Chapter II Order of Initiation of Children Who Have Reached Catechetical Age 252. This rite is intended for children who have not been baptized at the time of infancy and have reached the age of discretion and catechesis. They come to Christian Initiation, brought by either parents or guardians, or moved on their own initiative with the permission of these same people. Those who grasp and nourish their own faith and are moved by their own conscience, are already suitable. Nevertheless, they cannot yet be treated as adults because, as children, they depend on parents or guardians and are extremely susceptible to the influence of companions as well as society. 253. Their Initiation requires not only personal conversion of a maturity suitable to their age, but also the help of education necessary at that age. From that point it must be adapted also to the spiritual journey of the children, namely their increase in faith and the catechetical instruction that they receive. As with adults, therefore, their Initiation is also extended over some years, if necessary, before they may approach the Sacraments. Their Initiation is marked by various steps and periods and organized by rites: the Rite for Entrance into the Catechumenate (nos. 260-276), the optional Rite of Election (nos. 277-290), the Scrutinies or Penitential Rites (nos. 291-303) and the Celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation (nos. 304-329); corresponding to the periods of adult Initiation are the periods of children’s catechetical formation that lead up to and follow the steps of their Initiation. 254. Since, however, the progress of the children depends on the formation they receive, as much by the help and example of companions as by parents, both should be considered. a) For, since the children being initiated usually belong to some group of already baptized companions who are preparing with catechesis for Confirmation and the Eucharist, the Initiation 306 307 USA 308
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