Confirmation

Archdiocesan Policy & Guidelines for Confirmation Preparation

Confirmation preparation and reception is intended to take place during the freshman and sophomore years of high school with primary emphasis on the sophomore year. Youth should have the opportunity for preparation and reception of the sacrament by the end of their 16″* year of age.

A person who is to be confirmed should be prepared through suitable instruction, proper personal disposition, and the ability and willingness to renew baptismal promises. See canon 889, paragraph 2 Candidates must have participated in a Confirmation Preparation Program in order to be confirmed. The preparation program should be at least six months in length allowing for some programs to be up to two years in length.

It is recommended by the Archdiocese of Portland that parishes require a candidate be involved in their home parish through Religious Education, Youth Ministry, or other parish experiences such as liturgical ministry or parish outreach ministries outside of and including regular weekend Mass attendance for one year prior to beginning the year long preparation program.

Preparation programs should contain the following six components:

1. Building relationships between youth and parish community
2. Catechesis
3. Faith formation
4. Participation in the Mission and Ministry of the Church
5. Involvement of parents and sponsors in the preparation
6. Enable candidates to come to a well-formed decision concerning Confirmation

Sponsors should be involved in the preparation process and may be of either sex. Parents are encouraged to actively participate in their son or daughter’s preparation, but parents cannot be sponsors for their child. A Baptismal godparent may be a sponsor.

To be a sponsor, a person must:

1. Be designated by the candidate
2. Have completed the 16~ year of age
3. Have already received Confirmation
4. Not be the parent of the one being confirmed

Because of the intrinsic connection between Baptism and Confirmation, candidates may choose to use their Baptismal names for Confirmation. However, if a candidate wishes to choose a Confirmation name the following considerations should be encouraged: The name reflects a Christian ideal, goal or value that they wish to strive for or the name is chosen in honor of a particular saint whose holiness or charitable works inspire them.

Since Confirmation is conferred during “the age of reason” it implies that the candidates are making an informed decision/choice to complete their full-initiation into the Church. Thus it is recommended that Confirmation be available on an annual basis. Smaller parishes may consider sharing resources with neighboring parishes and within their vicariate, or consider offering the opportunity every two years.

It is expected that the parish assume responsibility for providing on-going comprehensive youth ministry and other formational experiences and opportunities in addition to and beyond Confirmation. The conferring of the Sacrament of Confirmation completes full initiation and implies a commitment to discipleship. Discipleship requires continuing and on-going formation and service opportunities that must be nurtured – especially after initiation.

Parishes are asked to develop and keep a written outline of their preparation program.

Six Components of a Confirmation Preparation Program

1. Building relationships between youth and the parish community
   How is the young person visible and an active participant in this life of the parish?
   • Youth group/WCFF
   • Choir
   • Outreach opportunities
   • FLASH Café
   • Social Gatherings
   • Retreats
   • Other Ideas/Parent volunteer involvement
2. Catechesis
   • Discipleship implies continuing education and formation
   • Life-long learning encouraged at Q of P through WCFF. Our children learn through our example

Confirmation Preparation is not intended to be a “graduation” from Catholic education and formation Thus, it is not intended that the candidates know and learn everything about their Catholic faith in this one experience.

1. Faith Formation
   • Religion Class vs. faith formation
   • Being a part of your faith community in worship, prayer, and relationship
   • Bringing support and sharing knowledge to others in your faith community
   • Retreats offer a unique atmosphere for private and personal discernment and reflection
2. Participation in mission and ministry of the Church
   • Canidates need to be exposed to the wide variety of ways the faithful serve one another
   • emphasis should be on our responsibility and call to serve rather than a need to “jump through the hoops and get it over with”
   • Sponsors may help youth identify gifts and work with candidates to provide an experience of ministry in a particular area of interest. If youth are attending Catholic school, which has as a part of its curriculum a service/apprenticeship component, it might be one-way candidates could be engaged in this component of the program
3. Involvement of parents and sponsors
   • Parents and sponsors need to be involved in the preparation process
   • Home study component not intended to be just for the candidate
   • This Confirmation preparation program is designed to give families the opportunity to grow in faith together
4. Enabling canidates to come to well-formed decisions concerning Confirmation
   • Interview with leadership team, can include sponsor and/or parents with candidates
   • Opportunities for questioning, prayer and reflection. Candidates to write a letter to the Bishop expressing their desire for the sacrament
   • Journaling throughout the preparation period

The Catholic Catechism – Confirmation