In the first few centuries of our church's history, Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist were seen as one sacrament: The Sacrament of Initiation. Confirmation was a transitional ritual as the newly initiated were led from the waters of Baptism to the table of the Eucharist. This ritual consisted of a welcome by the bishop, and embrace and an anointing. Celebrating Eucharist was always seen as the final step in the initiation process.

The welcoming ritual, eventually called a "sacrament", was reserved to the bishop. As Christianity grew, presbyters (priests) replaced bishops as local parish leaders and the newly baptized were "confirmed" when the bishop could be present. Even so, this normally happened before First Eucharist, which was often celebrated in the early teen years. Early in this century, Pope Pius X promoted frequent reception of communion. He called for communion to be received for the first time by children at the age of reason (which is considered to be at seven years of age). Confirmation, however, continued to be celebrated when the bishop could be present, which was most often after First Eucharist.

As Confirmation began to be celebrated at the junior and senior high school levels, we tried to give it new meaning. We called it a "sacrament of maturity". But, as we can see from the history given above, this had nothing to do with the original understanding of the sacrament.

Thus, we have had good programs, good celebrations, and good intentions, but unfortunately Confirmation has often come to be seen as the end of religious formation and even parish involvement! We have worked hard at the junior and senior high levels so that both parents and students now understand that faith formation is a life-long process. Confirmation/Eucharist is now celebrated at the age of reason (usually second grade and above).

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