Sarah Mitchell
The age at which Catholic boys are confirmed varies according to different rites and traditions within the Catholic Church. In the Eastern Churches, including those in union with the Holy See, infants receive confirmation as part of the sacraments of initiation. In the Latin rite, confirmation typically occurs later, with some sources suggesting the age of seven as ideal, while others propose ages ranging from 11 to 18 or even older. The Code of Canon Law states that confirmation should be conferred on the faithful at about the age of discretion, unless a different age has been decided by the episcopal conference or in cases of grave reasons, such as the danger of death. The age of discretion, also referred to as the age of reason, is traditionally understood to be around seven years old.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Age of confirmation in the Eastern Churches | Infants |
| Age of confirmation in the Western tradition | 11-12 or teenage |
| Age of confirmation in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia | Grades 7 and 8 |
| Age of confirmation in Latin-rite Catholics | 12-17 |
| Age of confirmation as per the Catechism of the Council of Trent | After the age of 7 |
| Age of confirmation as per the Code of Canon Law | Age of discretion (traditionally understood to be 7) |
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What You'll Learn
Confirmation in the Eastern Church
Confirmation is one of the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church and one of the three sacraments of initiation, the other two being Baptism and First Communion. It is a sacrament of initiation that completes baptism through sealing in the Holy Spirit. Confirmation is viewed as a sacrament of Christian maturity and a deepening of baptismal grace, uniting the recipient more firmly with Christ.
In the Eastern Catholic Churches, confirmation is called "Chrismation" with holy Myron. It is normally administered by the parish priest, using olive oil consecrated by a bishop. In the Eastern Church, confirmation takes place immediately after baptism, which is usually when the recipient is an infant. The sacrament does not require the anointing to be made by the imposition of the hand.
In the Latin Church, confirmation is conferred on the faithful at about the age of discretion, generally taken to be around seven years old, or in early adolescence. In the 20th century, young people were confirmed anywhere from 11 to 12 years old or well into their teen years. Confirmation in the Latin Church is usually administered by a bishop, but can also be conferred by a presbyter.
The practice of the Eastern Churches emphasizes the unity of Christian initiation, while the Latin Church emphasizes the communion of the new Christian with the bishop. The Western Church separated confirmation from baptism to re-establish direct contact between the person being initiated and the bishops. In the early Church, the bishop administered all three sacraments of initiation, but when adults no longer formed the majority of those being baptized, confirmation was delayed until the bishop could confer it.
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Confirmation in the Western Church
Confirmation is one of the seven sacraments instituted by Christ, which confers sanctifying grace and strengthens the union between the individual and God. In the Western Church, confirmation is not usually celebrated at the same time as baptism, unlike in the Eastern Churches.
Historically, the age of confirmation varied in the Western Church. Until the 20th century, young people were typically confirmed anywhere from 11 to 12 years old or well into their teen years. However, some dioceses are now returning to confirmation before first communion, with children as young as seven or eight being confirmed.
In the Western Church, confirmation is typically administered by a bishop, who ordains priests, and confirmation is seen as the ordination of the laity. In the Latin rite (Roman Catholic Church), Pope Pius XII granted special permission for priests to confirm under specific circumstances. Similarly, in the Spanish and Portuguese colonies, priests were allowed to confirm infants at the time of baptism from the early 1600s.
The sacrament of confirmation is considered necessary for the completion of baptismal grace. The individual being confirmed is sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit and strengthened in their faith journey. In some regions, the person chooses a saint's name as their confirmation name, adopting that saint as their patron.
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The age of discretion
Confirmation is a major source of grace and a necessity for one's future life in the Catholic Church. The Code of Canon Law states that the sacrament of confirmation is to be conferred on the faithful at about the "age of discretion". The age of discretion is also referred to as the "age of reason", which the Church has traditionally understood to be seven years old. However, the Code of Canon Law also states that the administration of the Most Holy Eucharist to children requires that they have "sufficient knowledge and careful preparation".
In the Latin rite of the Church, which includes about 99% of Catholics worldwide, confirmation is not typically given at the same time as First Communion. Confirmation may be administered at the age of reason or after. Across the United States, the typical age range for confirmation is 12 to 17 years old. In the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, confirmation is received in the 7th and 8th grades. In the Eastern Churches, both Orthodox and those in union with the Holy See, the sacraments of baptism, Eucharist, and chrismation (confirmation) are all administered to infants.
The Catechism of the Council of Trent states that the sacrament can be administered to all persons after baptism but that this is not expedient before the use of reason. It adds that it is most fitting that the sacrament be deferred until the child is seven years old. However, under certain circumstances, such as danger of death or when the opportunity to receive the sacrament is rare, even younger children may be confirmed. In the Greek Church and in Spain, infants are now confirmed immediately after baptism, as was the tradition in earlier times.
The age of confirmation has shifted over time. Until the 20th century, young people aged anywhere from 11 to 12 or well into their teen years were confirmed. The change to earlier confirmation began after 1910. Some argue for later confirmation so that the communicant can understand what is happening and so that the need to go to confirmation classes can rekindle faith in families that have fallen away from the church. While some prefer confirmation to happen at a younger age, around 14 to 16, so that the pre-teens can have all the graces of confirmation and the Gifts of the Holy Spirit at their disposal to prepare them for what happens in high school.
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The age of reason
Historically, the age of reason has been understood to be around seven years old. This belief is based on the Catechism of the Council of Trent, which states that the sacrament of confirmation can be administered to individuals after baptism but is not considered necessary for salvation. It further suggests that confirmation should be deferred until a child reaches the age of reason, as it equips them with the necessary tools to defend their faith.
However, the specific age for confirmation has varied across different traditions and regions. In the Eastern Churches, including Orthodox and those in union with the Holy See, infants receive confirmation as part of the sacraments of initiation, which also include baptism and the Eucharist. On the other hand, in the Western tradition, confirmation typically occurred later, with young people being confirmed anywhere from 11 to 12 years old or even into their teen years.
In modern times, the age for confirmation has continued to be a subject of debate within the Catholic Church. While some dioceses confirm children at a younger age, others wait until the teens. The Code of Canon Law states that confirmation should be conferred on the faithful at about the age of discretion, unless a different age has been determined by the episcopal conference or in cases of grave reasons, such as the danger of death.
The ideal age for confirmation considers both theological and pastoral perspectives. From a theological standpoint, confirmation ideally occurs right after baptism or as early as possible to grant individuals the seal and graces needed to live a Catholic life. On the other hand, a pastoral perspective argues for a later confirmation, allowing the individual to better understand the sacrament and providing an opportunity to rekindle faith within families.
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Confirmation before Communion
The age at which Catholic boys are confirmed varies across different traditions and dioceses. In the Eastern Churches, Orthodox Christians and those in union with the Holy See receive confirmation as infants, together with baptism and the Eucharist (First Communion). In the Western tradition, confirmation and First Communion come later, usually in adolescence or adulthood.
Historically, young people in the Western Church were confirmed anywhere from 11 to 12 years old or well into their teen years. In recent times, the trend has been towards earlier confirmation, with some dioceses confirming boys and girls in the seventh and eighth grades.
The Code of Canon Law states that confirmation should be conferred on individuals at about the "age of discretion", unless a different age has been decided by the episcopal conference, there is a danger of death, or there is another grave reason to bring it forward. The Church has traditionally understood the age of reason to be seven years old, so confirmation can take place from the age of eight onwards.
Confirmation is a major source of grace and a necessity for one's future life in the Church. It is a coming-of-age ceremony, marking the point at which individuals take responsibility for their faith and actions. It is usually celebrated together with, or just prior to, first reception of the Eucharist (First Communion). Confirmation rituals involve the laying on of hands by the priest, as well as anointing with holy oils. Prior to being confirmed, individuals typically attend a series of classes to learn about the sacrament, their faith, and their Catholic responsibilities.
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Frequently asked questions
The age of confirmation for Catholic boys varies. In the Latin rite of the Church, confirmation may be administered at the age of reason or after. In the Eastern rite, confirmation is administered to infants. Across the United States, the typical age range for confirmation is 12 to 17 years old.
The age of reason is typically understood to be seven years old.
Yes, the age of confirmation has changed over time. Until the 20th century, young people aged anywhere from 11 to 12 or well into their teen years were confirmed. More recently, some people have argued for confirmation to take place between the ages of 14 and 16.
