What are your goals with your Confirmation program?
Published on Apr 02, 2020
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PRESENTATION OUTLINE
What are your goals with your Confirmation program?
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What is discipleship?
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Confirmation is
- a sacrament of initiation; it is linked directly to baptism and Eucharist
- a strengthening of
- the gifts of the Holy Spirit
- our capacity and desire to witness to our faith
- our relationship with the Church universal, local, and parish
Through this strengthening we are more firmly bound to Christ and are consecrated as witnesses to his love.
Photo by Grant Whitty
“The sacrament of confirmation strengthens the baptized and obliges them more firmly to be witnesses of Christ by word and deed and to spread and defend the faith. It imprints a character, enriches by the gift of the Holy Spirit the baptized continuing on the path of Christian initiation, and binds them more perfectly to the Church.”
Code of Canon Law, 879
Confirmation is a strengthening of baptism that leads to a greater communion in Eucharist and witness to the world. Other Christian denominations have different visions for confirmation; some of these ideas have also taken root in the preparation practices of Catholic parishes.
For example, in our tradition, confirmation is not youth’s ratification of baptism (see CCC, 1308). The grace of baptism is an indelible mark; youth need to accept these graces and live out their promises, but the Sacrament of Confirmation is not a decision point for youth to decide if they intend to be Catholic for life because baptism does not need “ratification.” Through prayer and preparation, youth open themselves to receive the gift that God has planned. Confirmation is also not a rite of passage into adult faith or the sacrament of Christian maturity. In many dioceses, confirmation is provided at the age of seven (age of discretion). Confirmation is a sacrament of initiation, so if someone has also received baptism and is receiving Eucharist, then after receiving confirmation, that person is fully initiated. This can occur at a variety of ages.
The key is to focus upon God’s action in providing the gift of the Sacrament of Confirmation. As an unwarranted gift of God, this sacrament should celebrate what God is doing and what God seeks to do in the life of the confirmandi.
For example, in our tradition, confirmation is not youth’s ratification of baptism (see CCC, 1308). The grace of baptism is an indelible mark; youth need to accept these graces and live out their promises, but the Sacrament of Confirmation is not a decision point for youth to decide if they intend to be Catholic for life because baptism does not need “ratification.” Through prayer and preparation, youth open themselves to receive the gift that God has planned. Confirmation is also not a rite of passage into adult faith or the sacrament of Christian maturity. In many dioceses, confirmation is provided at the age of seven (age of discretion). Confirmation is a sacrament of initiation, so if someone has also received baptism and is receiving Eucharist, then after receiving confirmation, that person is fully initiated. This can occur at a variety of ages.
The key is to focus upon God’s action in providing the gift of the Sacrament of Confirmation. As an unwarranted gift of God, this sacrament should celebrate what God is doing and what God seeks to do in the life of the confirmandi.
“Faith is a gift, the Holy Spirit is a gift, and sacraments celebrate the unmerited grace of God. Confirmation celebrates what God does, not what teens have shouldered.”
Rev. Paul Turner Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions FDLC Newsletter
These understandings are important because sometimes the pastoral practices of a parish can be shaped by misguided interpretations. For example, some parishes overly emphasize the sense of youth’s choice in confirmation. In these cases, the preparation process is consistently informing youth of their choice to receive and the commitment that they are making. Similarly, some parishes imitate the processes of Christian initiation in developing their confirmation preparation. All catechesis is informed by initiatory catechesis, but it is absurd for youth who are baptized and receiving Eucharist to be treated as though they are now “choosing” membership in the church and beginning their initiation. One parish, in imitation of the Rite of Christian Initiation, had the youth who were beginning their preparation process go outside and knock on the door to ask to be received inside. Imagine the confusion for a youth who one week was receiving communion with the community and the following week is forced to request entry to his own faith home.
Another pastoral concern is parishes that overly emphasize the “readiness” of youth to receive by creating rigorous processes with numerous requirements and various points of determining whether youth should be excluded from receiving. Canonical guidelines are clear. Confirmation is not reserved for an exclusive group within the church. All baptized persons are “obliged” to receive the sacrament (see Code of Canon Law, 890).
Another pastoral concern is parishes that overly emphasize the “readiness” of youth to receive by creating rigorous processes with numerous requirements and various points of determining whether youth should be excluded from receiving. Canonical guidelines are clear. Confirmation is not reserved for an exclusive group within the church. All baptized persons are “obliged” to receive the sacrament (see Code of Canon Law, 890).
Suitably instructed
- Able to participate in the Rite of Confirmation
- Able to renew baptismal promises
- Catechized as appropriate to age
The requirements focus on prayerful preparation to receive the sacrament. To receive confirmation, a baptized person should be suitably instructed, properly disposed, able to renew the baptismal graces. At the time of receiving the sacrament, one should be in a state of grace, have recently received the Sacrament of
Reconciliation, have a sponsor, and should have engaged in intense prayer to prepare to receive the sacrament.
Reconciliation, have a sponsor, and should have engaged in intense prayer to prepare to receive the sacrament.
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Properly disposed
- Attitude of openness
- Relationship with God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
- Relationship with the Church – Universal and Parish
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Other
- Participated in the Sacrament of Reconciliation
- Has a sponsor
- Engaged in period of intense prayer in preparation to receive
Understanding these requirements helps us to create a preparation process which focuses on those elements described in the documents. One of the big considerations is choosing how much to require from a confirmation candidate. We hope that the process of preparing will lead to greater participation in the parish and in youth ministry. When the preparation process is too big and has too many requirements, youth often feel a sense of “graduation” from participation which is the opposite of what we hope for.
Leaders often ask the question, “How can we encourage our young people to participate in youth ministry after they are confirmed?” The parish and her ministries are the context for receiving confirmation. The question is not how to encourage youth participation after confirmation. Effective parishes find ways for youth to experience their preparation for confirmation as part of parish life and youth ministry. Communities that invest in creating vibrant ministry
with youth experience increased participation of youth
before, during, and after their participation in
preparation processes. We can be intentional and connect
youth to the living faith in the parish, in youth ministry,
and in their families as a vital part of their preparation.
These connections will help us achieve our hopes.
What do we hope for? We hope that preparation for
confirmation leads to new attitudes of the heart, new understandings and new capacities.
Leaders often ask the question, “How can we encourage our young people to participate in youth ministry after they are confirmed?” The parish and her ministries are the context for receiving confirmation. The question is not how to encourage youth participation after confirmation. Effective parishes find ways for youth to experience their preparation for confirmation as part of parish life and youth ministry. Communities that invest in creating vibrant ministry
with youth experience increased participation of youth
before, during, and after their participation in
preparation processes. We can be intentional and connect
youth to the living faith in the parish, in youth ministry,
and in their families as a vital part of their preparation.
These connections will help us achieve our hopes.
What do we hope for? We hope that preparation for
confirmation leads to new attitudes of the heart, new understandings and new capacities.
Photo by danielfoster437
Heart
- Friendship with Christ, Openness to the Holy Spirit
- Belonging to Church – Universal and Parish
What do you hope youth will care about? What attitudes do you hope young people will develop? (Feelings and Attitudes)
Photo by vestman
Head
- Creed
- Baptismal Promises
- Rite of Confirmation
What do you hope young people will learn and know? (Understandings and Knowledge)
Photo by Daniel Robert
hands
- Live Out Baptismal Promises
- Witness to Their Faith
- Participate in the Rite of Confirmation
HANDS: What do you hope young people will be able to do? (Behaviors and Actions)
Photo by Diego PH
"...the vital core of the new evangelization must be a clear and unequivocal proclamation of the person of Jesus Christ...” (#66)
St. John Paul II, Ecclesia in America, 1999
These hopes echo the direction and the energy of the New Evangelization since they promote young people’s ability to witness to their faith and to live their faith with renewed zeal. The New Evangelization reminds us that we should be open to new ways to inspire and guide people of all ages into deeper relationship with Christ.
(Evangelization is to be) “new in its ardor, methods and expression” (#6).... “In accepting this mission, everyone should keep in mind that the vital core of the newevangelization must be a clear and unequivocal proclamation of the person of Jesus Christ...” (#66)
Pope John Paul II, Ecclesia in America, 1999
To prepare youth for confirmation in light of the New Evangelization, we can focus on three phases of preparation: encounter with Christ, formation in faith, and response as disciples.
(Evangelization is to be) “new in its ardor, methods and expression” (#6).... “In accepting this mission, everyone should keep in mind that the vital core of the newevangelization must be a clear and unequivocal proclamation of the person of Jesus Christ...” (#66)
Pope John Paul II, Ecclesia in America, 1999
To prepare youth for confirmation in light of the New Evangelization, we can focus on three phases of preparation: encounter with Christ, formation in faith, and response as disciples.
Photo by Rob Oo
encounter with christ
- “The definitive aim of catechesis is to put people not only in touch but in communion, in intimacy, with Jesus Christ” Catechesi Tradendae, #5
In this first phase, we focus on evangelization and proclamation of the Good News in new ways to youth people by promoting an encounter with the living Christ. Where are the places that young people encounter God’s presence? In prayer, nature, Scripture, sacraments, community, family, etc. To promote this encounter, we provide experiences and promote relationships that provide a first-hand experience of faith. During this phase we should be very attentive to helping youth recall and experience the Good News directly related to the cares and concerns of their life today. We should provide for opportunities for faith witness and faith sharing, for affective prayer experiences, for an experience of service to others.
“The definitive aim of catechesis is to put people not only in touch but in communion, in intimacy, with Jesus Christ”
Catechesi Tradendae, #5
“The definitive aim of catechesis is to put people not only in touch but in communion, in intimacy, with Jesus Christ”
Catechesi Tradendae, #5
Photo by Jon Tyson
Formation in faith
- “The believer who professes his or her faith is taken up, as it were, into the truth being professed. He or she cannot truthfully recite the words of the creed without being changed, without becoming part of that history of love which embraces us and expands our being, making it part of a great fellowship, the ultimate subject which recites the creed, namely, the Church. All the truths in which we believe point to the mystery of the new life of faith as a journey of communion with the living God.” Pope Francis and Pope Benedict XVI, Lumen Fidei, #45, 2013
The second phase provides formation for discipleship and can focus on strengthening faith understanding in youth and their sense of Catholic identity. This should include attention to understanding our creed and an ability to renew baptismal promises. Within this phase, candidates can experience formation in our core beliefs and explore Catholic identity by learning about saints, Catholic practices, and spirituality. Candidates can also deepen their understanding and formation by experiencing mission and service. This phase of the process could also include connections to the specific ministries, community life, worship, and catechesis of the parish community.
“The believer who professes his or her faith is taken up, as it were, into the truth being professed. He or she cannot truthfully recite the words of the creed without being changed, without becoming part of that history of love which embraces us and expands our being, making it part of a great fellowship, the ultimate subject which recites the creed, namely, the Church. All the truths in which we believe point to the mystery of the new life of faith as a journey of communion with the living God.”
Pope Francis and Pope Benedict XVI, Lumen Fidei, #45, 2013
“The believer who professes his or her faith is taken up, as it were, into the truth being professed. He or she cannot truthfully recite the words of the creed without being changed, without becoming part of that history of love which embraces us and expands our being, making it part of a great fellowship, the ultimate subject which recites the creed, namely, the Church. All the truths in which we believe point to the mystery of the new life of faith as a journey of communion with the living God.”
Pope Francis and Pope Benedict XVI, Lumen Fidei, #45, 2013
response as disciples
- “Good news! God the Father desires us to be intimate with him. In Jesus, God the Son has emptied himself and united himself with us. Proceeding from the Father and the Son, God the Holy Spirit has fallen upon us in the sacrament of baptism and propelled us mystically into union with the Body of Christ Jesus. The same Holy Spirit that descended upon us, the bond of love between Father and the Son, the very life of God moves mightily within our lungs and permeates the totality of our existence.” Proclaiming the Good News: Resources for Evangelizing the Youth Church. National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry, 2012, p. 4.
The final phase of the process is the response of the disciple. This will include the immediate preparation to participate in the Rite for Confirmation. It will also include participation in the Sacrament of Reconciliation and time for prayer and reflection prior to receiving the sacrament. A disciple is compelled to share the love they have received with others so this phase also includes the ways that youth will become engaged in faith witness, ministry, service, and mission as part of their response to receiving the sacrament. A disciple needs continued nourishment through sacrament, community, continued catechesis, and prayer which the newly confirmed will experience through participation in the life of the parish, youth ministry, and through faith sharing with their family.
“Good news! God the Father desires us to be intimate with
him. In Jesus, God the Son has emptied himself and united
himself with us. Proceeding from the Father and the Son,
God the Holy Spirit has fallen upon us in the sacrament of
baptism and propelled us mystically into union with the
Body of Christ Jesus. The same Holy Spirit that descended upon us, the bond of love between Father and the Son, the very life of God moves mightily within our lungs and permeates the totality of our existence.”
Proclaiming the Good News: Resources for Evangelizing the Youth Church.
National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry, 2012, p. 4.
To help youth to respond as disciples we help them become connected to an ongoing service or ministry role so that they are actively sharing faith and sharing God’s love with others. We also need to connect them more deeply to the sources that will nourish and sustain them as disciples: the sacraments, especially Eucharist, God’s living Word in Scripture, personal prayer, active participation in the faith community, and faithful witnesses of faith who will support their continued discipleship.
“Good news! God the Father desires us to be intimate with
him. In Jesus, God the Son has emptied himself and united
himself with us. Proceeding from the Father and the Son,
God the Holy Spirit has fallen upon us in the sacrament of
baptism and propelled us mystically into union with the
Body of Christ Jesus. The same Holy Spirit that descended upon us, the bond of love between Father and the Son, the very life of God moves mightily within our lungs and permeates the totality of our existence.”
Proclaiming the Good News: Resources for Evangelizing the Youth Church.
National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry, 2012, p. 4.
To help youth to respond as disciples we help them become connected to an ongoing service or ministry role so that they are actively sharing faith and sharing God’s love with others. We also need to connect them more deeply to the sources that will nourish and sustain them as disciples: the sacraments, especially Eucharist, God’s living Word in Scripture, personal prayer, active participation in the faith community, and faithful witnesses of faith who will support their continued discipleship.
Confirmation = Beginning
It’s all about helping youth, parents, and the faith community see the reception of confirmation as a beginning. My friend, Sister Eileen McCann, CSJ, former Coordinator for Youth and Young Adults for the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops, prepared a community of youth to receive confirmation this past year. At one point, she asked the young people if any of them were getting their driver’s
license. She invited them to describe the process of getting a permit,
taking drivers education classes, practicing behind the wheel, and
preparing for the tests. She asked them, “What would you think of
someone who goes through all of the trouble of getting their license
but never drives?” “That would be stupid.” “What a waste of time.”
“Why, would anyone do that?” Then she told them, “That’s exactly
what you would be doing if you let your reception of confirmation
be the end of your participation in our parish!”
Preparing youth to receive God’s gift of strengthening in the
Sacrament of Confirmation is part of the ongoing evangelization and
conversion for adolescents. We can give this preparation process a good home by situating it within the youth ministry, catechesis, and faith life of the Church— connecting youth more deeply to the universal church, the local church as diocese, the parish, and the domestic church of their family. We situate confirmation preparation as part of youth ministry, and we utilize the people, ministries, worship, service, and community life of the parish as part of preparation. We support families in this important moment so that they continue to share faith, pray together and do service together.
Knowing that we are privileged to help youth prepare for confirmation, we connect, we engage, we witness, and we provide space for prayer, faith growth, service, and reflection. Then we stand back and get out of the way of the Holy Spirit, who has plans for these young people that are beyond our imagination!
license. She invited them to describe the process of getting a permit,
taking drivers education classes, practicing behind the wheel, and
preparing for the tests. She asked them, “What would you think of
someone who goes through all of the trouble of getting their license
but never drives?” “That would be stupid.” “What a waste of time.”
“Why, would anyone do that?” Then she told them, “That’s exactly
what you would be doing if you let your reception of confirmation
be the end of your participation in our parish!”
Preparing youth to receive God’s gift of strengthening in the
Sacrament of Confirmation is part of the ongoing evangelization and
conversion for adolescents. We can give this preparation process a good home by situating it within the youth ministry, catechesis, and faith life of the Church— connecting youth more deeply to the universal church, the local church as diocese, the parish, and the domestic church of their family. We situate confirmation preparation as part of youth ministry, and we utilize the people, ministries, worship, service, and community life of the parish as part of preparation. We support families in this important moment so that they continue to share faith, pray together and do service together.
Knowing that we are privileged to help youth prepare for confirmation, we connect, we engage, we witness, and we provide space for prayer, faith growth, service, and reflection. Then we stand back and get out of the way of the Holy Spirit, who has plans for these young people that are beyond our imagination!
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