Need some help from my fellow Catholic DISers

[POB14]

Yes, I think so. That's what DH tells me, I just can't remember the actual reason. I think it was something to do with "welcome to adulthood", and they weren't actually hurt or anything. It was symbolic.

From this site:

The reformed rite of confirmation [after Vatican II] eliminated the sacrament’s most famous moment: the bishop’s slap. The slap first appeared in the 13th century. Incongruously, the bishop tapped the confirmand’s cheek while saying, “Peace be with you.” The slap inspired military imagery and fostered an interpretation of confirmation as a maturity rite. Durandus, who inserted the slap into the ritual, also thought it would serve as an exorcism and as a memory device to keep people from forgetting that they were confirmed. Its meaning was poorly understood. The removal of the slap supported the council’s desire that confirmation be connected more closely to initiation. The slap never had anything to do with initiation, and its removal helped purify the sacrament’s meaning.

 

[zookeeper]

we do first communion and confirmation at the end of the second grade....I think it is a good idea to do it young again...our grandkids went to a Catholic School and did it with the Bishop coming. It is hard to get the Bishop to officiate because there are so many churches and Catholic schools doing it all at the same time..
We also have gotten rid of the girls wearing gowns and veils..back even when our daughter and son made theirs...everyone is equal with the rented covering....

In our area they just reinstated Reconciliation before Eucharist. If they added Confirmation to that list kids would receive all of their sacraments in 2nd grade! Well, at least they'd still have marriage/ordination and the last rites to look forward to!!

 

[BethR]

In our area they just reinstated Reconciliation before Eucharist.

Now that is interesting. When have your children been receiving their first Reconciliation? In my brother's diocese it was held in the fall before their Confirmation/First Eucharist.

Even in the Eastern Catholic churches, Reconciliation is usually in second grade.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Hope your daughter and all the other comfirmants have a wonderful day tomorrow at the service, again, congratulations.

 

[cruisnfamily]

Now that is interesting. When have your children been receiving their first Reconciliation? In my brother's diocese it was held in the fall before their Confirmation/First Eucharist.

Even in the Eastern Catholic churches, Reconciliation is usually in second grade.

OP here

In our church(Roman Catholic) The kids do reconcilliation and first communion in the 2nd grade and confirmation in the 7th grade. Another church here in town does reconcilliation, communion and confirmation all in the 2nd grade. I prefer our way.

Hope your daughter and all the other comfirmants have a wonderful day tomorrow at the service, again, congratulation

Thanks! It's going to be a long service, but I guess it's good the bishop actually interacts with the kids.