| 3. Confirmation is celebrated together with, or just prior
to, the first reception of eucharist.
The custom of the Roman Rite is to complete the initiation
of those baptised as infants when they have reached the use
of reason. Eucharist is the climax of the initiation process.
Hence, in order to respect our theological and liturgical
tradition, confirmation is celebrated prior to the first
reception of communion.
Since the Rite for the Christian Initiation of Adults provides
a model for sacramental initiation and shows clearly the
unity of the sacraments of initiation, it is appropriate
that this completion of initiation be seen as a single process
involving renewal of baptismal promises, sealing with the
gift of the Spirit (confirmation), and introduction to the
eucharistic table.
The unity of the sacraments of initiation is also seen in
the Eastern Rite Catholic Churches where an infant is baptised,
confirmed and given communion in a single celebration of
initiation. (Care should be taken not to repeat the sacrament
of confirmation for these children when they are older.)
The existence of this pattern of initiation for infants does
not mean that the Roman custom of delaying confirmation and
first communion until seven years of age should be abandoned,
nor does it justify joining confirmation to baptism, a practice
which would leave admission to eucharist isolated from the
other sacraments of initiation.
Occasionally it may be desirable to separate confirmation
from first communion; for example, if the bishop is present
to celebrate confirmation in the parish on a weekday, the
first communion may be delayed until the following Sunday
in order to involve the whole parish community and to highlight
the importance of Sunday. It is not desirable to separate
these two sacraments so that there is an opportunity to have
two separate preparation programs or to offer separate catechesis
on each sacrament. Remember that for children of seven, catechesis
on these sacraments will mostly take place in the years following
their celebration.
Since the child's confirmation and first communion relate
so intimately to baptism, it is desirable that the baptismal
sponsors be involved with the parents and child in the parish
sacramental preparation program and act as sponsors during
the rite of confirmation. This provides a privileged pastoral
opportunity for all involved to renew their commitment to
the child's continued faith growth and practice.
It is nowhere envisaged in the rite of confirmation that
a child will take a special confirmation name. In fact this
practice is not helpful. It is better to use the child's
baptismal name as a way of emphasising the unity of the sacraments
of initiation . |
