When should we be confirmed?

[BayCityRickL]

For the poll, I answered “in high school.”

After skimming the replies, I’d say “in high school” or when a program of preparation has been completed.

Recall, the Holy Spirit descended on the apostles and disciples some weeks after Jesus had ascended into heaven. God sent the Holy Spirit, but only, let’s say, in His own time.

I think the sacrament should be as voluntary as possible, and it should be administered individually, and not en masse as is a common custom. I think it’s always administered in a public fashion, and to that extent, I think the person being confirmed should – but this is strictly an option – say something like reading the Magnificat from scripture or reading something especially important from scripture, like the ten commandments or Ezekiel 36. Such a proclamation would be inspirational for observers and would be edifying for the person being confirmed – and a sign of the indwelling of the Spirit.

 

[cmom]

Just in case you didn’t know, any child in danger of death can be confirmed early, no matter what the regular age in your diocese is.
My nephew was confirmed at age 8 because he has leukemia.

 

[Illini]

I selected “middle school.” I was confirmed in 8th grade at my Catholic grade school.

 While I am intrigued by the idea that age seven is appropriate, I think junior high is the best time. This offers an opportunity for more advanced catechetics, explaining concepts that a seven-year old won't understand. A seventh grader, however, can understand the *Catechism* with help from the teacher. And Confirmation prepares one for the challenging years of high school. Waiting until high school may make it too late; as young people move off into their lives (most don't go to Catholic high schools), they might just forget about confirmation and never get confirmed!

 I would prefer 7th grade over 8th grade, though. Confirmation shouldn't be confused with graduation or a "rite of passage." Although, like graduation, it is a beginning, not an end.

-Illini

 

[Illini]

asquared:

St. Paul was aghast to find some who had received baptism without the Holy Spirit (confirmation) and wasted no time completing their initiation. They didn’t have to sit through any stupid Lifeteen liturgies or games to qualify, either.

 Do you have a citation for this? I would like to read this specific reference to Confirmation. Thanks.

-Illini

 

[a_pilgrim]

Illini:

Do you have a citation for this? I would like to read this specific reference to Confirmation. Thanks.

-Illini

Illini,

Don’t know if this is the specific reference that asquared had in mind, but Acts 19:1-7 seems to confirm the point.

a pilgrim

 

[KCT]

karisue:

If I understand correctly, confirmation is the Holy Spirit confirming us, not us confirming our faith.

I think that’s part of the problem–lack of understanding of the sacrament. Too many parishes teach that the kids are “confirming their faith” therefore have to be old enough to understand it and make the decision to be Catholic for themselves (someone spoke for them at Baptism, now they speak for themselves). If 8 yr olds can receive Communion- something we can never fully understand- then kids can be confirmed younger than high school. —KCT

 

[JohnTherese]

Follow the Byzantines. This is the way it was intended by God. This “age of reason” stuff is a protestant innovation. Read the posts of Thomist. He makes all kinds of sense. Depriving children of the grace of this sacrament is a deceit the devil wants us to fall into. Bring your babies for baptism, confirmation, and Eucharist, as soon as possible. I feel strongly about this, if you haven’t noticed.

 

[pippin]

spetreopn:

To keep the kids in classes both the children and their parents need to be better informed about their faith.

Secondly, if the parents do not value their Faith, then chances are that their children will not either. Parishes need to spend more time educating the adults on the truths of the Faith.

I agree. In our parish we confirm in 9th grade. Parents are required to classes with the children. Also, our relgious education program is for all ages. Parents of grade school children are required to attend with their children.

BTW, I was confirmed at nine years old and barely remember it.

 

[puzzleannie]

karisue:

As a youth minister in a parish that confirms 8th graders, I have a hard time getting kids to get active in the parish b/c they are already confirmed and therefore have no motivation to do so. If we confirm at any age other than the end of the senior year in high school, how do we keep kids involved after their confirmation? Good catechesis is important, but we can’t even seem to get them in the door!

as a DRE I deeply sympathize, as the Walrus said, but I respectfully submit that if the kids do not want to be active in our programs, it is time for us to examine, criticize, reform and rethink our programs. the fallacy in this thinking is that by the time they get to be 16 or 17 they will still be in your class, when in actual practice you lose more each year, for many reasons.

If we truly believed in the theology of confirmation it would cease to be separated from baptism, we would follow the RCIA model as the catechetical documents call for, and bishops would delegate the priests to confirm and baptize at the same time, as is done at the Easter vigil. Then our teens would have the benefit of the gifts of the Holy Spirit when they need it most.

 

[KCT]

Whenever our Bishops say so! If it were up to me, it would certainly happen before entering high school. I think we need the grace of the sacrament before that! —KCT

 

[GregoryPalamas]

karisue:

If I understand correctly, confirmation is the Holy Spirit confirming us, not us confirming our faith. Therefore, I’d go for immediately after baptism, in infancy.

I completely agree.

Dan L

 

[Exporter]

During my long life the children who attended The Parochial schools were confirmed in the 3rd grade.(age 9 )

Confirmation has to come after Baptism. Now-a days, adult converts are Baptised and Confirmed on the very same day.

I was confirmed at age 32. In the same service as one of my boys.

 

[FenianMan]

m trent

puzzleannie:

as a DRE I deeply sympathize, as the Walrus said, but I respectfully submit that if the kids do not want to be active in our programs, it is time for us to examine, criticize, reform and rethink our programs. the fallacy in this thinking is that by the time they get to be 16 or 17 they will still be in your class, when in actual practice you lose more each year, for many reasons.

We can’t use the sacraments as a bargaining chip. If our catechesis is so poor that people will leave, then we oughtn’t withould the sacraments, we ought to just let them leave. Using Confirmation as a carrot to get kids involved just regurgitates all this “adult in the Church” garbage. That language isn’t found in any official documents, and it shouldn’t be because it’s sloppy. What does that mean, that if an adult somehow misses Confirmation and isn’t confirmed until he’s thirty that he’s been a “child in the Church”? No, of course not. He’s clearly not a child, in the Church or outside of it. He’s just as clearly lacking in sacramental grace, but that doesn’t therefore make him some sort of ecclesiastical toddler. There is simply no way to do confirmation much later than the age of reason and not make it some sort of church graduation or coming of age ceremony. My preference would be to restore confirmation to a general ceremony of initiation (at baptism), but recognizing that such a change is unlikely and would need to take place progressively, I would advocate confirming children at the age of reason, perhaps even at the Mass of their first Holy Communion. Ideas?

 

[KCT]

cmom:

It is not something we dangle at teenagers, or need tons of preparation for.
Part of the problem with catechesis in this country is its focus on "Confirmation " as an end event of catholic education, instead of seeing it as a minor part od a life-long Catholic education ending at a holy death.

I agree about the preparation. If 8 yr olds can ‘understand’ the Eucharist (as if anyone really can), then they can understand Confirmation. At the very least, I think it should be done BEFORE high school. Kids really need the grace of the sacrament before they get to high school. That being said, I think the real key is catechizing the parents. If we were doing a good job of that, I don’t think we’d have all the other preparation issues. It would be a natural part of family life. —KCT

 

[Catholicgolfer]

I am 15 and haven’t been confirmed yet. Because of the fact that we haven’t had a priest for more than a year for a while and also because we just got our new bishop after not having one for 15 months confirmation has been set back. I am in my 2nd year of confirmation class and will be confirmed (hopefully) after next year.

I think that confirmation should happen around high school because this is when we decide if we really want to receive the sacrament unlike baptism and first communion. I personally can’t wait to be confirmed, but I know that many students in my class are not near ready.

 

[giannand]

I firmly believe that Confirmation should be at the age of reason. Our Bishop has moved Confirmation to 3rd grade along with 1st Communion. I was Confirmed as a sophomore–my classmates attended CCD to be Confirmed and “graduate” from CCD. Of the 76 people in my class only 3 were actively practicing their faith–and from what I’ve seen since they aren’t practicing now, either. THe others were there to please their parents etc. By moving Confirmation to the age of reason the children will have the graces that will help them through their teenage years. Our parish had a huge Confirmation last year- 300+ people (grades 3-10). The older the kids the more they saw it as “graduation”. I am currently teaching 10th grade in our Faith Formation program . Of the 60 10th graders 15 signed up for classes and the highest number of youth we’ve had at class is 5. I look at that compared to the 4th-7th grade where most of the who were confirmed have returned and attend class. Bishop Aquila has spent a great deal of time, since being appointed our bishop, catecheizing tabout the graces recieved through confirmation. Many parents, who were skeptical at first, have come to see that the restored order is very appropriate, especialy in today’s society. I truly believe that if we take the emphasis off of “graduation” or being “an adult in the church” that students will continue to practice and live out their faith.

fargodiocese.org/Bishop/homilies&messages.htm (Pastoral Letters- Send Forth Your Spirit) This site gives a historical background for Confirmation at the Age of Reason

 

[trailblazer]

I see Confirmation as a sacrament in evolution much as the sacrament of Reconciliation evolved. As I am responsible for Confirmation Formation in my parish, I believe that no one should be confirmed if they do not understand and are willing to obey the precepts of our Church. There are too many people who call themselves Catholic who do not accept Catholic teachings and lead others astray! So far, I have not denied the sacrament to anyone, but have had students drop out. However, if I would readily deny the sacrament to anyone who is pro-abortion, does not believe in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist, does not believe in the sacrament of Reconciliation, rejects the authority of the magisterium,… I vote for junior or senior high-school.

 

[Friar_David_O.Carm]

trailblazer:

I see Confirmation as a sacrament in evolution much as the sacrament of Reconciliation evolved. As I am responsible for Confirmation Formation in my parish, I believe that no one should be confirmed if they do not understand and are willing to obey the precepts of our Church. There are too many people who call themselves Catholic who do not accept Catholic teachings and lead others astray! So far, I have not denied the sacrament to anyone, but have had students drop out. However, if I would readily deny the sacrament to anyone who is pro-abortion, does not believe in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist, does not believe in the sacrament of Reconciliation, rejects the authority of the magisterium,… I vote for junior or senior high-school.

I believe that this is a misconception of what Confirmation is.

Confirmation should come before First Eucharist.

Confirmation is not a Catholic Bar Mitzvah nor it is a rite of passage into adulthood.

I think the Eastern Churchs have it right by having all the Mysteries of Initiation at the same time, Baptism, Chrismation, and First Eucharist.

I do not understand the need to understand the precepts of the Church as they are already recieving the Eucharist. If they drop out of the class does the priest then deny them communion?

Also who are you to deny any of the Sacraments? Only a priest (and/or bishop) may deny the Sacraments.

 

[GregoryPalamas]

Naturally, I agree with David. If I had to wait to understand the mysteries of salvation before I was confirmed I would never be confirmed. I think if we are honest, no one would ever be confirmed.

Dan L

 

[gelsbern]

At baptism.