Faith formation.The July interview with Father Robert Silva, ("Men in black") followed immediately by the Sounding Board ("True faith waits") by Christina Zaker struck me instantly as "confirmation" (if you'll pardon the weak pun pun, use of words, usually humorous, based on (a) the several meanings of one word, (b) a similarity of meaning between words that are pronounced the same, or (c) the difference in meanings between two words pronounced the same and spelled somewhat similarly, e.g. ) of two conclusions I reached a good while back. Silva states, "I'd like to see them all [seminarians] spend time in the Third World or the inner city," and Zaker debates the appropriate age for administering the sacrament of Confirmation. My observations of our American and current church cultures lead me to conclude that our nation should require two years of citizen service of all young folks after high school, and our church should not offer Confirmation before the age of majority or even into a person's 20s. All applications for seminary seminary Educational institution, usually for training in theology. In the U.S. the term was formerly also used to refer to institutions of higher learning for women, often teachers' colleges. (minimum age of 30) should have the entry: "site and dates of citizen service." What could result is a seminary population explosion that is only a pipe dream now. And the young adults who study there will have a much clearer idea of who they are based on experience already gained. For the wider world, choosing to commit one's life to Jesus Christ Jesus Christ: see Jesus. Jesus Christ 40 days after Resurrection, ascended into heaven. [N.T.: Acts 1:1–11] See : Ascension Jesus Christ kind to the poor, forgiving to the sinful. [N.T. in Confirmation after hands-on service in this country or beyond will indeed ratify ratify v. to confirm and adopt the act of another even though it was not approved beforehand. Example: An employee for Holsinger's Hardware orders carpentry equipment from Phillips Screws and Nails although the employee was not authorized to buy anything. the baptismal call. Arlene Walters Moneta, Va. As I read the July Sounding Board, a question occurred to me: How do we discern readiness? This question seems to touch the heart of the matter. Age, as experience has shown, seldom decides readiness along the spiritual journey--thus our Confirmation dilemma. For insight into this question, it makes sense to look to the church's premier guide on initiation, the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (often abbreviated RCIA) is the process through which interested adults are gradually introduced to the Roman Catholic faith and way of life. (RCIA RCIA Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults RCIA Rite of Catholic Initiation for Adults RCIA Retail Clerks International Association RCIA Richmond Creative Investors Association RCIA Request for Clarity, Information & Assistance ). The introduction to the rite suggests that it is only "after [individuals have heard] the mystery of Christ proclaimed" and have responded to that proclamation by "consciously and freely seeking the living God and enter[ing] the way of faith and conversion as the Holy Spirit [guides them]" that they are able to "receive the sacraments fruitfully." How old will these people be? I'm sure that these signs of readiness look different in a 7-year-old than they do in a 16-year-old or 42-year-old, but I am equally sure that they can be found wherever, in whomever whom·ev·er pron. The objective case of whoever. See Usage Note at who. whomever pron the objective form of whoever: , whatever the age, in those in whom the Spirit of God is working. Patty Marshall Fredonia, N.Y. |
|
||||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion