Confirmation Before First Eucharist?

[thessalonian]

I will not go over any info that has already been stated. Quite clearly in scripture in places such as Acts 19 where Paul confirmed some who had the bapitism of John, they were confirmed before Eucharist. Seems likely in Acts 2 as well and in other places. My sister was confirmed as a baby when my mom got in to an automobile accident and she was in danger of death so it is nothing new. Seems there is a trend toward younger confirmations and I think in this day and age when our faith is tested more strenously by the world the grace is needed earlier in life.

[tinytherese]

The book Doors to the Sacred has a chapter on the history of Confirmation. You can also look up Confirmation in the New Catholic Encyclopedia.

Edited May 29, 2012 by tinytherese

[RandomProddy]

[quote name='Archaeology cat' timestamp='1338322145' post='2437299']
Byzantine Catholics do that, as well (with all three at once).
[/quote]

Churches of the Anglican persuasion historically do confirmation before first communion.

[quote]...but of course I submit to the Church.[/quote]

I'm starting to think that this is a really good idea..

[Chrysophylax]

I have known of Confirmation being administered to innocents when they are in danger of death. Since they have no actual sins yet (to young, not at the age of reason) and Original Sin was taken care of by baptism, it is one of the only Sacraments that would be beneficial/ could help prepare for death (since obviously last rights/ reconciliation would not be applicable). We experienced this when my youngest sister was around 9 months old and suddenly stopped breathing one night. Rushed to the hospital, called our priest. She was confirmed and was in the hospital for a while but we never found out what actually happened and she came home. Well, that is all I have to add.

[dells_of_bittersweet]

Something as serious as a Sacrament should not be tampered with to create a carrot to keep parents sending their kids to RE. If parents require such motivation in the first place, its a sign the kids shouldn't be confirmed, as religious education starts in the home, and in this case, the parents clearly aren't doing it.

[Slappo]

[quote name='dells_of_bittersweet' timestamp='1338343774' post='2437576']
Something as serious as a Sacrament should not be tampered with to create a carrot to keep parents sending their kids to RE. If parents require such motivation in the first place, its a sign the kids shouldn't be confirmed, as religious education starts in the home, and in this case, the parents clearly aren't doing it.
[/quote]

yes yes and more yes

[AnneLine]

A few weeks back when this came up, I was very much against the idea. But, you're slowly winning me over, if just for the graces being available to the kids earlier. That does make sense. BUt I know we will get a large percentage who will NEVER set foot in a CCD program again.... and may or may not come to Church. Sad but true.

For all the ideal parent and ideal formation of baby Catholics rationale (and they are GOOD points and indeed the ideal, and I know all the PhatMass Parents will do this..) I do think that we have to consider the reality of the lives of the rest of the parents & kids. I've taught CCD 1st - 9th grade at various times. At one point I've specialized in 'older children First Communions' -- preparing the kids who for whatever reason just weren't IN CCD during 2nd grade and never had first penance nor made first communion. It wasn't the KIDS that weren't up for CCD... it was the parents, most of whom were both working and had the kids over-scheduled as a slightly disguised form of childcare. (I'm not advocating, I'm reporting here....) I had a heck of a time getting some of the parents to understand why they really NEEDED to let them finish out the year or their children wouldn't make first Communion..... Grrrrrr.

Fast Forward to the 21st century. The parish I attend has been averaging about 20-30 people in RCIA the last few years, and the vast majority those are young adults... most of whom are doing this because they want to get married in the Church. Yes, there always are a few baptisms, a few receptions into the Church... but the rest seem to be young adults who for whatever reason NEVER were confirmed. My guess is that it just wasn't a priority for a lot of their parents, and the kids didn't know any better. Very sad.... At least we have a fantastic YA program that DOES make the reception of this sacrament (and doing it properly) a priority.... and they WANT to be confirmed and are BEING confirmed, and becoming strong, faithful Catholics.

Now.... apart from the theological reasons for restored order that Fr. Cappie and the rest of you have put out so effectively, I have a sneeky susupicion that the unspoken additional reason for 'restored order' is because it means that a lot of dioceses won't have to run a bunch of people who never went thru confirmation through confirmation before they can get married.

I'm not saying this is a GOOD reason, but I bet it is part of the reason.

Thoughts?

[beatitude]

[quote name='dominicansoul' timestamp='1338317140' post='2437248']
If you think about it, on Pentecost Sunday, when the apostles baptized the people, the Holy Spirit immediately came upon those baptized at the same time....

I wonder more what was the reason for the Church to change the order of Sacraments....
[/quote]

The apostles received the Eucharist at the Last Supper before they received the gift of the Holy Spirit, which came to them only after the Resurrection. I think there is biblical precedent for having the sacraments in both orders.

[inunionwithrome]

I say the earlier they can receive the grace of the Holy Spirit, the better. There are dioceses in which children receive Confirmation in 5th or 6th grades or they wait until the 11th grade. I think waiting until the 11th grade is too long. However, generally they are more mautre by then.