When to get confirmed? Where? Confirmation name?

[7discerning7]

Hi!

I’m a 14 year old girl and am wondering if there is a certain age Catholic teens should be confirmed.
There are some churches near my area that have studies for two years and then confirmation at the end of the second year or the next year. Are these two years necessary if you have religion class in each school year?
Do you need to be confirmed where you live or can you be confirmed in another country?
I’m having trouble picking a confirmation name. I want a female saint that is around my birthday (following the family trend for confirmation names). I’ll tell you a little about myself if its of any help: I’m a musician (I play both piano and violin for the church), I LOVE serving the church, I am discerning, and my birthday is at the end of October.

-7discerning7

Feel free to PM me!

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

I’m a 14 year old girl and am wondering if there is a certain age Catholic teens should be confirmed.

The minimum age is the age of reason, about 7 years old.

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.

In the US the bishops have issued a complimentary norm stating that Confirmation should happen between the age of reason and about 16 years old at the discretion of the bishop. See usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/what-we-believe/canon-law/complementary-norms/canon-891-age-for-confirmation.cfm

There are some churches near my area that have studies for two years and then confirmation at the end of the second year or the next year. Are these two years necessary if you have religion class in each school year?

If that’s what the pastor and/or bishop think is necessary for preparation then that’s what’s necessary.

Do you need to be confirmed where you live or can you be confirmed in another country?

I don’t know the legalities involved – your priest or bishop would know. However, you don’t just show up one day and the bishop confirms you. You would need to do whatever preparation was required either at your own parish or in the other country.

I’m having trouble picking a confirmation name. I want a female saint that is around my birthday (following the family trend for confirmation names). I’ll tell you a little about myself if its of any help: I’m a musician (I play both piano and violin for the church), I LOVE serving the church, I am discerning, and my birthday is at the end of October.

Confirmation names/patron saints are optional. If this is something done in your parish you might consider St Cecilia, the patron of musicians. Her feast is celebrated on November 22.

 

[Nicea325]

The minimum age is the age of reason, about 7 years old.

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.

In the US the bishops have issued a complimentary norm stating that Confirmation should happen between the age of reason and about 16 years old at the discretion of the bishop. See usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/what-we-believe/canon-law/complementary-norms/canon-891-age-for-confirmation.cfm

If that’s what the pastor and/or bishop think is necessary for preparation then that’s what’s necessary.

I don’t know the legalities involved – your priest or bishop would know. However, you don’t just show up one day and the bishop confirms you. You would need to do whatever preparation was required either at your own parish or in the other country.

Confirmation names/patron saints are optional. If this is something done in your parish you might consider St Cecilia, the patron of musicians. Her feast is celebrated on November 22.

I was confirmed as an infant…wish we could go back to the old order: baptism,confirmation,eucharist.

 

[revert_jen]

Do you need to be confirmed where you live or can you be confirmed in another country?

I’m not 100% sure, but I think that if you want to be confirmed in a parish that is not your territorial parish, you would need a letter of permission from your pastor. Really, you should contact your diocese for answers like this, because it might be different from diocese to diocese.

–Jen

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

I was confirmed as an infant…wish we could go back to the old order: baptism,confirmation,eucharist.

I agree! Adults receive their sacraments of initiation in the right order. Some dioceses have moved Confirmation age to about seven so that children are confirmed and receive First Communion. I’d love to see that implemented more widely.

 

[Joe_5859]

I’m just posting to agree with what others have said. The age of Confirmation can vary from place to place. Check with your pastor and/or your local diocese to find out what the norm is for your area.

 

[Nicea325]

I agree! Adults receive their sacraments of initiation in the right order. Some dioceses have moved Confirmation age to about seven so that children are confirmed and receive First Communion. I’d love to see that implemented more widely.

Exactly! More important, I recently read an article from a Catholic source( cannot remember which one) stating many American Catholics have a poor understanding of the sacrament of Confirmation. Many believe it is a sacrament where one “chooses” to be Catholic and practice the faith. Many view it as a “graduation” or completion of their faith and the list goes on and on and on. I blame the church for moving it back and forth in regards to the age. Likewise, many Catholics in America do not even get confirmed because it has become a sacrament of “choice” and not necessary.

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

I totally agree. People view confirmation as a sign of adulthood, similar to a Jewish bar mitzvah. They think that the person has “confirmed” their baptism by choosing to be Catholic. And for a lot of teens, being an adult means they reject their parents’ wishes for them to be confirmed. It’s a big mess.

I’ve taught adult confirmation classes for a number of years and I always ask why the person never got confirmed. Teen rebellion is a frequent answer followed by “falling through the cracks.” A person may have lived in a diocese where older teens were confirmed; later the family moved to a place where younger teens or children were confirmed and they missed it.

Perhaps people feel a need for a coming-of-age ceremony and maybe the Church should come up with such a ritual. But confirmation isn’t it!

 

[fastenatingguy]

I am an 8th grade catechist in my parish of 54 years. Tomorrow, 110 of our children will receive the Sacrament of Confirmation from Bishop Kane.

If the children (AND to some extent, their parents and sponsors also) are effectively catechized, then the children understand the (adult) responsibility of the grace received: to be an effective evangelist for Christ and His Church.

Yes, many view it (wrongly) as a graduation or “end of the line” until (perhaps) they “need” the church again (for a wedding). That is the fault of the parents specifically, and all Catholics generally.

Try your best to support the young Catholic adults in your parish and neighborhood. And pray for them!

 

[7discerning7]

The minimum age is the age of reason, about 7 years old.

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.

In the US the bishops have issued a complimentary norm stating that Confirmation should happen between the age of reason and about 16 years old at the discretion of the bishop. See usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/what-we-believe/canon-law/complementary-norms/canon-891-age-for-confirmation.cfm

If that’s what the pastor and/or bishop think is necessary for preparation then that’s what’s necessary.

I don’t know the legalities involved – your priest or bishop would know. However, you don’t just show up one day and the bishop confirms you. You would need to do whatever preparation was required either at your own parish or in the other country.

Confirmation names/patron saints are optional. If this is something done in your parish you might consider St Cecilia, the patron of musicians. Her feast is celebrated on November 22.

Hello!

Thank you for your reply! Thanks for citing!

Would I need to have permission from my pastor or bishop to be confirmed outside of the US?

So confirmation names are optional? I thought they were required. If I don’t choose a confirmation name before infer confirmed and I finally decide on one after I get confirmed, can it still be my confirmation name?
I thought about St. Cecilia…maybe…

Thanks!
7discerning7

 

[7discerning7]

I’m not 100% sure, but I think that if you want to be confirmed in a parish that is not your territorial parish, you would need a letter of permission from your pastor. Really, you should contact your diocese for answers like this, because it might be different from diocese to diocese.

–Jen

Hi!

So this may vary from diocese to diocese…our pastor is currently the acting bishop of our diocese…do I ask him for permission or should I talk to someone else?

Thanks!
7discerning7

 

[TheRealJuliane]

Hello!

Thank you for your reply! Thanks for citing!

Would I need to have permission from my pastor or bishop to be confirmed outside of the US?

So confirmation names are optional? I thought they were required. If I don’t choose a confirmation name before infer confirmed and I finally decide on one after I get confirmed, can it still be my confirmation name?
I thought about St. Cecilia…maybe…

Thanks!
7discerning7

Hi there! Welcome to CAF!

Have you spoken to your parents about going into confirmation classes? You probably should do that first! And then you can ask your priest about getting confirmed somewhere else, but it’s kinda avante-garde to do that…Not sure it would be advisable. Is there someone in another country who would like to see you confirmed?

In any case, you are about at the right age to start the preparation, but please talk to your parents about it first!

 

[7discerning7]

Hi there! Welcome to CAF!

Have you spoken to your parents about going into confirmation classes? You probably should do that first! And then you can ask your priest about getting confirmed somewhere else, but it’s kinda avante-garde to do that…Not sure it would be advisable. Is there someone in another country who would like to see you confirmed?

In any case, you are about at the right age to start the preparation, but please talk to your parents about it first!

Hi!

Thank you!

Yes, I did speak to my parents about this and my mom is wondering too if I can be confirmed in another country. (She doesn’t know I’m asking you guys.)
We haven’t talked about it to a priest yet. Should we?

Thanks!
7discerning7

 

[jmcrae]

Hi!

I’m a 14 year old girl and am wondering if there is a certain age Catholic teens should be confirmed.

Your Bishop sets the age for your Diocese. It can be anywhere from seven to seventeen.

There are some churches near my area that have studies for two years and then confirmation at the end of the second year or the next year. Are these two years necessary if you have religion class in each school year?

You would have to ask them. The rules are different depending on the local situation. Contact your parish office by phone and ask to speak with the Director of Religious Education, and mention that you want to ask about Confirmation for teenagers.

Do you need to be confirmed where you live or can you be confirmed in another country?

Normally you would be Confirmed in the parish where you live; that’s according to canon law.

I’m having trouble picking a confirmation name. I want a female saint that is around my birthday (following the family trend for confirmation names). I’ll tell you a little about myself if its of any help: I’m a musician (I play both piano and violin for the church), I LOVE serving the church, I am discerning, and my birthday is at the end of October.

St. Cecilia is the Patron Saint of music, and her feast day is November 22nd.

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

Hello!

Thank you for your reply! Thanks for citing!

Would I need to have permission from my pastor or bishop to be confirmed outside of the US?

So confirmation names are optional? I thought they were required. If I don’t choose a confirmation name before infer confirmed and I finally decide on one after I get confirmed, can it still be my confirmation name?
I thought about St. Cecilia…maybe…

Thanks!
7discerning7

Talking with your pastor is probably the best option. I assume you would need his approval to be confirmed outside of your parish. The pastor of the parish where you would be confirmed would also need to know that you have prepared for the sacrament. Good luck.

 

[Aviatrix]

St. Ursula’s feast day is Oct 21

 

[TheRealJuliane]

Hi!

Thank you!

Yes, I did speak to my parents about this and my mom is wondering too if I can be confirmed in another country. (She doesn’t know I’m asking you guys.)
We haven’t talked about it to a priest yet. Should we?

Thanks!
7discerning7

Yes, you should ask your parish priest about all of this. Have your mom make an appointment and speak to him about what you want to do.

All the best in your discernment!

 

[Vico]

Hi!

I’m a 14 year old girl and am wondering if there is a certain age Catholic teens should be confirmed.
There are some churches near my area that have studies for two years and then confirmation at the end of the second year or the next year. Are these two years necessary if you have religion class in each school year?
Do you need to be confirmed where you live or can you be confirmed in another country?
I’m having trouble picking a confirmation name. I want a female saint that is around my birthday (following the family trend for confirmation names). I’ll tell you a little about myself if its of any help: I’m a musician (I play both piano and violin for the church), I LOVE serving the church, I am discerning, and my birthday is at the end of October.

-7discerning7

Feel free to PM me!

Permission is obtained from the ordinary (bishop) that is caring for you and is based normally on territory, unless you are in a personal parish. So Catholics normally fall under the jurisdiction of a ordinary or pastor based upon their territorial status. That status can be incole, advena, perigrinus, or vagus. Sometimes you can have multiple, for example you can have two of domicile or quasi-domicile.CIC

Can. 100
A person is said to be: an incola, in the place where he or she has a domicile; an advena, in the place of quasi-domicile; a peregrinus, if away from the domicile or quasi-domicile which is still retained; a vagus, if the person has nowhere a domicile or quasi-domicile.

Can. 102
§1 Domicile is acquired by residence in the territory of a parish, or at least of a diocese, which is either linked to the intention of remaining there permanently if nothing should occasion its withdrawal, or in fact protracted for a full five years.

§2 Quasi-domicile is acquired by residence in the territory of a parish, or at least of a diocese, which is either linked to the intention of remaining there for three months if nothing should occasion its withdrawal, or in fact protracted for three months.

§3 Domicile or quasi-domicile in the territory of a parish is called parochial; in the territory of a diocese, even if not in a parish, it is called diocesan.

Can. 107 §1. Through both domicile and quasi-domicile, each person acquires his or her pastor and ordinary.

§2. The proper pastor or ordinary of a transient [vagus] is the pastor or local ordinary where the transient is actually residing.

§3. The proper pastor of one who has only a diocesan domicile or quasi-domicile [incola, advena, peregrinus] is the pastor of the place where the person is actually residing.