Sacrament of Confirmation

(Canons 879 - 896)

"Now when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent them Peter and John, who went down and prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit, for it had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit." Acts 8:14-17

Candidates for the Sacrament of Confirmation are members of the Christian faithful who have received the Sacraments of Baptism, Reconciliation, and First Holy Communion in the Catholic Church, be participating in the sacramental life of the Church, particularly at our Sunday Eucharistic Celebration (Mass), and have reached their sixteenth birthday and/or tenth grade in high school.

In order to effectively accompany the confirmation candidates on their journey of faith, parents and sponsors should enhance their own growth in the practice of the faith. In order to assist the parents and sponsors in fulfilling this responsibility, they are required to attend a minimum of three two-hour formation sessions during the candidate's preparation. Sponsors coming from outside the parish are required to present a letter from their pastor attesting that the sponsor is a practicing Catholic (that is, married in the Catholic Church, active in the parish, etc.) and has completed the preparation for sponsors.

A two-year process for Sacramental Preparation is used with our youth, eighteen years of age or younger. Adults, nineteen years of age/high school graduates or older are prepared through a one year process through the RCIA Program. Candidates are required to participate in a day of recollection during Advent and weekend retreat in the spring, prior to receiving the sacrament. The theme for these spiritual exercises will be the Sacrament of Confirmation. In addition, the adolescent candidates will participate in a service project each year of the Sacramental Preparation as directed and designed by our Pastor.

Requirements for Youth Entering Confirmation Program

• attended the previous year with less than three absences

• student must express the desire to receive the Holy Spirit and be willing to take a more mature, responsible and active role in the Catholic Church

• First Year - be at least in the ninth grade at school

• Second Year - be at least in the tenth grade at school

Receiving Confirmation does not equate graduation. Formation is a life-long process, therefore we strongly recommend that our candidates return the following school year for post-confirmation classes.