The Sacrament of Confirmation For Youth
Confirmation is the sacrament
through which the Holy Spirit comes to us in a special way to bind
us more closely to the Church, make us more like Christ, and
strengthens us to conserve, defend, live up to and share our faith
as witnesses and apostles to Christ. Confirmation means,
"strengthening." Confirmation strengthens the work of the
Spirit begun in us at Baptism so that we may be true Christians
and apostles.
Preparation for this sacrament in
the Galveston/Houston Diocese is based on the theological position
that Confirmation should be celebrated during middle adolescence
(the high school years) because the adolescent will be completing
the process of initiation into the Church, a process begun at
baptism. This is the adolescent's opportunity to say "yes"
to his/her baptismal promises and publicly commit to a belief in
Jesus Christ in the Catholic faith-tradition.
CONFIRMATION GUIDELINES:
The Catechism of the Catholic
Church explains that “From that time on the apostles, in
fulfillment of Christ’s will, imparted to the newly baptized by
the laying of hands the gift of the Spirit that completes the
grace of Baptism… The imposition of hands is rightly recognized as
the origin of the sacrament of Confirmation, which in a certain
way perpetuates the grace of Pentecost in the Church” [(CCC):1288].
The Catechism notes that “Very early [in the life of the Church],
the better to signify the gift of the Holy Spirit, an anointing
with perfumed oil [chrism] was added to the laying on of hands.
This anointing highlights the name “Christian” which means
“anointed” and derives from that of Christ himself whom God
“anointed with the Holy Spirit.”…In the West, Confirmation
suggests both the ratification of Baptism, thus completing
Christian initiation, and the strengthening of baptismal grace-
both fruits of the Holy Spirit” [(CCC): 1289]
Qualifications of Candidates:
Each baptized Catholic has the
right and the obligation to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation,
but the candidate has the responsibility to personally choose to
complete initiation into the faith life of the Church. The
candidate may request the sacrament if he/she:
a.
Is baptized and able to renew
Baptismal promises, unless a grave reason suggest otherwise.
b.
Exhibits an active faith life
and knowledge of the Church.
c.
Participates in the sacramental
life of the Church, especially Eucharistic liturgies.
d.
Is willing to commit to active
involvement in the parish Confirmation catechesis.
e.
Is willing to respond to the
call to active ministry.
f.
Is willing to continue to learn
and grow in faith following Confirmation and throughout his/her
lifetime.
Age of
Candidate:
In our parish we confirm in the
eleventh grade. Once the ninth and tenth grade are completed in
life long faith formation then in the 11th grade the
youth will be confirmed. The year of formal preparation for the
sacrament is best seen as a continuation of the years of
catechesis though childhood. Therefore it is recommended that a
young person who has had little or no formal catechesis attend
Youth Group Meetings which are available on Monday nights.
Regular attendance at the scheduled Monday night meetings is
required.
All paperwork as listed in the
Confirmation Handbook must be turned in by the February
Confirmation Retreat.
Sponsors:
Sponsors represent in a
personal way the witness and support of the parish community.
Opportunities for catecheses should be offered to the sponsors in
order to assist them in fully understanding their role in the
ongoing formation of the candidate. The sponsor should
participate with the candidate in his/her preparation, as well as
the celebration.
To perform the role of the
sponsor, it is necessary that a person fulfill the conditions
stated in the Code of Canon Law #874:
1. Be
designated by the one to be baptized (confirmed), 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 Eucharist and leads a life in harmony with the
faith and the role to be undertaken;
4. Not
be bound by any canonical penalty legitimately imposed or declared
(e.g. if married, marriage must be recognized by the Catholic
Church as valid).
5. Not
be the father or the mother of the one to be baptized. (confirmed)
I have also sent an insert of
our handbook if there can be a link to get it offline would be
good.
Important 2005 Confirmation Dates
