Confirmation - Parent's Guide (PDF)
Sample Lesson Plan
History
During the third and fourth centuries, concern for the integrity of the gospel in the time of persecution led to the development of a lengthy catechumenal process culminating in the celebration of the sacred mysteries during the Easter Vigil. During the vigil, the catechumens professed their faith and were baptized. Clothed in new white garments, they were presented to the bishop who confirmed them. They took their place in the assembly and completed their initiation by sharing in the Eucharist.
The rigors of the Catechumenate tested the sincerity of the candidates and, along with the prayers and support of the community, strengthened them in their faith. With the end of persecution and the growth of the church, the Catechumenate fell into disuse. In the East, the unity of the sacraments was preserved. Presbyters baptized, confirmed, and admitted infants to Eucharist. In the West, presbyters baptized infants, but bishops retained their prerogative to confirm. Distance and growing administrative concerns prevented the bishop from getting around his diocese to confirm. The completion of initiation—Confirmation and Eucharist—was delayed.
Later, it became the norm to delay Confirmation and Eucharist until the age of discretion when children could ratify the profession of faith made for them at baptism. The age of discretion was variously interpreted and this, along with the problem of availability of the bishop, led to the practice of Confirmation at different ages over time.
In 1910, Pope Pius X lowered the age for the reception of First Eucharist. This reversed the order of the sacraments of initiation. The Second Vatican Council called for the restoration of the Catechumenate for adults. The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, introduced in the United States in 1974 and mandated in 1988, restores the order and the unity of the sacraments of initiation for adults. The RCIA also provides an adaptation for use in the Christian initiation of unbaptized children who have reached catechetical age and restores the order and unity of the sacraments of initiation for them. Vatican II also calls for the revision of the Rite of Confirmation. Both the introduction to the 1971 Rite of Confirmation and Canon 891 postpone Confirmation to the age of discretion or even later.
Thus, we have two distinct orders for the initiation of children. For those baptized in infancy, completion of initiation is postponed to at least the age of discretion. For those who have reached to age of reason and were not baptized in infancy, what is prescribed for an adult is applicable; i.e. full initiation. (Canon 852)
If RCIA envisions a process of years for the preparation of adults for initiation, then a lengthy process for children is certainly in order. Vatican II and later catechetical congresses encouraged pastors to draw on the human sciences and read the signs of the times. These sciences have demonstrated the distinctiveness of both childhood and adolescence. Confirmation in adolescent years permits the recipients to place themselves more consciously in God’s loving care as they pronounce their yes to God, with all the insecurity that characterizes the human condition. It also permits them to express their belonging to a larger community, and it permits the community to express its encouragement to them in its own act of faith.
Canon law allows much latitude and suggests that the question of proper age for Confirmation is not yet closed. Given the above and the current pastoral practices of the Diocese of Buffalo, at this time, if a young person requests confirmation during the high school years, this celebration takes place ideally when the candidate is in the eleventh or twelfth grade with ninth grade being the earliest time.
Growth in faith is a life long process. It is essential that opportunities which foster formation and growth be continually offered for all persons in our faith communities. It is within the context of this on-going growth in faith of the community and the candidate that Confirmation and the preparation for the sacrament should be understood.
Role of the Community
It is the responsibility of the people of God to prepare the baptized for Confirmation. (Introduction to Rite of Confirmation) (#3). Although there is a core of sponsoring persons directly involved in the preparation process for Confirmation, the sacrament is part of an initiation into the whole community. When the community actively participates in the initiation process of welcoming, preparing, and supporting the candidate, it results in enormous benefit not only for those initiated, but for the entire community. Initiation of new members is inseparable from on-going conversion and renewal of the adult members of the local church.
The Role of Sponsoring Persons
“Sponsoring persons” are those who exercise specific individual ministries. Those who have particular roles in the sacramental preparation process are: families, sponsors, catechists, and clergy.
Family as Minister
The participation of the candidate’s family is an important factor in understanding when the sacramental process can best be begun and celebrated. The family encourages the candidate to dialogue with the parish priests and catechetical ministers regarding his/her readiness to seek Confirmation. By becoming more aware of the meaning of the initiation process, and by sharing this with the candidate, the family can fulfill its appropriate role. Interested participation in parish sponsored sessions for family members is an essential and important element.
Sponsor as Minister
The sponsor teaches faith by personal example; leads by being a model; lends support in difficulties; is prepared to vouch for the sincerity of the candidate; and is actively affiliated with the parish sacramental process.
Qualifications:
The Sponsor:
· understands and takes seriously his/her own baptismal promises
· is expected to show his/her continued acceptance of the Gospel challenge
· lives a life of faith in and through a parish affiliation
· needs to have completed the initiation process (received Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation)
· must be at least sixteen (16) years of age
· must receive a letter of recommendation from his/her pastor
· may not be the parent of the candidate
· may be the baptismal sponsor of the candidate
Preparation
The sponsor is called to:
· actively support and encourage
· pray with and for the candidate
· act as a faith mentor or guide
· be involved in the sacramental preparation process
The sponsor needs to realize that this ministry is on-going. It is the sponsor who is called to continue to nurture the faith of the fully initiated person beyond the sacramental celebration.
Catechist as Minister
The catechist, as witness and role model, actively participates in the community’s public worship and ministerial life. The catechist is responsible for:
· fostering a deeper understanding and knowledge of faith
· an awareness of ministerial possibilities
· communicating an understanding of Church as a sacramental and pilgrim people
Qualifications
The catechist, not only fulfills all diocesan requirements of those who work with young people, is also a person who:
· seeks to be continually updated in current theology
· understands adolescent faith development
· is attuned to the appropriate methods of faith formation
· is comfortable with different learning styles
· interacts effectively with other sponsoring persons to insure a balanced process of initiation for candidates
Clergy as Minister
As a liturgical and pastoral leader, the priest or deacon brings his own special presence to the Confirmation preparation process. He knows and experiences the diverse life and activities of the parish, and is acquainted with the candidates, their families, sponsors, and the catechists. He recognizes and appreciates his role in relation to the various other ministers of initiation, all of whom contribute to the common sacramental task.
The priest and the deacon:
· help the members of the parish community to understand their role toward the candidates.
· become familiar with the Confirmation preparation process by participating in its planning and on-going evaluation.
· are available to the candidates, sponsors, and catechists for spiritual counseling; priests are available for the Sacrament of Reconciliation and Eucharistic celebrations.
· join the other ministers of initiation in introducing the candidates to various parish ministries which they might enter.
The Role of the Candidate
Preparation - Parish centered Confirmation preparation is to be a special process distinct from and in addition to the on-going adult and youth catechesis which the parish provides. Becoming a fully initiated member of the Roman Catholic Church is the personal choice of an individual. After dialogue with their family and parish ministers, some individuals may decide to delay this commitment to full participation in the Church. It is important for those ministering to the individual to understand that people grow in faith in different ways. The length of time it takes for a person to be ready for full membership in the community depends “on the grace of God and on various circumstances.” (Introduction to the Rite of Christian Initiation #320).
Readiness and Willingness - Readiness cannot be determined by the calendar alone*. The process for determining readiness is one in which the individual who is seeking to enter a Confirmation preparation process is encouraged to dialogue with family, sponsors, parish priests, and catechetical ministers. Indicators of readiness include:
· weekly participation in the Eucharist and the prayer life of their faith community.
· the ability to freely request the Sacrament of Confirmation and to give the reasons for doing so.
· an adequate grasp of the basic content of the Catholic faith.
· an openness to growth in faith and opportunities for Christian service.
· a recognition by the candidate that he/she is a unique individual with gifts to offer and a willingness to share these gifts with the faith community.
*It is the policy of the Diocese of Buffalo that when a young person requests Confirmation during the high school years, the celebration takes place ideally when the candidate is in the eleventh or twelfth grade. When Confirmation is celebrated in the adolescent years, it affords the parish a significant opportunity to foster the faith maturity of adolescents
Elements of the preparation process include:
Retreat:
- at least one day in length which provides adequate time for the candidates to pray, reflect on their lives, their relationship with God, and the Sacrament of Confirmation
- is distinct from other high school experiences and retreats
- is a communal experience among candidates from one’s parish/program
Service:
· integral to all faith formation experiences within the parish, with emphasis placed on opportunities afforded rather than accumulation of hours.
· opportunities both within the parish community and the community at-large are encouraged.
Pre-Requisites Before Direct Preparation:
· readiness
· participation in systematic and comprehensive catechesis for at least two years in a parish setting or a Catholic high school.
Direct Preparation
Six to eight well-planned sessions which include a focus on the approved diocesan Confirmation curriculum (2004) and opportunities for prayer and reflection and apostolic service. Each session should be two to three hours long. Main areas of reflection include:
- relationship with Jesus and the Body of Christ (a Pilgrim People).
- meaning of the Sacraments of Initiation.
- mission of the Church and the Call to Ministry (Christian Lifestyle).
- personal prayer and community worship.
- individual gifts and talents and the Gifts of the Spirit.
- the creed and teachings of the Church
U.S. Bishops' Guidelines for the Celebration of the Sacraments With Persons With Disabilities
The following guidelines offering "a set of general principles to provide access to the sacraments for persons with disabilities" were approved by the U.S. Bishops during their June 15-17, 1995 meeting in Chicago, Illinois.
General Principles:
· By reason of their baptism, all Catholics are equal in dignity in the sight of God and have the same divine calling.
· Catholics with disabilities have a right to participate in the sacraments as full functioning members of the local ecclesial community. (Canon 213) Ministers are not to refuse the sacraments to those who ask for them at appropriate times, who are properly disposed, and who are not prohibited by law from receiving them. (Canon 843.1)
· In accordance with Canon 777.4, pastors are to be as inclusive as possible in providing evangelization, catechetical formation, and sacramental preparation for parishioners with disabilities. Persons with disabilities, their advocates, and their families, as well as those knowledgeable in serving disabled persons can make a most valuable contribution to these programs. Parish catechetical and sacramental preparation programs may need to be adapted for some parishioners with disabilities. Further, parishes should encourage persons with disabilities to participate in all levels of pastoral ministry according to their abilities.
Every Christian community considers those who suffer handicaps, physical or mental, as well as other forms of disability—especially children—as persons particularly beloved of the Lord. A growth in social and ecclesial consciousness, together with undeniable progress in specialized pedagogy, makes it possible for the family and other formative centers to provide adequate catechesis for these people, who, as baptized, have this right and, if non-baptized, because they are called to salvation. The love of the Father for the weakest of his children and the continuous presence of Jesus and His Spirit give assurance that every person, however limited, is capable of growth in holiness. (General Directory for Catechesis #189)
N.B. The Diocese of Buffalo provides support services for pastors to facilitate the evangelization, catechetical formation, and sacramental preparation for parishioners with disabilities. (Contact Department of Lifelong Faith Formation 716-847-5505)
Summary
Confirmation is a ratification and renewal of Baptism, freely and deliberately done. It is a continuation of the Christian’s baptismal commitment. The process of preparing for and celebrating Confirmation should stress the unity of Christian initiation.
Confirmation is a celebration of the Church, not merely a personal moment in the life of the individual. The local Church witnesses and accepts the commitment of the newly confirmed while the community affirms its own baptismal faith. It is important that the local community realize that it cannot ask more of the confirmation candidate than it is willing to do itself.
Resources
Catechism of the Catholic Church. New York: Image Books, 1995.
National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry, “The Challenge of Adolescent Catechesis: Maturing in Faith.” Washington, DC, 1986.
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, Liturgy Training Publications, Chicago, IL, 1988.
Roberto, John, Confirmation in the American Catholic Church, National Conference of Diocesan Directors of Religious Education, Washington, DC, 1986
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, National Directory for Catechesis. Washington, DC, 2005.