Last week, Bishop Samuel Aquila of Fargo, N.D., was in Rome for the Minnesota and North and South Dakota bishops’ ad limina visit — in which bishops are required to meet with the Pope every five years to report on the status of their dioceses — with Pope Benedict XVI. During the visit, Bishop Aquila took time to speak about his diocese’s decision, seven years ago, to restore the order of the sacraments of initiation in their proper order as the Catechism has them listed — baptism, confirmation, and First Holy Communion. He estimated that there are approximately 20 to 25 dioceses that have restored the order of those sacraments to “the age of reason,” when persons are deemed to begin to be morally responsible, usually the age of 7.
Bishop Aquila recently spoke to Register senior writer Tim Drake about that decision and what the Holy Father had to say about the restoration.
Tell me about your ad limina visit with Pope Benedict XVI.
We were told before the meeting to prepare a three- to five-minute presentation on a topic within our diocese. Bishop David Kagan of Bismarck [N.D.] spoke on religious liberty and the present attacks. Bishop Robert Gruss of Rapid City, S.D., spoke on Native Americans and said he was looking forward to the canonization of Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha.
Bishop Paul Zipfel spoke as a retired bishop. Bishop Paul Swain of Sioux Falls, S.D., spoke on the use of technology, the Internet and how it impacts the diocese.
I spoke on the restoration of the sacraments of initiation because some of the other bishops in the Dakotas are looking into doing the same thing. The Pope then responded to each of the topics.
How did Pope Benedict respond to your presentation?
He lit up when I mentioned it. I said, “Your Holiness, I want to talk to you about the restoration of the order of the sacraments of initiation for our young people who are baptized Catholic and the placement of the sacrament of confirmation.” He got a huge smile on his face. I shared what we did and why we did it. When I concluded, he said, “This is very good.” He asked me if there were other dioceses that had done it. I told him that there were, with the most recent being the Diocese of Phoenix.
The Holy Father spoke about the East and the early Church and how they had always kept the order. We talked about the primacy of the Eucharist and the proper placement of the sacrament with regard to the Eucharist. He asked if I had spoken to other bishops about it because he said it was “very important.” I told him that I had. He said, “I have desired this.”
What other dioceses are considering a restoration?
All of the dioceses within our province have mentioned it at some point.
Prior to the restoration of the order in the Diocese of Fargo were you aware of other dioceses that had done the same thing?
I was aware of other dioceses in the Pacific Northwest and in Texas that had done it. My interest came primarily after my sacramental studies from 1987 to 1990 at San Anselmo in Rome. I understood the wisdom and desire of the Church in the ordering of the sacraments and the practice in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) for children above the age of 7 to be baptized, confirmed and receive first Eucharist all in the same liturgy at the Easter vigil.
What are some of the problems with the way the sacrament of confirmation is ordered in most dioceses?
It’s really problematic when it’s left for the high school years, and it can become a real abuse of the sacrament. Faith formators want to keep it there because it keeps young people in religious education, and they feel that more seeds can be sown. However, because teens are often in their rebellious years, it can build up seeds of resentment towards the sacrament.
Pope Benedict XVI asked what my experience had been between the difference of children in third grade vs. those of an older age receiving the sacrament. The week prior I had celebrated a make-up confirmation for those who had moved into the area or who had fallen through the cracks and not received the sacrament. We had about 50 confirmands between fourth grade up to 24 years of age. They were all lined up by age, and a professional photographer was there to take photos as I asked them questions.
The photographer said that all of the younger kids had their hands up, eager to answer the questions. The older students didn’t want to answer questions. Younger confirmands are like little sponges. They’re very receptive.
What have been the main criticisms of restoring the order?
Part of the criticism comes from catechists and faith formators who think it is too early for young people to receive the sacrament of confirmation. To me, that is absurd. If they’re old enough to receive reconciliation and the Eucharist, they are old enough to receive confirmation.
The reaction, primarily from directors of religious education, has been a fear that parents and their children will fall out of religious education after confirmation. They see confirmation at an older age as a way of keeping them in.
Certainly, there are some parents who do drop out, but it is the parents’ responsibility to keep children in faith formation. Part of the New Evangelization is reaching the parents now, who were formed over the past 40 years, when we had poor catechesis. We have to help them be the ones who live their faith and set the example for their children. We have had parents who were skeptical at first who say they get it now.
The restoration makes sense to them, and they better understand their role as parents. The question is: How are we keeping both the parents and the children involved in faith formation and continuing to form their hearts?
It has been seven years since you restored the order of the sacraments. What effects have you seen from the restoration?
The effects, I think, vary. We had a very good youth program before, and we continue to build on that. Certainly, within our junior high and high school here, in talking with teachers, they say they have noticed a real difference in young people, in terms of their receptivity to the Church’s teachings. They pay more attention to the teachings and have a real interest in learning about the Church. There is also a natural outflow of community service and pro-life service.
Our high school has now started attending the March for Life in Washington, D.C., which is something they had not done before. About 90 high-school students went this past January, in addition to a second group of students from across the diocese. There are also more young people praying outside the local abortion business.
Parents, too, seem much more receptive when their children receive the sacrament in third grade rather than high school. In high school, the parental attitude seems to be more to let the students decide for themselves.
Register senior writer Tim Drake writes from St. Joseph, Minnesota.
Benjamin Wiker: Benedict XVI: Doctor of the Church
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I understand now why our children should be confirmed at an earlier age. Thank you!
I’m sorry, but isn’t the whole POINT of Confirmation that the child is choosing for themselves? That is a good thing. They get a choice and take ownership of their faith! They moved Confirmation from grade 8 to grade 6 in my area many years ago and I was against it then, and I’m against it now that I am a parent. Its not about getting more people confirmed, its about ensuring those that are confirmed understand it and own it.
I feel compelled to write about the lack of reverence that is given to the reception of the Holy Eucharist.I attend daily mass as often as possible. I was extremely affected by the preaching of Monsignor Paul Bradley now deceased.Msgr. Bradley would not distribute The Host in the hand right up until his death in 2005.He spoke of someone who took The Host and placed a large number of the Hosts in a dresser drawer. I most recently found a Host in a bookshelf in a pew where I was sitting.I always receive The Holy Eucharist on the tongue and would kneel if I could without holding up the Communion line.Sincerely Mark conley
I wish my diocese, the Archdiocese of San Antonio would do this. We wait till they turn 18. Many have dropped out of the Church or have gotten pregnant before they reach the age of confirmation. They need the grace of the sacrament to get them safely to adulthood. I think lowering the age will help remind cathetical teachers that ALL ages need to continue in Christian education, formation and Bible study and not just children.
I think this is a great idea. I help teach confirmation to 8th graders and I can see that we are only reaching about half of them. Many of the others think after confirmation they have graduated out of the religious education program and no longer have to come, even to Mass! I think having the seal of the Holy Spirit at an earlier age can only be a helpful thing for them as they enter the more sceptical years. Perhaps the junior high years can focus more on service projects and youth activities that will excite them for their faith.
I thought I would comment on this so that you can hear the other side of this issue. 7 years ago when you first implemented this new order of sacraments we were attending a church in the Fargo Diocese. My son was just about ready to receive his first communion and had been struggling learning the necessary material to complete that. When this order came down, he continued to struggle with the influx of info. He fought going to church, he fought religion. It was very exhausting. He was not ready. I kept at this for 2 years and finally quit. I found a church near us in the Bismarck diocese and with great relief found out they still followed the old format. My son received his First Communion in the fourth grade and 3 years later started on classed for Confirmation. He is now the one who encourages us to attend church. He is religious and does his best to follow God’s beliefs for him. Not every child is ready at the age of reasoning to learn, believe and follow God’s wishes. Now it is my daughter’s turn to go through the process. She is in confirmation classes in 6th grade and the difference I see between my son and daughter is that she doesn’t have the concern and attention she should be giving it. It is just another thing being foisted upon her. I think had she been a couple years older she would give it the importance it deserves. I don’t thing that the younger kids get the importance of confirmation and just treat it as another thing they have to do for church. I am really happy we changed diocese and hope the Bismarck diocese stays wise.
This is long overdue! I find it a joke when it comes to confirming older children in a sacrament that they do not want, are not interested in, and could care less about! When will our American bishops wake up to the reality of the times? Parents are opposed and the kids could care less!The current mentality is: get-in, get-done, and get-out! Sadly far too many stop coming to Mass once they are confirmed! I APPLAUD the Bishop of Fargo, ND, for moving Confirmation BACK to the lower grades! I went through this nonsense in the 60’s and 70’s and it proved to be almost a total failure! Sadly, the ‘politics’ of our bishops prevent the Church in the U.S. from making a bold statement and change.
I whole heartedly agree that many kids, if not most are just not ready for the influx of information at this tender age. I was forced to do it earlier and was robbed of the experience of truly accepting it for myself. I agree 18 is way too old, but the purpose is lost if a kid is clueless about what they are really doing. When you do it young, it appears as though you are just doing it to get it done.
What accomoddations would be made for those with special needs? My oldest is autistic and very language delayed. While he received his first communion at age 7 and has gone to a first “confession” how would he handle confirmation? He simply doesn’t have sufficient language comprehension skills to go through the process yet at the age of 15. However, he has learned to treat communion with reverance and insists on receiving every Sunday and I do believe that it gives him much grace. Should we deny those who lack comprehension the body and blood of Christ who died for them too?... Then again, I was confirmed as an infant and have absolutely no memory of it. So how much education does confirmation entail then? Very confusing.
Jennifer, that is a common misunderstanding. Confirmation is not about us choosing for ourselves. It is about the Holy Spirit sealing us. Placing a seal on us, as in taking full ownership. Historically, Baptism and Confirmation were celebrated together (and still are for anyone baptized after 7 years old). Baptism and Confirmation were separated when Christianity was spreading fast. This allowed the local priests to baptize anyone who wanted to join the Church, and reserved Confirmation to the bishops who would visit periodically for that purpose.
I read above comments about “what the children know” or “how the parents feel” in relation to being ready or too young. Well, re-focus a little. Confirmation is not about what the kid does, knows, feels or thinks. The Child (or adult) is a participant of Confirmation, they are not Confirmation. The action at Confirmation (sealing of Baptism) is done by Christ not the kid, not the priests, nor is it the parents. Oh and it’s not a choice it’s a Sacrament. Even though we treat it today that we are “standing to confirm that we want to be Christian.” That is a bit backwards, if that were true, then shouldn’t Baptism also be moved to a point where the child/adult can choose to be Christian or not - of course not. Again, it’s not our action of confirming anything that make the Sacrament take place - it’s Christ! The focus should (as with any sacrament) shouldn’t be on the participant, but how Christ is working in that person’s life. Yes, a person should be willing to receive the Sacrament, but the Sacrament is not changed (if so, there would be thousands of versions of Confirmation because we all act differently to it), the person changes through receiving the Sacrament. And to say that Christ cannot act in a young child is limiting Jesus and his abilities. Get past the age and focus back on Christ.
Some of the Saints were very young children. Children are more spiritually open and able to understand than most adults believe. Jesus said, “Let the children come to me”. The longer we wait to confirm children, the more time the devil has to harden their hearts. My own very bright son was in a spiritual struggle at age 2 and 5 months. When he learned that God could do as He pleased (Daniel 4:35), while his mother was insisting that he pick up his toys and put them away and take naps whether he wanted to or not, he burst into tears (to my surprise). Big tears rolled down his cheeks and dripped on the floor. When I asked if it bothered him that God was so powerful, he shook his head to say yes. When I asked if my son would like to be that powerful, he shook is head yes—tears dripping off his face. I explained that it was better that God should have all that power because he was unselfish and would use it for the good of everyone. Then, I read him a children’s story and put him down for a nap. I was surprised that he went right to sleep—and there was a tear in the corner of one eye. Later, after his father got home, I was telling him about the incident and saying that it bothered Tim that God was so powerful. Tim shook his head emphatically to say NO! I asked him if he had changed his mind since the incident. He shook his head emphatically to say YES with a big smile. Some years later, when he could verbally express himself, he explained that on that day—after I put him down for a nap—he decided to let God control the world while he took a nap instead of staying awake and controlling the world (as a 2 year old saw it). From then on, he never fought taking his nap—but he was a strong-willed child on many other issues.
He did not believe in Calvinism and would not accept confirmation in a Presbyterian Church after he took the classes. Eventually, he was confirmed in his 20s in the RC Church—as have I been.
I’ve lost count of the people who think Catholicism is a load of lying trash (and worse), & who say “I was in Catholic school for 12 years”. In the UK, the lapsation rate among teenagers leaving school is 90%. I’ll give that percentage again: it is ninety, nine zero, percent. This is not bad - it is a disgrace. The fact is, that Catholic schools are atheism factories - if you want your children to lose faith, for God’s sake, make sure they go to a Catholic school; they will be burned-out cases for sure. And part of the problem is that the sacraments are being fed into them, when they have little or no appreciation of what going on. Matters are not improved in the slightest by the tendency of their relatives to treat Confirmation as a rite of passage. In the NT, people were baptised in adulthood, after they had made a conscious descision to believe the Gospel - something the very young cannot do. The problem with infant baptism is that the infant is not free to believe the Gospel - only those who have grown up somewhat can do that. The result is that the Church is full of baptised unbelievers, who have never been free to reject a creed they find childish & nonsensical. This is intolerable. And it will guarantee that the much-touted New Evangelisation may be a nice idea, but a complete & utter disaster, for a Church composed very largely of unbelievers without a spirit of faith cannot communicate a Gospel many in it do not in any way believe.
I am not in favor of this change. I have been a DRE for 32 years. I can see the level of maturity in the students in grades 2 and 3. Some are barely able to grasp the concept of Reconciliation and Eucharist. They would never survive if they needed to prepare for Confirmation, also. Neither would the parents. In our small program, I am afraid the majority would never continue in religious education to learn the necessary things to live life as a good practicing Catholic. We confirm in grade 10. By that time, they have learned the sacraments, commandments, about the church and bible, and have learned the reason for the sacrament of Confirmation.
this is not about information….the rites teach by mystagogy, that is by teh experience fo teh sacrament….since baptism is the first sacrament and that is given to infants trusting that grace teaches…..does so much info being given serve our needs or the sacraments which are shared by the community as part of the nurturing of our members who nurture our young members int eh life of the Christ throught eh shring of the sacraments, deeping their relationship witht he lord, and being committed to life-long faith formation…..there is sense that those who are baptized ahve a right to complete their initiation…..confirmation out in the middle of no where has presented the church with the situation it did not ever envision…so many peopel not fully initiated…the response was a bad one: taching confirmation is not necessary for salvation and that (gasp!) confirmation is not needed to be married (a sacrament of vocation in the Church)....no one would ever be welcomed to religious life or orders without completing initiation…why marriage? and then there is all that wailing about the problems with marriage…will not be so naive as to say that is the cause of not taking marriage seriously, but it certainly doesn’t help….....sacraments are gifts of God through teh Church, not items to be earned like scout badges…they are celebrations of the community and and not individual choices…...we forget that it “is not about me” then the sacraments, precious mysteries that tehy are, are experienced as the saving and recreating action of the Holy trinty…..
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