CONFIRMATION
I'm not sure if you remember, but waaaaay back before Advent we started a "sacramental journey." In October, we dove into baptism and in November we spent a few weeks on Eucharist, our weekly church family THANKSGIVING celebration. Baptism and Eucharist are two of the three Sacraments of Initiation. In the early Church, these were celebrated as 3 parts of one ritual: A person was plunged into the waters of baptism, sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit with an anointing of oil, and then proceeded to the altar where they received Eucharist and were one with the community of all believers. We see this ancient tradition lived out with our OCIA (formerly RCIA) catechumens on Holy Saturday.
Over the years and in different cultures the placement of Confirmation has wandered more than the Israelites in the desert. You may have been confirmed in 5th, 8th, or 11th grade, or any other grade for that matter. For many years, the second graders in the Saginaw Diocese completed their initiation by being confirmed and receiving Eucharist in the same celebration. This is known as "restored order." Bishop Gruss has once again decided to move the age for the reception of Confirmation to a later age. It is important to remember that whenever an individual celebrates this sacrament, that it is a beginning (think "initiation") not a graduation or a completion or a coming of age ceremony. It strengthens what was begun in baptism and further fills us with grace to venture out of our comfort zones and reach out to others and invite them to know Jesus, to be disciples.
Here is a link to a very short article that explains the history of Confirmation:
and a 2 minute video, if you would prefer: