Christian Initiation of Children who have reached catechetical age
The Code of Canon Law states, “The provisions of the canons on adult baptism apply to all those who, being no longer infants, have reached the use of reason.” Thus, children from approximately the age of seven years to around 14 to 18 years are to be considered of “catechetical age” (Canon 852).
Children, like adults, travel a journey of faith based on their spiritual progress. Various rites mark their growth in faith and culminate with the celebration of baptism, confirmation, and the Eucharist. In general, children follow the same path towards initiation as adults. There is one initiation process for both adults and children.
While children follow the same journey of faith as adults, there are distinctions and differences based on age and developmental stages. In many ways, then, the rite cautions that “they cannot yet be treated as adults because, at this stage of their lives, they are dependent on their parents or guardians and are still strongly influenced by their companions and their social surroundings” (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, 252). Children who are in the initiation process can be catechized in groups according to their ages and stages of development, availability varies by parish.
Children of catechetical age and adults will be brought to the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist through the development, promotion, and implementation of the initiation process presented in the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults. This liturgical rite of the church is the official norm to be followed in the initiation of adults and children who have reached catechetical age.
In brief:
+ Children from approximately the age of seven years to around 14 to 18 years are to be considered of “catechetical age.”
+ Children of catechetical age will be brought to the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist through the initiation process presented in the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA).
+ There is one initiation process for both adults and children.
+ Children who are in the initiation process can be catechized in groups according to their ages, availability varies by parish.