Restored Order of the Sacraments of Initiation? Confirmation and First Eucharist together? (Vanity)

Diocese of Fargo, ND via Our Sunday Visitor ^ | 3/1/2003 | Bishop Samuel Acquilla

[sinkspur]

...........6. Understanding our past often helps us better understand the needs of the present. From apostolic times until around the fifth century, the Church celebrated the Sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation in one continuous rite of initiation, which culminated in a Christian’s admission to the Eucharist. This practice held for persons of all ages, including children. The baptismal washing and anointing by the priest were followed by an imposition of hands and anointing by the bishop. Confirmation was seen as a natural extension of Baptism, perfecting what the Holy Spirit had accomplished in that initial sacrament. Hence, the celebration was called the double sacrament of initiation, while still two distinct sacraments (cf. CCC, nos. 1290-1291).

7. In the Middle Ages (fifth-l3th centuries), the distinction between Baptism and Confirmation grew. Due to a growing emphasis on infant Baptism and the territorial enlargement of dioceses, it became increasingly difficult for the bishop to be present to administer Confirmation in a unified rite of initiation. As a result, Baptism and First Eucharist were administered together at infancy, with a later celebration of Confirmation by the Bishop in very early childhood. As the centuries progressed, however, infant Eucharist in the West ceased, with the effect of further neglecting Confirmation. The dominant idea of Confirmation as an intensification of Baptism was supplemented with the notion of strengthening the Christian for the battle of life through the fullness of the gift of the Holy Spirit.

8. From the 13th until the 19th century, a further change occurred in the celebration of Confirmation. Although infant Baptism continued to be the norm, First Eucharist was delayed until after the age of discretion. Thus the ancient order of the three sacraments was restored but spread out in time. Confirmation was celebrated at the age of discretion (7 and above), followed by First Eucharist between the ages of 10 and 14. By the 16th century, Confirmation was celebrated between 7 and 15 years of age, followed by First Eucharist. At the close of the 19th century, the order of Confirmation before First Eucharist received papal approval.

9. The contemporary sequence of the sacraments was determined in part by Pope Pius X, who encouraged First Eucharist at the age of discretion (7 and above). This decision had the effect of placing the reception of First Eucharist before the reception of Confirmation, which would then generally occur as early as 7 and as late as 18. This order (infant Baptism, First Eucharist at the age of discretion, and Confirmation any time between 7 and 18) is the more common pastoral practice of today.

10. At the same time, various Church documents, especially the Second Vatican Council document Sacrosanctum Concilium (no. 71) and the rituals which followed it (Pope Paul VI, Apostolic Constitution on the Sacrament of Confirmation), clearly teach that the purpose of the liturgical reform of Confirmation is to restore the intimate link Confirmation has with the whole of Christian initiation. In order for that link to be clearly established, the proper and desired order of the sacraments is that of the ancient Church: Baptism, Confirmation and First Eucharist..............

[SaltyJoe]

Popes see things not visible to other mortal men (like us bloggers). When a Pope called on Catholic youth to receive the Holy Eucharist at a young age, how many souls were saved because of this move when decades later lives were ripped apart from two World Wars and immensely powerful tyrannies?

Confirmation will help elevate our awareness of the presence of Christ in the Holy Eucharist. The Sacramental Life brings us closer and closer to Christ. I have faith that our spiritual shepherds will lovingly tend to us as the Church will not fail.

[sinkspur]

Pius X seems to speak very approvingly of the ancient practice in 1910

The Catholic Church, bearing this in mind, took care even from the beginning to bring the little ones to Christ through Eucharistic Communion, which was administered even to nursing infants. This, as was prescribed in almost all ancient Ritual books, was done at Baptism until the thirteenth century, and this custom prevailed in some places even later. It is still found in the Greek and Oriental Churches. But to remove the danger that infants might eject the Consecrated Host, the custom obtained from the beginning of administering the Eucharist to them under the species of wine only.

Infants, however, not only at the time of Baptism, but also frequently thereafter were admitted to the sacred repast. In some churches it was the custom to give the Eucharist to the children immediately after the clergy; in others, the small fragments which remained after the Communion of the adults were given to the children.

Quam Singulari.

[Tax-chick]

That's very similar to my experience in the Presbyterian Church. And I also "self-identified" as Catholic before I'd actually gone through the formalities. Our pastor was very surprised when my husband and I and our daughter turned up for RCIA, since I was in the choir, lector, and altar society!

It was just obviously the right place to be, the first time I went to Mass. Like a brick upside the head from the Holy Spirit! That said, I never denigrate what I received from my upbringing as a Protestant ... the Bible, the hymns, the fatalism. My mother still sometimes jokes that I'm a Calvinist at heart, although my parents are grateful for all the Catholic grandchildren!

[NYer]

No it isn't! :) Seriously, ask the abouna when the Maronites stopped giving communion right after baptism and chrismation. I think you'll find that is a Latinization of, in Church time, relatively recent origin.

While the Maronite Church did adopt many of the Latin Rite aspects, they recently restored administration of the Sacrament of Chrismation at the same time as Baptism. As for Holy Eucharist, knowing our Abouna, I am fairly confident that he supports it being received later, as opposed to sooner. From various discussions with the Abouna, I have understood that the Maronites have enjoyed an excellent rapport with the Romans and find no fault in applying their formulas.

[sinkspur]

Popes see things not visible to other mortal men

Perhaps, but let's not get carried away with this notion.

[Kolokotronis]

Interesting; thank-you. The part about giving the infants only the consecrated wine lest they spit up the Host is fascinating. As you know, we receive the Eucharist under both species, using leavened bread and from a golden spoon. The consecrated bread, having been in the wine in the chalice, is so soft that even a small infant can handle it. As a matter of curiosity, when did the Latin Church begin using unleavened bread in the Eucharist? I can see what the Pope was talking about with an unleavened Host.

[Tax-chick]

is so soft that even a small infant can handle it.

You haven't seen James when he finds a lump in his cereal ... and he's almost 1-1/2. But he loves wine!

[franky]

###"Now when do we have to bring her back to start classes for Confirmation?" Aaagh!"###

It is a case of blind leading the blind. I feel sorry for the kids as their parents are no more catechized than the children.

I taught CCD high schoolers, well after they made confirmation. This of course was back in the late 1950s early 1960s and there was some semblance of teaching at home and in the schools.

I also taught for 1 year a confirmation class in the mid 1970s and I received no Church material. I was left on my own but at least the Holy Spirit was with me to relay His truths to the kids. We even had a pizza party after the year was over.

What a difference in these generations.

[GipperGal]

While the Maronite Church did adopt many of the Latin Rite aspects, they recently restored administration of the Sacrament of Chrismation at the same time as Baptism. As for Holy Eucharist, knowing our Abouna, I am fairly confident that he supports it being received later, as opposed to sooner. From various discussions with the Abouna, I have understood that the Maronites have enjoyed an excellent rapport with the Romans and find no fault in applying their formulas.

As a Maronite, I was confirmed and baptized at the same time and so was everyone else in my family. This caused only a few complications later on when I attended a latin rite parochial school. I studied with the other kids as they prepared for confirmation. I even participated in the confirmation ceremony, but instead of "confirming" me, the latin rite bishop simply gave me a blessing. It all felt rather pro forma at the time and nothing special. The signifigance of confirmation really only struck me later in life when I first witnessed my oldest nephew be baptized and confirmed in the Maronite rite. It was/is a beautiful ceremony -- complete with candle processions and prayers invoking the saints and prophets and the patriarchs of old.

A priest friend (latin rite)who is now the chancellor for the arch diocese I grew up in was telling me that the Pope (JPII at the time) had a special fondness for the Maronites and was adamant that they be able to maintain their rite and not have their children baptized in the latin rite.

[Tax-chick]

I taught 9th graders (pre-confirmation) about 3 years ago. I was amazed at how little they knew. They weren't even familiar with the Gospel stories (and most of them couldn't read worth a darn, either!)

However, they were teachable. They were fascinated by the church history material I brought in, how the early Church were literally killing one another over the definitions in the Nicene Creed, and the loved they modern persecution stories from Voice of the Martyrs (especially when we sat on the floor in the dark to read about it), and they participated in prayer exercises with enthusiasm.

Today's teenagers aren't a loss by any means, but they need teachers who are passionate about the Faith and materials with some blood-and-guts and life-and-death emphasis.

[NYer]

The signifigance of confirmation really only struck me later in life when I first witnessed my oldest nephew be baptized and confirmed in the Maronite rite. It was/is a beautiful ceremony -- complete with candle processions and prayers invoking the saints and prophets and the patriarchs of old.

How awesome!! You can't begin to imagine how blessed you all are to have received those gifts and graces at the same time you were Baptized! It was a struggle to get my daughter through 13 years of religious education and to the Sacrament of Confirmation. Even then, she didn't 'get it'. As I noted above, those gifts are like seeds planted in fertile soil. They spring to life when we need them. How truly sad that so many catholics never take their children past First Communion.

A priest friend (latin rite)who is now the chancellor for the arch diocese I grew up in was telling me that the Pope (JPII at the time) had a special fondness for the Maronites and was adamant that they be able to maintain their rite and not have their children baptized in the latin rite.

As did John XXIII and our new pontiff Benedict XVI. When Nimatullah Al Hardini was canonized, JPII invited Patriarch Sfeir to concelebrate the Mass that day. He also extended an invitation to have a Maronite priest chant the gospel in Arabic which was followed by the glorious strains of a Maronite choir chanting the "Praise, Thanksgiving and Blessing" hymn.

During the interregnum following the death of JPII, then Cardinal Ratzinger extended an invitation to Patriarch Sfeir to celebrate the Maronite Divine Liturgy on behalf of all the Eastern Churches. At his Installation Mass, Pope Benedict XVI once again extended the invitation to Patriarch Sfeir to concelebrate that Mass. He represented ALL the Eastern Churches at that Mass. What an honor!!

Abouna Elie, with a twinkle in his eye, told us not long ago that the Maronites have always known how to take the best from their invaders and discard the rest ;-). The Maronites have proffited handsomely from their relationship with the Latin Church, including an illustrious seminary in Rome.

The Maronites are one of only two Churches that have never been separated from Rome. You should be so proud of your rich and glorious heritage!

[Salvation]

For the RCIA this is the norm. Even for the RCIA children -- I believe they are baptized, then confirmed and then receive the Eucharist.

All at the Easter Vigil Mass, of course.

I like it. I think it gives more importance to the practice of a CAtholic life. Through the further infusion of the Holy Spirit into one's mind, soul, and body, a lot of evangelization, knowledge, etc. could be manifested.

[Salvation]

**They stop because of poor parenting**

Agree with you here when they are adolescents. But many adults (including me) take on a lot of guilt when their adult children choose to move from the Catholic faith to an evangelical church.

Did we fail? Or are they exercising their own wills? Hope this doesn't get the thread off the subject?

[Salvation]

**By waiting so long to give the sacrament of Confirmation to adolescents in the Church today the practical effect tends to be that so many never receive it.**

So true.

[Salvation]

**Continuous change, even when it is change for the better, is the mark of revolutionaries. **

You are correct. Was not Christ a revolutionary in his day?

Thank goodness the church is always changing. The church is us along with the priests, episcopacy and the papacy.

[wideawake]

But many adults (including me) take on a lot of guilt when their adult children choose to move from the Catholic faith to an evangelical church.

There is a difference between never going to church again and going to church elsewhere. It's not desirable, of course.

Year after year of lackluster, uninspiring Masses and wishywashy teaching may cause Catholics to stray to churches that have pastors with convictions.

That's hardly the parent's fault, since the parents aren't pastors.

I would even say that a child who refuses to go to church on general principle is not a parent's fault either.

But a child who thinks that regular attendance at church is meaningless or insignificant probably learned that attitude from their parents and more specifically, their father.

[Salvation]

**We teach children and play with adults, when we ought to be playing more with children, and teaching adults.**

Adult faith-formation is one of the fastest growing facets of the church today. Also one of the reasons that we have so many adult baptisms, confirmations and First Communions. Praise the Lord!

Our parish is a small one but growing. Now over 600 families. We had a fantastic turnout last night for adult faith formation alongside the teen and children's faith formation. Over 140 individuals and near 90 familieis represented! Our topic?

The Apparitions of Mary. For the families with children: Honoring Mary around the World.

And believe me, everyone got a lot of catechesis!!!

[Salvation]

**I also agree with another post which pointed out that the current system in most dioceses deprives teenagers of the sacramental graces of Confirmation at a time in life when they really need it.**

Bump that!

[GipperGal]

As I noted above, those gifts are like seeds planted in fertile soil. They spring to life when we need them.

YES! You are very right. That's exactly what it was. Even when I distanced myself from my faith, that seed was still there. My mother and father always had faith that the seed would come to fruition if they kept praying and supplying it with spiritual food and a healthy environment. One thing I noticed especially about the Maronite baptism/confirmation is that it puts even greater emphasis on the responsibility of the godparents and parents than the latin rite. It is made very apparent that the godparents are taking a sacred vow to insure with the parents that the child is brought up in the faith. The godparents hold the candle for the child and say the vows. As I mentioned, they also emphasize the role of the communion of saints in the child's instruction. It reminds us that the Church is more than just those living today; it is the Church triumphant throughout the ages. I believe one of the readings was from Luke 1:76-79 -- Zechariah's song:

"And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace."

Believe me, I learned from a young age that our ancestors were forever faithful to the See of St. Peter, our first patriarch. And I was taught that my ancestors first heard the gospel from the Lord Himself or at the very least from one of the Twelve! As I child and teenager I was fascinated with the stories of the old testament in the same way that a person of European descent might be fascinated by the history of the Middle Ages. Reading the bible was literally reading my ancestral history! Of course, my people were usually the bad guys...But I was always particularly gratified by all the warnings in the proverbs to beware the beauty and wiles of the Canaanite women. Yeah, we're wily alright!

[NYer]

With the Myron of Christ our God,
sweet fragrance of the true faith,
seal and fullness of the grace of the heavenly Spirit,
N., the servant of God, is sealed
In the name of the + Father,
and of the + Son,
and of the + Holy Spirit.

This formula of Chrismation teaches us that this sacramental Mystery is a "seal" put upon Baptism. It completes the next stage of what was started in Baptism and looks forward to the completion of the Mysteries of Initiation with the reception of Holy Communion.

The Holy Spirit bestows two kinds of gifts. The first kind is intended for the sanctification of the person who receives them. They are permanent, supernatural qualities that enable the graced person to be especially in tune with the inspirations of the Holy Spirit.

A second kind of gifts of the Spirit is called charisms. They are extraordinary favors granted principally for the help of others.

Captivated By Your Teachings A Resource Book For Adult Maronite Catholics

If you don't already own a copy, you can obtain one directly from Nedder Publishing . The author, Fr. Salim served as Parochial Vicar at St. Maron’s Church in Clevland, Ohio; as Administrator of St. Sharbel Maronite Mission in Peoria, Illinoi; as Pastor of St. George’s Church in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania; and as Pastor of Our Lady of Lebanon Church in Flint, Michigan. Fr. Salim celebrated his 25th anniversary of Ordained Priesthood on the 29th of June 2001. Fr. Salim is currently the Director of Religious Education for the Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon of Los Angeles. He also serves as Associate Director of the Eastern (Churches) Conference of Diocesan Directors of Religious Education (ECDD) and as Eastern Church Representative to National Conference of Catechetical Leadership (NCCL).

It is an awesome reference and enjoyable read. Fr. Salim brings the Maronite faith to life.