By Kate Quiñones
CNA Staff, Dec 19, 2024 / 05:15 am
The Diocese of Baton Rouge recently announced a significant change by lowering its confirmation age. This decision comes on the heels of the Diocese of Salt Lake City modifying its process for youth converts to ensure thorough catechesis.
These developments reflect a growing commitment to enhance the formation of youth in the Catholic faith. Tim Glemkowski, the leader of Amazing Parish, a ministry that supports Catholic pastors and helps parishes thrive, highlighted the challenges young adults face in maintaining their Catholic identity in today’s culture.
“The pressures of the culture are away from, not toward, religious belief and practice,” Glemkowski told CNA. “It is fair to say that our culture, broadly speaking, does not lend itself to preconditions.”
Recognizing the need to address the proper formation of youth in this cultural context, many dioceses have opted to lower the confirmation age, with some moving it to middle school or even earlier. Examples include the Archdiocese of Seattle (seventh grade), the Boston Archdiocese (eighth grade), and the Archdiocese of Denver (third grade before receiving communion).
The practice of requiring confirmation before communion, known as “the restored order,” aligns with the Church’s original instruction of dispensing the sacraments of initiation in the order of baptism, confirmation, and then first communion. The U.S. bishops permit confirmation for youth between ages 7 and 17.
A study by St. Mary’s Press and the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate at Georgetown University (CARA) revealed that the median age at which individuals leave the Church is 13 years old.
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A recent study has shed light on the reasons why many former Catholics left the faith during their teenage years. It was found that a significant number of individuals who left the Catholic Church between the ages of 10 and 20 had questions about their faith as children but never had the opportunity to discuss their doubts with their parents or Church leaders.
According to Glemkowski, a key factor in retaining young Catholics in the faith is ensuring that they have the opportunity to pray sincerely, have their questions about the faith answered comprehensively, and are exposed to the Gospel in a way that allows them to respond to God with their whole being.
He emphasizes the importance of showcasing young saints who serve as examples of holiness and heroic mission, highlighting the potential of children to lead lives of great faith and purpose.
Facing Challenges in a Hostile Culture
In response to the challenges presented by an increasingly secular culture, the Diocese of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, recently made the decision to lower the age of confirmation to seventh grade.
Bishop Michael Duca of Baton Rouge expressed concerns about the hostile environment that young people are exposed to, particularly through social media, which often conflicts with Catholic teachings and values.
To address these challenges, Duca believes that lowering the age of confirmation will provide young Catholics with the grace and strength necessary to navigate the complexities of the modern world.
The Diocese has initiated a gradual transition plan to implement the change, recognizing the importance of empowering young Catholics to embrace their faith and fulfill their mission as members of the Church.
As Bishop Duca aptly puts it, the sacrament of confirmation equips individuals with the gifts and enthusiasm needed to engage in the mission of Christ and work towards the renewal of the world.
By revisiting the age at which confirmation is received, the Church hopes to better prepare young Catholics to face the challenges of today’s society and live out their faith with conviction and purpose.
Join us on this journey of faith and discovery as we explore the ways in which the Church is adapting to meet the needs of young Catholics in an ever-changing world!
