Older Children receiving sacraments
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Older Children receiving sacraments
by Amber Mon Mar 03, 2008 11:13 pm
I've heard it said that "any person over Catechetical age or the Age of Reason, is to be Catechized in the RCIA process for one full liturgical year" and that they may, at that time, receive Baptism (if necessary), First Communion and Confirmation at Easter just like the adults.
This doesn't seem quite fair. If a child is a "convert" with his parents, he can receive Confirmation right away? Why would he not have to wait for Confirmation in his teen years like the life-long Catholic kids?
I'm a little confused...
This doesn't seem quite fair. If a child is a "convert" with his parents, he can receive Confirmation right away? Why would he not have to wait for Confirmation in his teen years like the life-long Catholic kids?
I'm a little confused...
Amber- Neophyte
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Number of posts : 101
Age : 49
Location : Reno, Nevada
Faith : Non-denominational to Catholic
Registration date : 2008-02-16 -
Re: Older Children receiving sacraments
by Cindy Wed Mar 05, 2008 8:26 am
Hi Amber,
This might be helpful:
RITES FOR PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES
God loved the world so much, he gave us his only Son, that all who believe in him might have eternal life.
1. CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF CHILDREN WHO HAVE REACHED CATECHETICAL AGE
Do not keep the children from me.
252. This form of the rite of Christian initiation is intended for children, not baptized as infants, who have attained the use of reason and are of catechetical age. They seek Christian initiation either at the direction of their parents or guardians or, with parental permission, on their own initiative. Such children are capable of receiving and nurturing a personal faith and of recognizing an obligation in conscience. But they cannot yet be treated as adults because, at this stage of their lives, they are dependent on their parents or guardians and are still strongly influenced by their companions and their social surroundings.
253. The Christian initiation of these children requires both a conversion that is personal and somewhat developed, in proportion to their age, and the assistance of the education they need. The process of initiation thus must be adapted both to their spiritual progress, that is, to the children's growth in faith, and to the catechetical instruction they receive. Accordingly, as with adults, their initiation is to be extended over several years, if need be, before they receive the sacraments. Also as with adults, their initiation is marked by several steps: the liturgical rites of acceptance into the order of catechumens (nos. 260-276), the optional rite of election (nos. 277-290), penitential rites or scrutinies (nos. 291-303), and the celebration of the sacraments of initiation (nos. 304-329); corresponding to the periods of adult initiation are the periods of the children's catechetical formation that lead up to and follow the steps of their initiation.
254. The children's progress in the formation they receive depends on the help and example of their companions and on the influence of their parents. Both these factors should therefore be taken into account.
1. Since the children to be initiated often belong to a group of children of the same age who are already baptized and are preparing for confirmation and Eucharist, their initiation progresses gradually and within the supportive setting of this group of companions.
2. It is to be hoped that the children will also receive as much help and example as possible from the parents, whose permission is required for the children to be initiated and to live the Christian life. The period of initiation will also provide a good opportunity for the family to have contact with priests and catechists.
255. For the celebrations proper to this form of Christian initiation, it is advantageous, as circumstances allow, to form a group of several children who are in this same situation, in order that by example they may help one another in their progress as catechumens.
256. In regard to the time for the celebration of the steps of initiation, it is preferable that, if possible, the final period of preparation, begun by the second step, the penitential rites (or by the optional rite of election), coincide with Lent and that the final step, celebration of the sacraments of initiation, take place at the Easter Vigil (see no. 8 ). Nevertheless before the children are admitted to the sacraments at Easter, it should be established that they are ready for the sacraments. Celebration at this time must also be consistent with the program of catechetical instruction they are receiving, since the candidates should, if possible, come to the sacraments of initiation at the time that their baptized companions are to receive confirmation or Eucharist.
257. For children of this age, at the rites during the process of initiation, it is generally preferable not to have the whole parish community present, but simply represented. Thus these rites should be celebrated with the active participation of a congregation that consists of a suitable number of the faithful, the parents, family, members of the catechetical group, and a few adult friends.
258. Each conference of bishops may adapt and add to the form of the rite given here, in order that the rite will more effectively satisfy local needs, conditions, and pastoral requirements. [The National Conference of Catholic Bishops has done this by providing an optional "Rite of Election" before "Second Step: Penitential Rites (Scrutinies)."] The rites for the presentation of the Creed (nos. 157-162) and the Lord's Prayer (nos. 178-183), adapted to the age of the children, may be incorporated. When the form of the rite of initiation for children is translated, the instructions and prayers should be adapted to their understanding. Furthermore, in addition to any liturgical text translated from the Latin editio typica, the conference of bishops may also approve an original, alternative text that says the same thing in a way more suited to children (see Christian Initiation, General Introduction, no. 32).
259. In following this form of the rite of Christian initiation the celebrant should make full and wise use of the options mentioned in Christian Initiation, General Introduction (nos. 34-35), in the Rite of Baptism for Children, Introduction (no. 31), and in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, Introduction (no. 35).
-- The Rites of the Catholic Church, p. 170-172.
This might be helpful:
RITES FOR PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES
God loved the world so much, he gave us his only Son, that all who believe in him might have eternal life.
1. CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF CHILDREN WHO HAVE REACHED CATECHETICAL AGE
Do not keep the children from me.
252. This form of the rite of Christian initiation is intended for children, not baptized as infants, who have attained the use of reason and are of catechetical age. They seek Christian initiation either at the direction of their parents or guardians or, with parental permission, on their own initiative. Such children are capable of receiving and nurturing a personal faith and of recognizing an obligation in conscience. But they cannot yet be treated as adults because, at this stage of their lives, they are dependent on their parents or guardians and are still strongly influenced by their companions and their social surroundings.
253. The Christian initiation of these children requires both a conversion that is personal and somewhat developed, in proportion to their age, and the assistance of the education they need. The process of initiation thus must be adapted both to their spiritual progress, that is, to the children's growth in faith, and to the catechetical instruction they receive. Accordingly, as with adults, their initiation is to be extended over several years, if need be, before they receive the sacraments. Also as with adults, their initiation is marked by several steps: the liturgical rites of acceptance into the order of catechumens (nos. 260-276), the optional rite of election (nos. 277-290), penitential rites or scrutinies (nos. 291-303), and the celebration of the sacraments of initiation (nos. 304-329); corresponding to the periods of adult initiation are the periods of the children's catechetical formation that lead up to and follow the steps of their initiation.
254. The children's progress in the formation they receive depends on the help and example of their companions and on the influence of their parents. Both these factors should therefore be taken into account.
1. Since the children to be initiated often belong to a group of children of the same age who are already baptized and are preparing for confirmation and Eucharist, their initiation progresses gradually and within the supportive setting of this group of companions.
2. It is to be hoped that the children will also receive as much help and example as possible from the parents, whose permission is required for the children to be initiated and to live the Christian life. The period of initiation will also provide a good opportunity for the family to have contact with priests and catechists.
255. For the celebrations proper to this form of Christian initiation, it is advantageous, as circumstances allow, to form a group of several children who are in this same situation, in order that by example they may help one another in their progress as catechumens.
256. In regard to the time for the celebration of the steps of initiation, it is preferable that, if possible, the final period of preparation, begun by the second step, the penitential rites (or by the optional rite of election), coincide with Lent and that the final step, celebration of the sacraments of initiation, take place at the Easter Vigil (see no. 8 ). Nevertheless before the children are admitted to the sacraments at Easter, it should be established that they are ready for the sacraments. Celebration at this time must also be consistent with the program of catechetical instruction they are receiving, since the candidates should, if possible, come to the sacraments of initiation at the time that their baptized companions are to receive confirmation or Eucharist.
257. For children of this age, at the rites during the process of initiation, it is generally preferable not to have the whole parish community present, but simply represented. Thus these rites should be celebrated with the active participation of a congregation that consists of a suitable number of the faithful, the parents, family, members of the catechetical group, and a few adult friends.
258. Each conference of bishops may adapt and add to the form of the rite given here, in order that the rite will more effectively satisfy local needs, conditions, and pastoral requirements. [The National Conference of Catholic Bishops has done this by providing an optional "Rite of Election" before "Second Step: Penitential Rites (Scrutinies)."] The rites for the presentation of the Creed (nos. 157-162) and the Lord's Prayer (nos. 178-183), adapted to the age of the children, may be incorporated. When the form of the rite of initiation for children is translated, the instructions and prayers should be adapted to their understanding. Furthermore, in addition to any liturgical text translated from the Latin editio typica, the conference of bishops may also approve an original, alternative text that says the same thing in a way more suited to children (see Christian Initiation, General Introduction, no. 32).
259. In following this form of the rite of Christian initiation the celebrant should make full and wise use of the options mentioned in Christian Initiation, General Introduction (nos. 34-35), in the Rite of Baptism for Children, Introduction (no. 31), and in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, Introduction (no. 35).
-- The Rites of the Catholic Church, p. 170-172.
Last edited by Cindy on Thu Mar 06, 2008 9:39 pm; edited 1 time in total
Cindy- Catechumen
- Number of posts : 51
Location : California
Faith : Catholic Convert
Registration date : 2008-02-16
Re: Older Children receiving sacraments
by Amber Wed Mar 05, 2008 5:39 pm
Great information, Cindy! Thanks so much!
Amber- Neophyte
- Number of posts : 101
Age : 49
Location : Reno, Nevada
Faith : Non-denominational to Catholic
Registration date : 2008-02-16 -
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