Confirmation
CONFIRMATION – INTRODUCTION “Confirmation perfects Baptismal grace; it is the Sacrament which gives the Holy Spirit in order to root us more deeply in the divine filiation, incorporate us more firmly into Christ, strengthen our bond with the Church, associate us more closely with her mission, and help us bear witness to the Christian faith in words accompanied by deeds.” - CCC, ¶ 1316 CONFIRMATION – CATECHESIS “Preparation for Confirmation should aim at leading the Christian toward a more intimate union with Christ and a more lively familiarity with the Holy Spirit – his actions, his gifts, and his biddings – in order to be more capable of assuming the apostolic responsibilities of Christian life. To this end catechesis for Confirmation should strive to awaken a sense of belonging to the Church of Jesus Christ, the universal Church as well as the parish community. The latter bears special responsibility for the preparation of confirmands.” - CCC, ¶ 1309 Immediate preparation takes place during the year of Confirmation. Study should include the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist), Pentecost, the Holy Spirit in Scripture and in the history of the Church, and the explanation and meaning of the Rite of Confirmation. Like all Sacramental preparation, the intent is not only to gain knowledge of the Sacrament, but also to help the candidate grow into a deeper relationship with Christ and His Church. It is beneficial to continue emphasis on service to others and to encourage this as an integral part of the Christian life style. A retreat for the candidates prior to Confirmation is an effective setting for individuals to strengthen their relationship with the Lord and to experience life in a smaller Christian community. Often the retreat gives youth a time and place in which to reflect upon and internalize that which during the year has been spoken about Christ and His Church. Meetings with parents and sponsors will help them better understand their role in the Confirmation process and will also help them to deepen their relationship with those being confirmed.
CONFIRMATION – POLICIES 1.
Candidates ranging from seventh grade to twelfth grade would be acceptable for
the Sacrament of Confirmation in the Diocese of Madison according to local
parish determination. Pastors in the same vicinity might well be in touch with one another about particular parish practices with regard to the age of Confirmation, so that the life of individual parish communities can go forward with some desired serenity undisturbed by this particular exercise of diversity. 2.
Preparation is to be a process of study, prayer, and service to others. The
candidate should understand that this process is a model for Christian living
throughout one’s adult life. 3.
An opportunity to experience an overnight or a weekend retreat should be
included in the preparation process. 4.
A program of education for parents of those wishing to be confirmed should be
held in conjunction with the catechetical sessions for students. 5.
Sponsors should be included in some of the catechetical sessions for candidates.
Program planners need to be realistic in terms of expectations put on sponsors. 6.
Pastors, catechists, and parents will cooperatively decide when the Sacrament of
Confirmation is to be offered children and adults who are mentally handicapped. 7.
The entire parish should be part of the preparation for the celebration of the
Sacrament. This can be done by means of the parish bulletin, the Sunday homily, brief instruction at parish organizations, RCIA-based rites celebrated at Sunday liturgies, prayer by the community for the candidates and other special events. 8. Confirmation will be administered at a time of the year that is mutually agreed upon by the parish and the bishop. The date of Confirmation should be requested through the Office of the Bishop. The following guidelines should be followed when requesting a date for Confirmation: Saturdays: Parishes are welcome to request Confirmation during an already scheduled Saturday Mass regardless of the number to be confirmed; a liturgy should not be added beyond what is already scheduled for the sake of Confirmation. Sundays: Generally, Confirmation Masses would require adding a special Mass as Confirmation Masses should be scheduled no earlier than 4 PM nor later than 6 PM. In order to add a Mass on Sunday for the celebration of Confirmation, there should be at least 25 confimandi (parishes may wish collaborate with other area parishes for a single celebration so that the minimum number of 25 would be present). Weekdays: A Confirmation celebration may be requested to take place Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday evening; Weekday liturgies are to begin no later than 7 PM. CONFIRMATION – ISSUES Confirmation Sponsors The following canons from the Code of Canon Law (1983) concern the Sacrament of Confirmation: Canon 892: As far as possible a sponsor for the one to be confirmed should be present; it is for the sponsor to see that the confirmed person acts as a true witness to Christ and faithfully fulfills the obligation connected with this Sacrament. Canon 893: §1. To perform the role of sponsor, it is necessary that person fulfill the conditions mentioned in canon 874. §2. It is desirable that the one who undertook the role of sponsor at baptism be sponsor for confirmation. Canon 874: §1. To be admitted to the role of sponsor, a person must: 1. be designated by the one to be baptized, by the parents or the one who takes their place or, in their absence, by the pastor or minister and is to have the qualifications and intention of performing this role; 2. have completed the sixteenth year, unless a different age has been established by the diocesan bishop or it seems to the pastor or minister that an exception is to be made for a just cause; 3. be a Catholic who has been confirmed and has already received the Sacrament of the Most Holy Eucharist and leads a life in harmony with the faith and role to be undertaken; 4. not be bound by any canonical penalty legitimately imposed or declared; 5. not be the father or mother of the one to be baptized. §2. A baptized person who belongs to a non-Catholic ecclesial community may not be admitted except as a witness to baptism and together with a Catholic sponsor. With the separation in time of the Sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation, it is not always reasonable to select the baptismal sponsor for Confirmation. For some candidates, their baptismal sponsor may live a great distance and they nay no longer have a relationship with that person. If it is not possible for the baptismal sponsor to be present, then a special sponsor can be chosen. The sponsor is a representative of the church community and assists the parents in the Christian upbringing of their son or daughter. Although parents should not serve in the role of sponsor, they may present their son/daughter to the bishop for Confirmation. If desired, this can be implemented by having the parents: a. Process into the church with their sons and daughters. b. Stand with the candidate and sponsor during the anointing rite. c. As a group present the candidates to the bishop. In early Christianity, sponsors journeyed with their friends as they prepared for full participation in the Church community. The one-to-one relationship of the sponsor with the candidate during the presentation period was most important as he/she moved through periods of questioning, searching, and discipleship. In today’s Confirmation programs, youth should be encouraged to choose a sponsor who is a significant Catholic adult to them. The sponsor should be someone with whom youth feel comfortable discussing serious matters and who will be willing to share his/her faith life with the candidate whenever possible. To the youth the sponsor should be: a. a witness to Christ and to the importance of the Christian life-style by his/her words and actions. b. a support to the candidate when he/she moves through periods of crisis or questioning concerning his/her faith or value system. c. a person who can question or even challenge the candidate’s words, actions, or values – and that this will be accepted in a positive manner by the youth. Catechetical sessions for students and sponsors should be designed to encourage and to give opportunity for the development of dialogue/faith sharing between the candidate and sponsor. Service to Others Service is one of the integral components of holistic catechesis and thus of the Confirmation preparation process. It should be a continuation of what already exists in catechetical programs at elementary and junior high levels. In developing this component of the preparation process, the following items should be kept in mind:
- a group service project that begins before Confirmation and continues afterward. - take a leadership role in catechetical programs. - help prepare others for Confirmation. - team member for Confirmation retreat or retreats for junior high/early high school. - continue as liturgical ministers. - help plan and implement youth activities.
Other Suggestions 1. It is recommended that the candidates, catechists, and members of the parish liturgy committee be involved in the planning of the liturgy for Confirmation. 2. Some parishes require that the Confirmation candidates write a letter to the bishop requesting the Sacrament of Confirmation. The letter to the bishops is not a canonical requirement, but is a highly recommended response to Canon 885.1 which states that the bishop is bound to ensure that the Sacrament of Confirmation is conferred upon his subjects who duly and reasonably request it. 3. The liturgy aid, any letters from the candidates, or other preparatory materials are to be sent to the confirming bishop at least one week before the ceremony. 4. Catechesis is a life-long process which should not end with the reception of Confirmation. Parishes have the responsibility to provide ongoing catechesis for all members of their congregation. It is important to explicitly and personally invite the newly confirmed to be an active part of parish life. Although some newly confirmed individuals may choose to be involved in a new program, the best way to keep them involved is to provide a variety of quality opportunities for all people in high school. Young people are more likely to continue in a program they enjoy rather than beginning something in which they are unfamiliar. 5. Canon 1065.1 states: “Catholics who have not received the Sacrament of Confirmation are to receive it before being admitted to marriage if it can be done without grave inconvenience.” Liturgical Guidelines A copy of the liturgical recommendations for the celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation can be obtained by contacting the Office of Worship.
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