h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

In the Roman Catholic Church, the act of Confirmation marks the beginning of a young person's adult life. In the ceremony, they are anointed by a bishop with oil. From that point on they are adults in the eyes of the Church. One gets confirmed usually by learning more about the faiths and traditions of Catholicism. This is just a rough idea of it and I'd appreciate any additions.

Christian prudery, especially during the last century (Victorian era) completely sublimated the 'pagan' origins of 'confirmation' which was once not just a test of understanding doctrine but a genuine 'maturation' ceremony directly associated with puberty.
This biological fact occurs to humans in all cultures and every society has its own ceremonies and practises. The Christian forms which now focus almost entirely on 'spiritual and intellectual' maturity and completely avoid issues of physical maturation have wandered far from any helpful social value to pubescent youth.

Confirmation is not just a catholic ceremony. I know that the Church of England also have this 'rite of passage into adulthood' and would assume that most if not all of the othe denominations also practice this. It's more to do with being welcomed into 'Gods big family' and being looked at as a mature member of the congregation. The usuall age for this is around 13, when we are at an age of much confusion. Having been confirmed C of E myself I have first hand experience. Really, confirmation is the step after baptism and everybody should be confirmed before they are married (the next step). It also means that you are allowed to take the body and blood of Jesus during the Eucharistic prayer which for me made that bit of the service far more interesting!

What has been said about the confirmation in the church of england holds mostly true for the protestant churches in Germany, as I remember my own confirmation. However the whole act is not anymore a demonstration of maturity & adultery but was intended to confirm ones believes, hence the name (wasted effort on me, though).

The great thing about confirmation in the Ruhr area of Germany though was that our uncles, aunts and grandmas would give us some money as a present, which usually was sufficient to fulfill our most desired dreams: our first MOTORCYCLES (Mopeds). And I tell you: Those we used for sure for a number of manhood tests

As an Anglican priest, I can assure you that Confirmation as a rite does not sublimate any pagan origins. Initiation, in the early centuries, consisted of Baptism by total immersion, then anointing with oil by the Bishop, then receiving the Eucharist for the first time Over the centuries, different churches have separated these in different ways. But the Sacrament of Confirmation has always been for an "infusing" of the grace of the Holy Spirit. In popular "Church of England" culture, it has been seen as a rite of passage, but that has been grafted on, not the other way around.

Father Ted.

pagan origins, huh? care to expand on that john?

In CofE you are meant to be baptised before you are married, but not necessarilly confirmed - in fact I'm not even sure if baptism is necessary...

That is correct. Nowadays you don't necessarily need to be confirmed or baptised. To be honest, I don't think anyone cares anymore. Traditionaly though that's the idea.

That's right. You do not have to be baptised or confirmed before you can marry in an Anglican (Church of England) Church. In fact, if you live in the parish, you have an absolute right to be married in your parish church. So long as you haven't been divorced and your former partner is still living.

Obviously, it is a good idea - and a matter of integrity - to explore the Church's teaching on marriage and to "grow into" the life of the "People of God" if you are serious about (Christian) marriage.

With the rise of evangelical fundamentalism, I sometimes wonder if, as a liberal catholic Anglican priest, I'm part of a dying breed.

Someone from my standpoint

- accepts people where they are (but tries not to be so unkind as to leave them there.)

- believes that God having faith in you in more important than you having faith in God.

- expects God to "work" in the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony - making whole, helping us grow as human beings/Christians - despite apathy or antipathy

- as, regards marriage, I have the powers of a civil registrar in my own churches, I will marry divorcees - and frequently do so - and try to come to a common mind with the couple involved as to whether it's the right thing to do. Because GOD takes us as we are - warts and all - it usually is.

Father Ted

Bravo! Wise words...

Thank you for your affirmation, MyRedDice!

Fr. Ted.

Being someone recently confirmed into the Lutheran church I feel that I may impart some knowledge as to the procedures. The year before entering high school (Approx. Age 14-15) you are instructed in your faith (IE. Forced into memorizing the small chaethecism, a document wirtten by Martin Luther). Then during your day to be confirmed, (usually Easter or All Saint's Day) the following takes place. First it is annouced that you are to be comfirmed. Second you you are asked a series of questions about how you denouce the devil and uphold God and so forth. Then you are given a candle to reprsent your baptismal candle which is then lit and a blessing is said. So ends the rite. The signifigance is that you are confirming your baptism. The reasoning for this is that your parents had you baptised as a baby and confirmation is that you made a decision to continue following the Church. In real life terms it means you are a full member of the church so you can vote in church matters and in some churches run for council.