During the Easter season, our parish has had the joy of initiating a number of children into the faith. Praise the Lord for the work He has done and continues to do in them! These children participated in a process called “Becoming Catholic for Children”. Any child who has reached a catechetical age (e.g. a child over the age of 7) and who is unbaptized goes through this process in order to prepare for all three sacraments of initiation: Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist.

Some people may wonder how an unbaptized child over age 7 is able to receive some of the sacraments of initiation “out of order” or “early”. For example, an unbaptized first grade student may be 7 years old and eligible to receive the sacraments of Eucharist and Confirmation at the Easter Vigil, even though their peers typically receive these sacraments in second grade and eighth grade, respectively. Why not have the student prepare for baptism now, and then wait until the “normal times” to prepare for Eucharist and Confirmation?

The answer has to do with the rights of the child being baptized. Once a child has reached a catechetical age (e.g “the age of reason” or 7 years old), he or she has a right to all of the sacraments of initiation. So when an unbaptized child wants to become Catholic, he or she has a right not only to Baptism but also to Eucharist and Confirmation.

Given this explanation, you may wonder why Catholic children who were baptized as infants have to wait until eighth grade to be confirmed. This answer has to do with who the “ordinary minister” of the sacrament is. In the Roman Rite, the diocesan bishop is the ordinary minister of Confirmation. A parish priest does not have permission to confirm anyone unless the person is over age 7 and is getting baptized or making a profession of faith. In other words, a priest cannot confirm someone unless they are over age 7 and becoming Catholic. The Bishop of Cleveland has said that the sacrament of Confirmation will be celebrated between 7th and 11th grades, which is how we’ve arrived at the tradition of celebrating Confirmation in 8th grade at St. Francis de Sales.

Ultimately, the sacraments are mysteries. It’s important for us to prepare for them according to our abilities when we are eligible to receive them. We should approach the sacraments with a desire to receive all the graces that God wants to offer us through the ministry of His Church.

To conclude, if you or someone you know is interested in becoming Catholic, please call the parish office at 330-644-2225. A priest or a member of the parish staff will call you and set up a meeting with you to hear your story.

God bless you!
Abby Gresser