. The national bishops’ conference may set a specific age or range, and each local bishop my establish a set age for his diocese. When we were in Cleveland it was 8th grade, the Youngstown diocese changed from 11th grade to 8th grade while we were there. The very same year, the Gary diocese, where BIL is a catechist, changed from 8th grade to 11th. Here it is 10th grade. Some bishops, such as in Denver, are restoring the “original order of the sacraments” baptism, confirmation, and then first communion. Go figure. But each bishop knows his flock and decides the optimal age.

Try you diocesan website under Particular Law.

CL It is accessible on the Vatican website but very difficult to search (even if you have the books in front of you). A digest of canon law is available, in fact several, but what you need to know practically is in the particular law for your diocese.

Your diocese published the rules for fast and abstinence at the beginning of Lent (we did it again this week as a reminder for
Good Friday, it is in the daily paper as well), check an old bulletin or the diocesan or parish website.

Or search here for your specific topic, as you know CA members are geniuses and know everything, and we did discuss fast and abstinence, as well as ages for the sacraments in depth recently.

 

[baltobetsy]

Mass obligation begins at the age of reason, around 7. Of course, if parents do not cooperate, the child is not responsible, and there is no obligation. I suppose the Easter Duty (to receive Communion during the time between Ash Wednesday and Trinity Sunday and confess one’s mortal sins once a year) would begin then, too.

Abstinence on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and all the other Fridays of Lent is required beginning at age 14. The obligation does not end at any certain age.

Fasting on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday is required for people between 18 and 60 - actually your 60th birthday is the end.

Hope this helps.

Betsy

 

[jmcrae]

Abstinence on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and all the other Fridays of Lent is required beginning at age 14. The obligation does not end at any certain age.

Don’t forget that either abstinence from warm-blooded meat, or else another suitable penance, is also required on every Friday of the year outside of Lent, as well.

Many people are confused by the “optional penances” outside of Lent, thinking that the entire concept of penance itself has become optional - not so; it’s only that now, we have options of what penances we want to do on those Fridays.

 

[Andreas_Hofer]

Mass obligation begins at the age of reason, around 7. Of course, if parents do not cooperate, the child is not responsible, and there is no obligation. I suppose the Easter Duty (to receive Communion during the time between Ash Wednesday and Trinity Sunday and confess one’s mortal sins once a year) would begin then, too.

The Easter duty to receive Holy Communion begins upon one’s First Holy Communion, even if this is delayed past the age of reason.

 

[jmcrae]

The Easter duty to receive Holy Communion begins upon one’s First Holy Communion, even if this is delayed past the age of reason.

Good point.

Members of the RCIA, for example, who are not being received into the Church this year for whatever reason, do not have any obligation to receive Holy Communion at Easter time, because they have not yet received their First Holy Communion.