Confirmation
Baptism, the Eucharist, and the sacrament of Confirmation together constitute the "sacraments of
Christian initiation," whose unity must be safeguarded. It must be
explained to the faithful that the reception of the sacrament of Confirmation
is necessary for the completion of baptismal grace. For "by the sacrament
of Confirmation, [the baptized] are more perfectly bound to the Church and are
enriched with a special strength of the Holy Spirit. Hence, they are, as true
witnesses of Christ, more strictly obliged to spread and defend the faith by
word and deed. (#1285)
When Confirmation is
celebrated separately from Baptism, as is the case in the Roman Rite, the
Liturgy of Confirmation begins with the renewal of baptismal promises and the
profession of faith by the confirmands. This clearly shows that Confirmation
follows Baptism. When adults are baptized, they immediately receive
Confirmation and participate in the Eucharist. (#1298)
Every baptized person not
yet confirmed can and should receive the sacrament of Confirmation. Since
Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist form a unity, it follows that "the
faithful are obliged to receive this sacrament at the appropriate time,"
for without Confirmation and Eucharist, Baptism is certainly valid and
efficacious, but Christian initiation remains incomplete. (#1306)
To receive Confirmation
one must be in a state of grace. One should receive the sacrament of Penance in
order to be cleansed for the gifts of the Holy Spirit. More intense prayer
should prepare one to receive the strength and graces of the Holy Spirit with
docility and readiness to act. (Acts 1:14 and #1310)
Candidates for
Confirmation, as for Baptism, fittingly seek the spiritual help of a sponsor.
To emphasize the unity of the two sacraments, it is appropriate that this be
one of the baptismal godparents. (#1311)
For Catholics baptized as infants and who have
received appropriate religious education, the Sacrament of Confirmation is
celebrated with members of our neighboring Parish, St. Andrew.
The following conditions apply.
- Catholics of High School
age must receive special two-year preparation to receive this sacrament,
usually in the 8th and 9th grades. Such preparation
includes catechesis concerning the gifts of the spirit and a service retreat
held each year.
- The Sacrament is celebrated every year at the Cathedral.
- For people over the age of 6 who are un-baptized or who have been
baptized in another Faith tradition or who have been baptized Catholics
who have not received religious education, Confirmation may be received
during the Easter Vigil after completing preparation through the RCIA
process. (See RCIA for Adults or RCIA for Children
2012 NINTH GRADE CONFIRMATION INFORMATION:
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton and St. Andrew Parish ninth graders prepare for receiving Confirmation together. Parent Facilitators will be needed for each of our week-long summer formation sessions. The groups, a mix of students from both parishes, meet for faith formation. This year’s dates are:
Confirmation Information Meeting for Parent/Candidate on Monday, May 9, 2011 from 7:00 to 8:00pm at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in the church. This will be the only meeting where the entire program will be explained.
Facilitator Training: (choose one of the two sessions): Monday, June 6, 2011, from 10:00 to 11:00am @ Seton; or Monday June 6, 2011, from 7:00 to 8:00pm at Seton; both sessions held in the Fr. Wenzel Room.
Formation Session 1 (All candidates choose one of the following two sessions):
Monday - Thursday, June 20-23, 2011, from 6:00 to 9:00pm - Formation Session 1A @ Seton
OR
Monday-Friday, August 1-5, 2011 from 8:00 to 11:00am - Formation Session 1B @ Seton
Formation Session 2:
Thursday, September 1, 2011, at 7:00-9:00pm @ St. Andrew Church Hall (basement)
Formation Session 3:
Thursday, November 10, 2011, at 7:00-9:00pm @ St. Andrew Church Hall (basement)
Retreats (candidates attend both retreats):
Sunday, October 30, 2011, 10:00 to 3:00 (including Mass) @ Jesuit Spiritual Center at Milford
Saturday, March 3, 2012 from 10:00 to 12:00 noon, Candidate/Sponsor Retreat and Rehearsal at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
Service Project Reflection Paper Due Dates:
August 1, 2011 - Reflection #1
November 1, 2011 - Reflection #2
February 1, 2012 - Reflection #3
Confirmation:
March 4, 2012 at 2:00pm at the Cathedral of St. Peter in Chains.
If you have questions or need more information, please contact Patty Norris, DRE at 575-0119
