"The sacrament of confirmation impresses a character and by it the Baptized, continuing on the path of Christian initiation, are enriched by the gift of the Holy Spirit and bound more perfectly to the Church; it strengthens them and obliges them more firmly to be witnesses to Christ by word and deed and to spread and defend the faith." (Canon 879)

PREPARATION FOR THE SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION

1. Each baptized person, who has not been confirmed, has the right to the sacrament when that person meets the requirements articulated in Canon 889, as follows:
   
   1. The person has the use of reason;
   2. The person has been suitably instructed;
   3. The person is properly disposed;
   4. The person is able to renew his/her baptismal vows
   The pastor is charged with the responsibility of providing suitable catechesis for the celebration of this sacrament (c. 777).  This catechesis takes place within, and involves, the whole faith community. (NDC 114)
2. Catechesis for this sacrament is to include activities that will help further initiate young people into the Church.  Service activities, retreats, opportunities to celebrate the Sacrament of Penance, opportunities to request the sacrament, and personal interviews with members of the faith community, as well as doctrinal instruction, are integral parts of this preparation. The parish confirmation program should provide the students with texts, approved by the Bishop, which present the current teaching of the Church concerning Confirmation.
   
   Children not baptized as infants, but who are of the age of reason should receive the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist at the Easter Vigil, along with other catechumens.  This should only take place after proper catechesis, which may take several years.  (NDC 119)
   
   Through the catechetical process, the candidate should be able to:
   
   1. Articulate some understanding of the role of the Holy Spirit in his/her life;
   2. Demonstrate some understanding of the sacraments of initiation: baptism, confirmation and Eucharist;
   3. Demonstrate involvement in the Catholic Christian community;
   4. Approach the sacrament freely;
3. Parents are the primary educators of their children (Christian Education, paragraph 3, Vatican II documents).  As such, they are responsible, together with parish priests, parish catechetical leaders, and catechists, for determining readiness of their children to celebrate sacraments.  The parish has the responsibility of providing programs that will help meet the needs of those parents, helping them understand and fulfill their right and responsibility to educate their children.
4. If the name of a Christian saint was given to the person in baptism, the candidate may choose to retain this name. A new name, however, may be chosen if the baptismal name is not that of a Christian saint or if the candidate chooses another saint to model during this special time.
5. The preference for sponsors is the baptismal godparent(s), when possible.  The criteria for sponsors, according to the Code of Canon Law (cc. 893, 874) are as follows:
   
   1. Designated by the candidate or parents;
   2. At least sixteen years old;
   3. A confirmed Catholic who lives a life that is in harmony with the faith and the role to be undertaken;
   4. Not be bound by any canonical penalty;
   5. Not be the father or the mother of the one to be confirmed;

            Parents may, however, present their children to the Bishop for the sacrament.

PARISH GUIDELINES

Parishes are to write and publicize their guidelines and requirements for the catechesis for this sacrament, in accord with these guidelines and in consultation with the Diocesan Office of Religious Education and the Dean.  Parish guidelines should state a definite time for registration, the requirements for entering the program, and the length of preparation.  Those desiring to be prepared and their parents should be made fully aware of what is required for confirmation.

THE LITURGY OF CONFIRMATION

1. The ordinary context of the Sacrament of Confirmation is a Eucharistic liturgy, with the Bishop as celebrant.  The Bishop may, however, appoint a vicar or another priest to administer the sacrament.  Other priests may be called upon at the time of celebration to assist him in the anointing because of the size of the group being confirmed.
2. Careful planning and coordinating of the celebration is required because of the solemnity of the occasion and its significance to the entire community.  The pastor should be familiar with the Rite of Confirmation and materials made available through the Office of Religious Education and the Diocese,for assistance in preparing the candidates and celebrating the ritual(s) of confirmation.
3. In planning the liturgical celebration, every effort should be made to show the relationship between the three sacraments of initiation.  The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults provides the model for catechesis and liturgical celebration.
4. The readings for confirmation are superseded by the readings of the day on Sundays of Advent, Lent and Easter; Ash Wednesday, during Holy Week or on solemnities; and by all anticipated Masses.  To be able to better celebrate the liturgy of confirmation with its own readings, a day other than these should be chosen.
5. In confirmation, the Christian is signed with the gift of the Spirit and commissioned to assume responsibility for the building up of the Body of Christ on earth.  The choice of music, therefore, should not be limited to hymns and songs to and about the Holy Spirit, but should also include songs related to baptism and Christian life as well as those that speak of witness and service in the world.

CONFIRMATION BY A PRIEST WHEN RECEIVING A BAPTIZED CHRISTIAN INTO FULL COMMUNION WITH THE CATHOLIC FAITH

When receiving a baptized Christian of another denomination into full communion with the Catholic Church, the priest should administer the sacrament of confirmation.  The principles set forth in the Rite of Reception of Baptized Christians into Full Communion with the Catholic Church are to be followed:

1. The term "convert" should not be applied to baptized Christians on the occasion of their entrance into full Catholic communion.
2. The sacrament of baptism may NOT be repeated.  Conditional baptism is allowed only when there is reasonable doubt about the fact of the validity of baptism already received; even then baptism is to be administered in the private form.
3. The rite should take place during a Eucharistic celebration when a significant segment of the parish community is present.  Communion under both kinds is especially appropriate at such a celebration.  For good reason, the Rite of Reception may take place at another time; however, this should be an exception.
4. Preparation for reception into the Church is best provided through the process as outlined in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults.  The Office of Evangelization has materials available for pastors desiring to set up such a process.

CONFIRMATION BY A PRIEST AFTER BAPTIZING AN ADULT

A priest who lawfully baptizes adults has the faculty from law to confirm them.

1. According to ancient practice of the Roman Liturgy, an adult is not to be baptized unless he or she receives confirmation immediately.
2. The model for preparation for confirmation of adults in the Catholic faith is the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults.
3. The best time for baptism/confirmation of adults is at the Easter Vigil celebration.  If this is not possible, it should take place at a Sunday Mass.

CONFIRMATION OF ADULTS WHO WERE BAPTIZED INTO THE CATHOLIC CHURCH AS INFANTS

An adult who was baptized as an infant into the Catholic Church, but has not received the Sacraments of Eucharist and/or Confirmation is to be enrolled in an appropriate program of catechesis and formation.  A priest of the diocese may administer the Sacrament of the Eucharist by virtue of his office, but must receive delegation in writing from the Bishop in order to confirm this individual.

CONFIRMATION OF A PERSON IN DANGER OF DEATH

Any priest may confirm a sick person who is in danger of death and has reached the age of reason.  This should take place after proper catechesis and before the distribution of Viaticum.  (See Rite of Confirmation #52)

RECORDS

The pastor must record in a special book the names of the minister, those confirmed, parents, sponsors, and the date and place of confirmation.  This is in addition to the notation in the Baptismal Register.

If a person was baptized in another parish, notification of reception of confirmation must be sent to that parish for proper recording in its Baptismal Register.

Promulgated:  April 23, 2008
Effective:  July 1, 2008 

 
+Glen John Provost
Bishop of Lake Charles