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by Bishop Samuel Aquila
“Et ego rogabo Patrem, et alium paraclitum dabit vobis, ut
maneat vobiscum in aeternum, Spiritum veritatis . . . ”(Jn 14:15) “I
will ask the Father and he will give you another Paraclete to
be with you always, the Spirit of truth . . .”
I. Introduction
- To the people of God of Eastern North Dakota and to all persons
of good will: Greetings in the Lord Jesus Christ!
In the Gospel of St. John, our Lord promised his disciples
that he would pray to the Father so that he would send them “another
helper,” the “Spirit of truth” who would remain with them forever
(Jn 14:17, cf. Jn 15:26, 16:13). This promise finds expression
in the Acts of the Apostles and in the Letters of the New Testament
wherever a special gesture of the Spirit's gift accompanies
or follows baptism. The grace of baptism begins the journey
of incorporation into the mystery of Christ through the power
of the Holy Spirit. But the disciple of Christ also needs to
be strengthened by the fullness of the Spirit's gifts. This
second outpouring augments the original gift of the Spirit
received in baptism. We can never forget that the principal
outpouring of the Spirit is in baptism, and that confirmation
deepens and strengthens this initial gift.
- Since apostolic times, the sacrament of confirmation has
been seen as the second sacrament of Christian initiation.
Indeed, the Catechism
of the Catholic Church (CCC)
describes confirmation as completing the grace of baptism (CCC
1285 inter
alia). In ancient practice, the Church
celebrated these three sacraments in this unified order—baptism,
confirmation, and First Eucharist. In more recent times, confirmation
has occurred at a later time, after baptism and First Eucharist.
- Over the past few decades, much discussion has occurred among
bishops, clergy, and lay faithful regarding the proper placement
of confirmation in parish practice. In part, this discussion
has been fueled by the great variety in the timing, preparation,
and celebration of confirmation across the United States, as
well as the revision of the Rite
of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA),
which calls for the reception of baptism, confirmation, and
First Eucharist in one rite after the age of seven.
- This variety is present also here in the Diocese of Fargo.
Significant pastoral advantage and benefit, however, exist
in having a unified diocesan approach in the preparation and
celebration of this sacrament. For this reason, in recent months,
I have sought the advice of the priests and catechists of the
diocese; most have expressed a desire for a common practice
of confirmation in our local Church.
- Important to the development of a common practice of confirmation
is the understanding of both the history and the theology of
the sacrament. The next two sections will briefly reflect on
these two themes, precedent to the statement of the confirmation
policy for the Diocese of Fargo.
II. Confirmation: Understanding the
Past 1
- Understanding our past often helps us better
understand the needs of the present. From the
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 1290-1291).
- In the Middle Ages (5th-13th 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.
- From the thirteenth until the nineteenth 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 (seven and above), followed
by First Eucharist between the ages of ten and
fourteen. By the sixteenth century, confirmation
was celebrated between seven and fifteen years
of age, followed by First Eucharist. At the close
of the nineteenth century, the order of confirmation
before First Eucharist received papal approval.
- The contemporary sequence of the sacraments
was determined in part by Pope Pius X, who encouraged
First Eucharist at the age of discretion (seven
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 seven and as late as eighteen. This
order (infant baptism, First Eucharist at the
age of discretion, and confirmation any time
between seven and eighteen) is the more common
pastoral practice of today.
- At the same time, various Church documents,
especially the Vatican II document Sacrosanctum
Concilium (SC 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.
III. Confirmation:
Understanding the Theology
- The New Testament
reveals that the
whole life and mission
of Jesus Christ is
lived out in total
communion with the
presence of the Holy
Spirit. The descent
of the Holy Spirit
upon Jesus at his
baptism is the sign
of his anointing
as Messiah. Jesus
promises to send
the Spirit upon the
apostles once he
has completed his
mission, a promise
fulfilled both on
Easter Sunday (Jn
20, 22) and on Pentecost
(Acts 2, 1-4). As
Christ is filled
with the Holy Spirit,
those who are incorporated
into his Body are
also filled with
that same Spirit.
All those who believed
the apostolic preaching
and sought baptism
also received this
outpouring of the
Holy Spirit. The
imposition of hands
by the apostles,
the origin of the
sacrament of confirmation,
became the sacramental
means whereby the
apostles and their
successors transmitted
this great gift of
the Holy Spirit.
Very early on, however,
the anointing with
chrism was added
to this imposition
of hands to better
signify the "sealing" by
the Holy Spirit.
The very name "Christian" evokes
the messianic anointing
in Christ.
- The foundational
sacrament of Christian
initiation is baptism,
which is the door
to the whole of the
sacramental order
and Christian life.
Confirmation deepens
the grace received
in baptism; it completes
and perfects it.
The Eucharist is
the summit of Christian
initiation and the
center of the sacramental
life of the Church.
Confirmation is ordered
to the Eucharist
and prepares the
Christian to receive
and be transformed
by the Body and Blood
of Christ more fully.
- The sacred chrism
which is used for
the anointing in
confirmation is consecrated
by the bishop at
the Chrism Mass.
The liturgy of confirmation
begins with the instruction
of the candidates
and the renewal of
their baptismal promises,
followed by the bishop
extending his hands
over the confirmands
invoking the outpouring
of the Holy Spirit.
By the laying on
of hands, he then
anoints the forehead
(Latin rite) with
the sacred chrism
by the laying on
of hands and saying
the words "Accipe
signaculum doni Spiritus
Sancti" (“Be
sealed with the gift
of the Holy Spirit”).
These words and actions
constitute the essential
element of the rite
of confirmation.
The sign of peace,
a sign of ecclesial
communion, concludes
the rite (cf. CIC
880, RC 22-27, CCC
1298-1301).
- The anointing of
confirmation is rich
in symbolic meaning,
principally signifying
the consecration
of the confirmand
to Christ. By that
anointing, the follower
of Jesus receives
the seal of the Holy
Spirit, an indelible
spiritual mark. The
mark or “character” signifies
one who belongs totally
to Christ and perfects
the common priesthood
of the faithful so
that the confirmed
person can profess
faith in Christ publicly
(CCC 1304-1305).
- The most evident
effect of the sacrament
is the special outpouring
of the Holy Spirit
upon the disciple.
This gift of the
fullness of the Holy
Spirit deepens and
perfects the grace
of baptism in several
ways:
- through a deeper rooting in divine filiation, as an adopted
son or daughter of God.
- through a more firm union with Christ
- through an increase in the gifts of the Holy Spirit
- through a more perfect bond with the Church
- through a special grace to spread and defend the Faith in word
and action as a true witness of Christ (CCC 1302-1303)
With these graces,
the disciple of
Christ is more
fully prepared
to receive his
Body and Blood,
thereby completing
initiation into
the mystery of
Christ and his
Church.
- The perfection
of baptismal grace
found in the sacrament
of confirmation
is not dependent
upon age or knowledge
of the confirmand.
The grace that
is conferred is
a free gift and “does
not need ratification
to become effective” (cf.
CCC 1308). The
common practice
of high school
or middle school
reception of confirmation
could give the
impression that
somehow the sacrament
is merited by virtue
of age or training.
In truth, the sacrament
of confirmation
is an effective
vehicle of grace
at any age as long
as it is validly
conferred. Thus,
those that receive
the sacrament are
able to reap its
benefits from the
moment of reception.
The invisible benefits
of this sacrament
conferred at a
young age could
be of great benefit
to young people
as they grow toward
adolescence and
young adulthood.
- After reflecting
upon the history
and theology of
the sacrament of
confirmation, as
well as upon the
results of our
diocesan discussions,
I have decided,
as your bishop,
to institute a
unified diocesan
policy regarding
the preparation
and celebration
of the sacrament
of confirmation,
which I outline
in the remainder
of this pastoral
letter.
IV.
Policy
- In the Diocese of Fargo, all baptized persons should be appropriately
prepared for and receive the sacrament of confirmation before
the first reception of the Holy Eucharist. This norm is effective
immediately. Of course, a transition period will be necessary
for most of our parishes, especially those with greater numbers
of confirmands. With the assistance of the deans, pastors, directors
of religious education, and the diocesan staff, I will do all
that I can to assist each parish in adopting this policy as smoothly
as possible.
- While
I
ask
that
the
implementation
be
done
as
soon
as
possible,
all
deaneries
should
have
a
plan
in
place
by
the
fall
of
2003.
The
following
timeline
is
to
be
followed:
(a)
Pastors
will
preach
on
the
pastoral
letter
during
the
Sunday
Masses
of
September
8
and
15
of
2002.
(b)
Deans
will
meet
with
the
priests
of
their
deaneries
during
the
Fall
of
2002
through
the
Spring
of
2003
in
order
to
develop
a
plan
for
the
implementation
of
the
policy.
This
plan
should
also
include
a
timeline
for
the
confirmation
of
all
those
who
enter
the
third
grade
and
above
in
the
Fall
of
2003.
The
confirmation
of
these
children
should
take
place
by
the
end
of
2005.
(c)
Beginning in
the
Fall
of
2003,
all
second
graders
in
the
diocese
will
be
prepared
for
the
sacrament
of
reconciliation.
(d)
Beginning in
the
Fall
of
2004,
all
third
graders
will
be
prepared
for
the
reception
of
the
sacrament
of
confirmation
and
First
Eucharist.
The
reception
of
the
sacraments
will
take
place
in
the
Spring
of
2005.
- Many may wonder how the existing religious education programs
will be affected by this change. The Church asks each of us,
no matter what our age or condition, to grow in our faith throughout
our lives. This will entail, therefore, that formal catechesis
be given on an ongoing basis both to adults, as well as to all
those of school age. Parents have the responsibility to ensure
that their children participate in religious education programs
from Kindergarten through twelfth grade, either by attending
our Catholic schools or participating in religious education
programs offered through the local parish. Pastors are to ensure
that a vital program exists in their parish for all levels, kindergarten
through twelfth grade.
- The following sections pertain to persons involved in confirmation
preparation, immediate preparation for the sacrament of confirmation,
the celebration of confirmation and First Eucharist, and finally
will set guidelines for particular situations.
V.
Persons
Involved
in
Confirmation
Preparation
- All baptized Catholics are responsible for the evangelization
and catechetical formation of the entire world. The world needs
the baptized to be witnesses of Jesus Christ both in word and
deed, so that all peoples may be put “not only in touch
but in communion, in intimacy with Jesus Christ” (CT 5,
cf. CCC 900, RCIA, Introduction 9). The life of each one of the
faithful needs to be transformed so that they learn “more
and more within the Church to think like him [Christ], to judge
like him, to act in conformity with his commandments, and to
hope as he invites us to” (CT 20). This transformation into
living images of Christ will enable the faithful to be true witnesses.
In regard to minor children (those who are not yet eighteen),
preparing for the sacrament of confirmation requires a greater
role on the part of the adult faithful.
- Although the child has reached the age of reason and is capable
to be a disciple and witness of Jesus, parents must assist their
child in the life of holiness. The initiation of children into
the sacramental life of the Church is primarily the responsibility
and concern of parents
(CIC 890, RC 3).
- Parents
are the
first teachers
of their
children
in
the
ways
of
faith.
In
baptism,
parents
accept
the
responsibility
of
training
their
children
in
the
practice
of
the
Faith
and
to
make
it "their
constant
care." As
stated
in
the Rite
of
Baptism (n.
120),
parents
are
to
see
that "the
divine
life
which
God
gives
them
[their
children]
is
kept
safe
from
the
poison
of
sin,
to
grow
always
stronger
in
their
hearts."
- Brothers and sisters of the child share in this responsibility
of handing on the Faith. Siblings, especially those who have
been fully initiated, assist the parents by their example. This
family catechesis precedes, accompanies, and enriches all other
catechesis (CT 68).
- The entire family is to deliver the Gospel to each other daily
in word and deed, filled with love and respect: “For this
reason the family home is rightly called the domestic Church,
a community of grace and prayer, a school of human virtues and
of Christian charity” (CCC 1666). The family is nothing
less than a sign and image of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
the Trinity, for our unbelieving world (CCC 2205). Active participation
in the celebration of the Sunday Eucharist, regular reconciliation,
daily family prayer, and Scripture reading enable families to
live the Gospel life of Jesus Christ.
- Every candidate should have a confirmation sponsor. It is desirable
that godparents take on this role to express the increase and
deepening of baptism. In the baptism of infants, godparents represent
both the expanded spiritual family of the one to be baptized
and the role of the Church as mother. As occasion offers, godparents
help the parents so that children will come to profess the Faith
and live up to it (cf. RCIA, General Introduction 8).
- Sponsors
fulfill similar
responsibilities, especially
with the
confirming
of
minor
children.
In
addition,
at
the
time
of
the
rite
of
confirmation,
sponsors
testify
to
the
faith
of
the
candidate
(RCIA,
General
Introduction
9-10).
Parish
priests
are
to
see
that
the
sponsors
are
spiritually
fit
and
meet
the
following
qualifications
(RC
5-6;
cf.
CIC
874,
892-893,
CCC
1311,
RCIA,
General
Introduction
10.2):
- must
be
sixteen
years
old
- may
not
be
the
natural
or
adoptive
parents
of
the
confirmand
- must
be
fully
initiated
into
the
Catholic
Faith
(Baptism,
Confirmation,
and
Eucharist)
- must
be
leading
a
life
in
harmony
with
the
Faith
- must
be
free
of
any
canonical
impediment
- After confirmation, sponsors, along with the parents and siblings,
should continue to assist the child:
- in
leading
a
sacramental
life
and
growing
in
a
life
of
prayer
- in
assuming
the
role
of
disciple
as
a
faithful
follower
and
in
being
a
witness
to
Christ in
every
situation
- in
sustaining
the
candidates
in
moments
of
hesitancy
and
anxiety
- Bishops, beyond all others, are primarily responsible for evangelization
and catechesis. As the chief stewards of the mysteries of God,
they are to foster active and effective catechesis, that is,
to put people not only in touch but in intimacy with Jesus Christ, "to
yield to no other care whatever in any way" (CIC 835, CT
5, 63, RCIA, General Introduction 12).
- Bishops are the ordinary ministers of confirmation. By the
outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, the apostles, the
first bishops, were filled with the Holy Spirit; and they, in
their turn, gave the Holy Spirit to the faithful through the
laying on of hands (cf. CIC 882, CCC 1312-1313, RC 7).
- "Pastors of
souls
and
other
members
of
the
Christian
faithful,
according
to
their
respective
ecclesiastical
function,
have
the
duty
to
take
care
that
those
who
seek
the
sacraments
are
prepared
to
receive
them
by
proper
evangelization
and
catechetical
instruction,
attentive
to
the
norms
issued
by
competent
authority" (CIC
843
§
2).
- Priests are to “devote their best efforts” to catechesis
(CT 64). They have the duty of preparing the parents, sponsors
and children through catechetical, liturgical, and pastoral means.
The pastor must be both an evangelizer and catechist, acting
in accord with diocesan policy and working with the Department
for Catholic Education & Formation. He must establish
a complete evangelization process and catechetical formation
program. These should include:
- providing
for
the
sacramental
lives
of
the
faithful
- supporting
parents
as
the
first
evangelizers
and
catechists
of
their
children
- training
others
to
be
evangelizers
and
catechists
for
the
parish
- providing
supplies,
equipment,
and
facilities
for
catechesis
- enabling
the
entire
community
to
live
out
their
roles
In addition, with regard to the preparation of minor
children for reception of the sacrament of confirmation,
a parish priest should:
- see
that
the
sponsors
are
spiritually
fit
and
meet
the
specified
qualifications
- assure
an
interview
for
each
child
to
assess
their
readiness
and
intention
- provide
the
sacrament
of
reconciliation
for
candidates,
sponsors
and
parents
as
near
to
the
celebration
of
confirmation
as
possible
- provide
for
the
liturgical
needs
at
the
celebration
of
the
sacrament
- Catechists, under the guidance of the pastor, are delegated
to do the work of evangelization and catechesis. They are co-workers
of the Gospel. Catechists formally prepare candidates for the
reception of confirmation and assist the parents, sponsors, priests
and entire parish in carrying out their previously specified
roles. Without catechists, these roles may be neglected or forgotten
entirely.
- At
present, the parish is
the pre-eminent
place for
catechesis (CT
67).
Family
catechesis
should
be
extended
within
this
broader
Christian
home,
the
community
of
the
faithful.
Before,
during
and
after
the
candidates'
preparation
for
the
sacrament
of
confirmation
every
parishioner
should
work
to
create:
- a
community
leading
a
sacramental
life
and
growing
in
a
life
of
prayer
- a
community
demonstrating
the
role
of
disciple
and
witness
to
Christ
in
every
situation
- a
community
willing
to
sustain
one
another
in
moments
of
hesitancy
and
anxiety
- a
community
that
is
welcoming,
where
the
Gospel
is
lived
with
joy
VI.
Preparation
for
the
Sacrament
of
Confirmation
- Preparation for the sacrament of confirmation begins immediately
after the infant is baptized. Parents and older siblings provide
this formation by their participation in the sacraments, through
daily prayer, and by their example of the everyday living of
the Gospel filled with love and respect. Through this family
witness, very young children will see their call to a living
relationship with a loving God.
- For
a child
of the
age of
discretion to
receive
the
sacrament
of
confirmation
(seven
and
above),
the
following
requirements
are
to
be
observed
in
accord
with
the
norms
of
universal
Church
law
(Acts
1,
14;
CIC
889,
CCC
1310
and
1319):
- must
be
baptized
and
not
previously
confirmed
- must
be
Catholic
(children
baptized
in
another
church
must
make
a
profession
of
faith,
be
received
into
the
Church,
be
confirmed
and
receive
First
Eucharist,
and
have
this
event
recorded
in
the
baptismal
registry)
- must
be
in
the
state
of
grace
- must
be
prepared
for
and
celebrate
the
sacrament
of
reconciliation
- must
have
the
intention
of
receiving
the
sacrament
- must
be
properly
instructed
- must
be
capable
of
renewing
the
baptismal
promises
- must
be
prepared
to
assume
the
role
of
disciple
and
witness
to
Christ
- must
have
a
more
intense
prayer
life
to
prepare
to
receive
the
strength
and
graces
of
the
Holy
Spirit
- When
the child
reaches the
age
of
kindergarten,
parents
should
enroll
the
child
in
parish
catechetical
programs
in
the
Catholic
school
or
in
the
parish
religious
education
program;
or
they
should
begin
a
systematic
catechesis
at
home.
At
this
point,
children
should
have
begun:
- to
attend
weekly
catechetical
sessions
from
September
to
May,
(applicable
only
to
those
not
enrolled
in
the
Catholic
school
system)
- to
attend
Mass
on
Sundays
and
holy
days
of
obligation,
accompanied
by
their
parents
and
siblings
- to
continue
memorization
of
prayers
such
as
the
Sign
of
the
Cross,
Our
Father,
Hail
Mary,
Glory
Be,
Mass
parts,
etc.
- to
develop
a
personal
relationship
with
Jesus
Christ
and
his
family,
the
Church
- “Preparation for confirmation should aim at leading the
Christian toward a more intimate union with Christ and a more
lively familiarity with the Holy Spirit—his actions,
his gifts and his biddings—in order to be more capable
of assuming the apostolic responsibilities of Christian life.
To this end, catechesis for confirmation should strive to awaken
a sense of belonging to the Church of Jesus Christ, the universal
Church as well as the parish community” (CCC 1309).
- Given that the first celebration of the sacrament of reconciliation
must be celebrated before confirmation and First Eucharist, a
3-5 hour “retreat” should be planned for parents
and their children, to prepare them to receive God's mercy. This
retreat is intended to be a time to study the Church's teachings
on reconciliation in language suited to the children's age level.
Furthermore, there must be a time of' prayer and practice for
their first celebration of the sacrament of reconciliation. This
sacrament is to be received by the child during second grade.
- Similarly, retreats should be planned for parents, children,
and sponsors in preparation for the sacraments of confirmation
and First Eucharist. These retreats, during the third grade,
are intended to be a time to study the Church's teachings on
confirmation and the Eucharist in language suited to the children's
age level. A time of prayer and practice for the liturgy should
be included in these retreats.
- According to the custom of the Church, those to be confirmed
may take another Christian name (“confirmation name”)
at the time they receive this sacrament. The name must be that
of a biblical, beatified, or canonized person, as recognized
by the Church. In this case, children should be familiar with
the saint/blessed whom they are choosing as a new patron and
be able to articulate how the saint was a faithful witness to
Christ. This may be done orally. A confirmand may, of course,
be confirmed under his or her own baptismal name.
- As a part of the preparation for the sacraments for the respective
children who have not been baptized at the parish preparing them
for confirmation, parents must provide the local pastor with
a recent copy (within the last 6 months) of their child's baptismal
certificate as soon as possible. Children are not to be confirmed
without proof of baptism.
- As indicated above (nos. 25-27), every child is to have one
sponsor, ideally one who served at the time of baptism. Sponsors
should be actively involved in the child's life of faith before,
during, and after confirmation.
- Prior to the celebration of the confirmation, the confirmands'
parish priest or designated catechist should interview each child
to assess his or her readiness and intention for receiving the
sacrament.
- The pastor of those to be confirmed should lead the entire
parish in regular prayer for the confirmands. If the number of
confirmands is not excessive, the parish may even offer public
prayer for them by name. In some cases, pastors have chosen “prayer
partners” for each candidate. These “prayer partners” anonymously
pray for the candidate throughout the preparation time, revealing
their identity to the confirmand after the celebration of the
sacrament. In the Diocese of Fargo, the praiseworthy custom of
a parish novena to the Holy Spirit in the days immediately preceding
the confirmation liturgy has been encouraged for many years.
Formularies for this novena are normally sent to parishes sometime
prior to the celebration.
- A parish may add other requirements or celebrations to the
preparation period for the sacraments of confirmation and First
Eucharist, as long as these requirements do not hinder the rights
of the candidates to receive the sacrament:
- Families
may
be
asked
to
take
a
more
active role
in
the
confirmands'
preparation,
possibly
including:
- daily
family
prayer
time
- family
service
projects
- family
attendance
at
the
annual
Chrism
Mass
- The
pastor
may
choose
to
begin
the
candidates'
immediate preparation
with
a "rite
of
enrollment" such
as
the "Rite
of
Welcome" found
in
the Rite
of
Christian
Initiation of
Adults (nos.
416-433).
The
signing
of
the
senses
and
presentation of
the
Scriptures
may
be
particularly
helpful
in
understanding
the
role
of
the
disciple
and
witness
of Christ.
VII.
Celebration
of
the
Sacrament
of
Confirmation
- In the Diocese of Fargo the celebration of the sacrament of
confirmation is reserved to the bishop, in accord with canonical
and liturgical norms, except as determined by Church law and
diocesan policy (see below).
- In order to maintain the identity of the bishop as celebrant
of confirmation, I ask the deans of the diocese to arrange for
regional celebrations of the sacrament in their particular deanery.
In the next nine months, each dean is to meet with the priests
and directors of religious education in his deanery, in order
to recommend to the bishop a place and time for the celebration
of the sacraments of confirmation and First Eucharist. Through
such an effort, our people will be able to enjoy a fuller liturgical
celebration of the sacrament, as well as gain a deeper sense
of the unity of the diocesan Church. Specifically, I ask that
ceremonies be scheduled for no fewer than thirty confirmands
at any given time, unless local conditions render this requirement
unworkable.
- Moreover, it is desirable that these celebrations occur outside
of the time normally set aside for the Sunday liturgy, so that
weekends are free for the bishop to carry out meaningful visitations
to local parish communities on a systematic basis.
- On the Sunday immediately following the regional celebration
of the sacraments of confirmation and First Eucharist, each parish
will have a special parish celebration for their children.
- The
sacrament of
confirmation is
to
be
conferred
on
the
faithful
at
about
the
age
of
discretion
(CIC
891),
after
the
reception
of
baptism
and
before
the
reception
of
First
Eucharist.
This
will
entail
the
following
sequence
for
the
sacraments:
2nd
grade
preparation
for
and
reception
of
the
sacrament
of
reconciliation;
children
are
to
receive
the
sacrament
of
reconciliation
immediately
preceding
the
celebration
of
confirmation
and
First
Eucharist.
3rd
grade
preparation
for
and
reception
of
confirmation,
followed
by
First
Eucharist
at
the
same
Mass.
The
normal
time
for
the
celebration
of
these
sacraments
will
be
during
the
Easter
Season
of
each
year.
A
set
time
will
be
established
for
the
various
deaneries.
VIII.
Particular
Situations
- By
universal
Church
law,
pastors
and
parish
priests
are
to
confirm
the
baptized,
without
previous
authorization
of
the
local
bishop,
in
the
following
circumstances:
- all
those
in
danger
of
death,
including
infants
*
(CIC 883
§
3)
*
It
should
be
noted
that
infants
and
all
those
below
the
age
of
discretion
are
never
recipients
of
the
sacrament
of
the
anointing
of
the
sick
(CIC 1004-1005).
- all
those
adults,
including
uncatechized
Catholics
or
those
members
of
another
Christian
community,
who
have
been
properly
prepared
catechetically,
liturgically,
and
pastorally
and
are
fully
initiated
at
the
solemn
vigil
of
Easter
(CIC
883
§
2,
RCIA
75)
- all
those
children,
either
baptized
in
another
Christian
community
or
unbaptized,
who
have
reached
catechetical
age
(seven
years
and
above)
and
are
fully
initiated
at
the
solemn
vigil
of
Easter
(RCIA
256,
National
Statutes
for
the
Catechumenate
18)
- By
particular
law
for
the
Diocese
of
Fargo,
pastors
and
parish
priests
are
permitted
to
confirm
the
baptized,
without
previous
authorization
of
the
local
bishop,
in
the
following
circumstances:
- all
those
non-catechized
Catholic
adults,
after
a
suitable
period
of
formal
instruction
(RCIA,
National
Statutes
25-29)
- all
those
adults
who
were
baptized
as
members
of
another
Christian
community,
who
have
undergone
a
suitable
period
of
formal
catechetical
instruction,
and
are
received
into
the
Church
by
some
official
act
outside
of
the
Easter
Vigil
(RCIA,
National
Statutes
30-37)
- all
those
Catholic
adults
preparing
for
the
sacrament
of
marriage
who
are
not
confirmed
and
freely
petition
for
the
sacrament
of
confirmation,
recalling
that
confirmation,
strictly
speaking,
is
not
a
requirement
for
marriage
(CIC
1065
§1)
IX.
Conclusion
- The sacraments are a rich gift given to us by our Savior as
a means of transmitting the divine life to us. The many challenges
of restoring the ancient order of the sacraments of Christian
initiation will be more than rewarded by the many fruits of grace.
I hope by this policy that the true place of the Eucharist as
the summit of that initiation and the source of all Church life
will be more fully recognized in our diocesan family. Please
study this policy carefully, as well as the references on the
sacrament of confirmation in the Catechism
of
the
Catholic
Church .
- On this feast of the Assumption of Mary, I pray that the Holy
Spirit, who overshadowed Mary in her fiat so that the
Word was made flesh in her womb, may guide this change in our
diocese. As the Holy Spirit has filled the hearts of the followers
of Jesus Christ throughout the centuries, so too may his gifts
be enkindled in the hearts of each Catholic in the Church of
Fargo. As on the first Pentecost, when the tongues of fire of
the Holy Spirit fell upon the apostles and our Blessed Mother,
so may this same fire fall upon the Church of Fargo. Through
the intercession of Mary and the Apostles, may each of us become
a more faithful witness to Jesus Christ and proclaim his Good
News to all peoples living in Eastern North Dakota.
Given in Fargo, on August 15, the Solemnity of the Assumption, in the year 2002.
Your brother in Christ,
Most Rev. Samuel J. Aquila, D.D.
Bishop of Fargo
To print this article in pdf format click
here.
References:
Abbreviations
CCC Catechism of the Catholic Church
CIC Codex Iuris Canonici (Code of Canon Law)
CT Pope John Paul II, Catechesi Tradendae (On Catechesis
in Our Time)
RC Rite of Confirmation
RCIA Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults
SC Vatican II, Sacrosanctum Concilium (Constitution
on the Sacred Liturgy)
1 For
the following historical section, cf. R. Cabie, "Christian
Initiation," in A.G. Martimort, The
Church at Prayer, Vol.
III, Liturgical Press, Collegeville, MN, 1988.
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