Confirmation
What is Confirmation?
"...the reception of the sacrament of Confirmation is necessary for the completion of Baptismal grace" (CCC 1285)
Confirmation is a Sacrament of Initiation that makes you a full member of the Catholic Church. The Bishop will lay hands over you, anoint you with Holy Oil, and pray that the Holy Spirit will fully come into your life.
What can the Holy Spirit do for you?
The Holy Spirit (the third person of the Trinity) is God's Spirit present in your life.
He will, if you ask him to:
give your life meaning and purpose
help you make the right decisions
give you courage to stand up for what you believe
give you respect and wonder for the mystery of God in your life
give you the help to think of other people's needs and help those who are in need.
For more information you can view this short video on why we are confirmed.
Former Bishop of Nottingham, Malcolm McMahon (now Archbishop of Liverpool) and Fr Kevin Clark during a Confirmation Mass at St Peter's Church, Melton Mowbray.
Preparation for Confirmation
The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that every baptised person not yet confirmed can and should receive the Sacrament of Confirmation.
Within England and Wales, the Sacrament is normally conferred upon young people in their early teens.
Adults preparing for Full Reception into Communion With the Catholic Church by taking the Rite of Christian Initiation in Adults (RCIA) are Baptised (if not already) and Confirmed during the celebration of their reception.
Candidates for Confirmation usually attend 12 x 1 hour sessions every few weeks at the Convent House in Melton. The sessions are led by people known as Catechists - these are trained lay people, Franciscan Sisters or the Parish Priest - who will educate and prepare you for Confirmation.
The sessions are:
Introductory Session
Baptism
Personal Commitment to Our Lord Jesus Christ
What are we committed to? The Creed
Eucharist as a Sacrament of Initiation
Mass to Mission
Discipleship
How do we become Disciples? (The Holy Spirit, and the Gifts of the Spirit)
The Rite of Confirmation (Practicalities)
Sacrament of Reconciliation
Rehearsal
There will be an opportunity for an Away Day, venue to be arranged
There is also an organisation called Leicestershire Active Catholic Youth (LACY) who hold fun events and away days for pre and post Confirmation Catholics. You should look out for their notices in the Parish Newsletter or by searching for their group on Facebook.
Bishop Patrick, Fr Dominic (l), Fr Martin (r) and Catechists with the Confirmation Group at St Francis' Convent Chapel, Melton Mowbray on 26th October 2018.
How to enrol on the Confirmation course.
When a Confirmation course is planned to commence, the start dates and any further details will be printed in the newsletter, posted on the parish website/Facebook page and announcements made after Mass.
For more information or to request an enrolment form, please contact Father.
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