Matt 19:14 – Jesus clearly says the kingdom of heaven also belongs to children. For them, it is nurture for baptism, for becoming members of the Church, and for confirmation. Perhaps there is no single, perfect age for confirmation and profession of faith. (877) 899-2780, Discipleship Ministries is an agency of The United Methodist Church© 2021 Discipleship Ministries. 1214 This sacrament is called Baptism, after the central rite … In a letter to an opponent, St. Cyprian of Carthage wrote: As to what pertains to the case of infants: You [Fidus] said that they ought not to be baptized within the second or third day after their birth, that the old law of circumcision must be taken into consideration, and that you did not think that one should be baptized and sanctified within the eighth day after his birth. Nashville, TN 37212 An expansion on the answer: According to United Methodist teaching, any age is appropriate for baptism since all persons stand in need of God's grace. The rest are expected and sometimes forced to commit suicide by taking part in a "Quietus" (Council-sanctioned mass drownings) at the age of 60. So how does confirmation relate to the question of age? allow[s] us to hope that there is a way of salvation for children who have died without baptism,” it also points out that “all the more urgent is the Church’s call not to prevent little children coming to Christ through the gift of holy baptism” (CCC 1261). A non-Catholic person may not be a godparent at a Catholic baptism. Sometimes United Methodists use the word confirmation as reference to the class or preparatory time before the ritual of confirmation. If parents know their obligation but are being thwarted by parish employees in scheduling the sacrament for their newborn, they should persevere, perhaps by calling their diocese for assistance in finding a priest or deacon willing to work with them. A child who has reached the age of reason and has been confirmed may be a godparent. To find out more about this dimension of congregational life, click here. In Christendom (from the fourth century to the modern period when the church occupied a central place in Western culture), baptism of infants was assumed. The minister of Baptism may decide that there is a just reason why a person who is not yet 16 may be godparent. Earlier this year, a video of a child’s baptism went viral when an elderly French priest, frustrated that the child was bawling and resisting the priest’s ministrations, smacked the child across the face. 3:21). to the public outrage, the bishop suspended the priest from celebrating baptisms and marriages, and the priest will only be allowed to celebrate Mass publicly with permission. Confirmation is both a strengthening sign enacted by the church and a profession of faith by the person. [Cf. Adult baptism is the norm when the Church is in a missionary situation, reaching out to persons in a culture which is indifferent or hostile to the faith. Correlation with The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) 1253: Baptism is the sacrament of faith. Only a practicing Catholic who meets the qualifications of a confirmed Catholic, age 16 or older, and has received the Sacrament of the Eucharist, may be a godparent or sponsor for baptism. The godparents must be Catholic (either Latin Rite or Eastern Rite), over the age of 16, confirmed and practicing the Catholic religion (c. 874, 1). The Council of Trent in 1565 stated the “age of reason” as right for Confirmation. . A time of preparation may continue through junior high and into the high school years. . Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany, Year B, Follow Me! 1. Laying on of hands as a confirming sign was left for later, partially because only the bishop could confirm and he might not be available until sometime later. Our official paper. If you think that there is an age restriction for catholic baptism, you are wrong. Mk 16:16.] Lutherans practice infant baptism because they believe that God mandates it through the instruction of Jesus Christ, "Go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19)", in which Jesus does not set any age limit… "The ritual of the baptismal covenant included in. Or at twenty-one? Godparents must have received the Sacraments of Baptism, 1st Eucharist, and Confirmation. I couldn’t find reports of the child’s age, but in the video the child appears to be about one year old. or at Easter . This means we were … The First Communion generally takes place when a child is around 7 or 8 years of age. The Church and the parents would deny a child the priceless grace of becoming a child of God were they not to confer baptism shortly after birth (CCC 1250). . If a child is born to believing parents, then baptism is clearly indicated. The sacrament is a powerful expression of the reality that all persons come before God as no more than helpless infants, unable to do anything to save ourselves, dependent upon the grace of our loving God. Facts about Catholic Baptism 2: the person who conducts the baptism. That said, the Church’s law on age limits for ordination doesn’t directly address John’s question. Does a child whose parents are not married have the right to be baptised in the Catholic … As Cyprian stated back in the third century, “We all judge that the mercy and grace of God ought to be denied to no man born.”, of a child’s baptism went viral when an elderly French priest, frustrated that the child was bawling and resisting the priest’s ministrations, smacked the child across the face. Third Sunday after the Epiphany, Year B - Lectionary Planning Notes, Follow Me! . Perhaps there is no single, perfect age for confirmation and profession of faith. Just as parents are solemnly warned to take baptism for infants seriously, those who administer the sacraments also should be reminded that the Catechism includes an admonition to them not to delay baptism: The Church and the parents would deny a child the priceless grace of becoming a child of God were they not to confer baptism shortly after birth (CCC 1250, emphasis added). I once heard 16, but can a 15½-year-old, confirmed Catholic be a godparent? We strongly urge you to become familiar with the official paper, By Water and the Spirit: A United Methodist Understanding of Baptism, available in The United Methodist Book of Resolutions. Unnoticed during the uproar was the age of the child. Or in the ninth grade? For parents who are expecting a child, infant baptism should be one of the first things they plan for after the baby’s birth—and that means preparing for baptism before birth. In the current ritual in our hymnal and book of worship, these separated actions have been reunified in "Services of the Baptismal Covenant." We have to take into account the fact we have Catholic converts who are choosing to become Catholic therefore if they have children who are not infants, they may chose to baptize their children at whatever age their children are at the time. You can’t just go around baptizing whoever you like. By Water and the Spirit uses the imagery of the roles persons of differing ages play in a family: And so, congregations and families should consider the maturity of young people in light of the longer journey into adulthood as they plan for the ritual of confirmation. . Dear Friend in Christ, A child who has reached the age of reason and has been confirmed may be a godparent. In a culture that is increasingly unfamiliar with Christian experience and practice, the church needs to be ready to befriend, counsel, and encourage adults to become disciples and to be baptized. Cyprian saw no need for unnecessary delay in baptizing a child and thus denying him the grace necessary for salvation (1 Pet. The parents will be told that they can only have their child baptized after taking a class—for which they aren’t allowed to register until after the baby is born. Can he or she be part of the "confirmation preparation"? . This is designed to ensure that the parents truly intend to raise their child in the Catholic faith—an intention that must be present if the priest is to agree to perform the baptism (c. 868.1 n. 2). The Church assigned 16 as the general norm, but your priest can decide if the child chosen to be a godparent is mature enough to handle the responsibility. . Includes rules that are to be observed for the First Communion of children. Or they’ll be informed that they can’t have the baby baptized unless they’re registered members of the parish. Perhaps the important thing is recognition on everyone's part that salvation and baptismal living is a lifelong process. Or thirty-five? A baptized infant comes to profess her or his faith later in life, after having been nurtured and taught by parent(s) or other responsible adults and the community of faith. There is no age limit, but infants are generally baptized between three and six months old. Although canon law doesn’t specifically define a time frame beyond “a few weeks,” it seems reasonable to conclude that if the time stretches beyond seven weeks then we start counting the baby’s age in months. The baptizing of a person, whether as an infant or an adult, is a sign of God's saving grace. Dear Catholic Exchange: How old can a person be to qualify as godparent? All stand in need of it and none can be saved without it. As faith is a necessary component in any baptism, a person in the age of reason must want to be baptized. Contact your pastor or other church staff for more information about the preparation and timing for confirmation in your congregation. However, parents and godparents are required to take instruction, as are individuals being baptized who are more than 7 years old. If your child is of catechetical age (around age seven), he or she should celebrate Baptism as part of the other form of Catholic Baptism, Christian Initiation of Children. He sits up on his own in the arms of the woman holding him, which would mean that at the time of the baptism he was much older than a few weeks. In the early Church, there was a controversy over whether baptism should be delayed until the eighth day after a child’s birth, the idea being that baptism on the eighth day would call to mind infant circumcision as a sign of entry into God’s covenant. (By Water and the Spirit). . We offer Baptism classes here at St. John’s Cathedral. Can a Non-Catholic be a witness? or at Christmas . Infant baptism and the baptism of adults are both appropriate, depending on the circumstances. 3:21). In our council it seemed to us far otherwise. catholic baptism age limit 1 min read The baptism does not need to be performed by a priest; any baptized Christian (even a non-Catholic) can perform a valid baptism. . Youth who were not baptized as infants share in the same period of preparation for profession of Christian faith. Baptism already celebrated that! What Is the Appropriate Age for Baptism and for Confirmation? View staff by program area to ask for additional assistance. There is one baptism as there is one source of salvation — the gracious love of God. Wonderfully Made and Difficult Conversations. My daughter was born on June 23rd and I havent made any plans yet. I was hoping our oldest child could be godparent to our newest baby. So how does confirmation relate to the question of age? Are youth ready to signify their lifelong discipleship in the sixth grade? Each child brought forward for baptism must also have at least one godparent who is a confirmed, practicing Catholic age 16 or older. A Baptism can take place in the context of Mass but it is customary for it take place outside of Mass. For Christ also said, ‘Except ye be born again, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.’ Now, that it is impossible for those who have once been born to enter into their mothers’ wombs, is manifest to all. Yes, it’s ok for a person to be baptized at any age. Therefore, as the young person is nurtured and matures so as to be able to respond to God's grace, conscious faith and intentional commitment are necessary. To find out more about this dimension of congregational life, click. And so, congregations and families should consider the maturity of young people in light of the longer journey into adulthood as they plan for the ritual of confirmation. It is expected that the child will be enrolled in the parish's Religious Education program or attending Catholic school. The Sacrament of Baptism is often called "The door of the Church," because it is the first of the seven sacraments not only in time (since most Catholics receive it as infants) but in priority since the reception of the other sacraments depends on it. Two things should be noted here: One, confirmation is not becoming a member of the church. By Water and the Spirit: A United Methodist Understanding of Discipleship copyright © 1996 Discipleship Ministries. Or they’ll be informed that they can’t have the baby baptized unless they’re registered members of the parish. The sheer gratuitousness of the grace of salvation is particularly manifest in infant baptism. If the person being baptized is under 7 years old, she doesn't have to take catechism classes (classes that teach what the Roman Catholic church believes). You will be asked to complete a form and this information will then be provided to the appropriate staff member. I’ve heard from plenty of frustrated parents who want their baby baptized right away but are met with obstacles at their parish. Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany, Year B. c. 206 , CCC 1247-1248 ). Or they’ll be told that the baby can’t be baptized during Lent . The person must be convicted… that’s to blame for delays in getting a child baptized. Yes, the unbaptized can share in the same experiences. Episode 38: Small Groups – Baptism’s Connection to Discipleship (Part 1). By Water and the Spirit illuminates this further: So, confirmation preparation aims at leading youth and others to embrace their vocation — the calling of God to live and witness to the reign of God announced in Jesus Christ. 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