Canonical age Person (canon law)

canonical age in roman catholic canon law age 1 must reach, counting birth, when 1 becomes capable of incurring obligations, enjoying special privileges, embracing special states of life, holding office or dignity, or receiving sacraments.

each of these human acts requires development of mind, body, or spirit appropriate free , voluntary acceptance , adequate knowledge of, , capacity for, duties , obligations attached. ages prescribed canon law differ, privileges, offices, , dignities apply.

sacraments

from age of 7 years, catholics bound hear holy mass on every sunday , every holy day of obligation. sponsor in conferring of baptism , confirmation, have confirmed , 16 years old (canon 874 cic). days of abstinence respected catholics of @ least 14 years old; law of fasting (i.e. ash wednesday , friday) 18 till 59 years (canon 1252 cic).

priesthood, orders, , clerical office

the ancient discipline neither universal nor fixed, varied circumstances of time , locality. requisite age, according gratian, tonsure , first 3 minor orders, of doorkeeper, reader, , exorcist, seven, , acolyte, twelve years.

the council of trent fixed ages of 21 years , 1 day subdeaconship, 22 years , 1 day deaconship, , 24 years , 1 day priesthood. @ present, canon 1031 cic fixed ages of 23 deaconship , 25 priesthood. first day of year in canonical age reached sufficiently timely reception of order. trent confirmed lateran age of thirty years episcopate. age cardinals (including cardinal-deacons) fixed council @ thirty years of age.

no age fixed law election papacy.

generals, provincials, abbots, , other regular prelates having quasi-episcopal jurisdiction must, according many, have completed thirtieth year before election; according others, 25th year. various orders , congregations, however, have own rules requisite ages inferior offices , dignities.

the council of trent (sess. xxv, cap. 7, de regular. et monial.) fixed forty years, , 8 years after profession, abbess, mother general, or prioress of religious order of nuns. none such found in monastery (convent), nun on thirty years old , more 5 years professed, can elected. election contrary these rules invalid.

for clothing religious habit or entrance novitiate, no age fixed decretal law.

for religious profession, council of trent prescribes sixteen years of age, 1 year of novitiate. latest enactment, prescribing simple vows 3 continuous years after novitiate before solemn profession, fixes age solemn profession @ nineteen years both men , women.