Confirmation Norms of the Diocese of Raleigh

1. Confirmation Norms of
the Diocese of Raleigh
An In-Service for
Catechetical Leaders
and
Youth Ministers

2. Words of Pope Francis
Confirmation April 28, 2013
The Holy Spirit is truly
transforming us, and through
us he also wants to transform
the world in which we live.
Let us open the doors to the
Spirit, let ourselves be guided
by him, and allow God’s
constant help to make us new
men and women, inspired by
the love of God which the Holy
Spirit bestows on us!

3. Sacraments of
Initiation
• Baptism
 Baptism initiates one into the
Paschal life and makes one part of
the Body of Christ
 It pardons sin and its punishment
 It bestows the dignity of being a child
of God
• Confirmation
 Strengthens and seals this immersion
and incorporation by the grace of the
Holy Spirit
• Holy Eucharist
 Nourishes the baptized so they may
mature in faith and be strengthened
for their mission as People of God

4. Confirmation
• RCIA as a lens for Confirmation
▫ Begins with evangelization
▫ Is the responsibility of the
community
▫ Catechesis leads to the
sacramental celebration
▫ Mystagogy follows the
sacramental celebration

5. Development of
Confirmation
• History
▫ Patristic Period (100-450)
 Baptism & Confirmation 2 sides of
same coin where Confirmation
immediately follows Baptism
 Holy Eucharist sustained the
initiated & strengthened the gifts
received in Baptism & Confirmation
▫ Scholastic Period (1100-1500)
 More linear understanding &
Sacraments seen as sequential
 Since infant Baptism the norm,
bishop could no longer confirm
everyone due to large numbers
 Growing theological distinction
between Baptism & Confirmation
 Holy Eucharist still third sacrament

6. Development of
Confirmation (con’t)
• History (con’t)
▫ 1910 St. Pius X
 Lowers the age of reason
 Encouraging frequent Communion
as integral part of Mass
 Confirmation becomes 3rd
sacrament
▫ Vatican II (1965)
 Wide range of pastoral
circumstances with those not
baptized as infants
 RCIA restores the order for these

7. Two Traditions
▫ Ancient Practice:
 Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy
Communion
▫ Current Practice:
 Baptism, Holy Communion,
Confirmation

8. Holy Spirit
▫ All formation should have an
explicit treatment of the Holy
Spirit
 as part of the Holy Trinity
 as a distinct person within the Trinity
 as the Holy Spirit relates to the
baptized Christian and the Body of
Christ
 Areas of importance regarding
the Holy Spirit
 Scripture
 Tradition

9. The Five Celebrations
of Confirmation in the
Roman Rite
• Celebration I: An unbaptized adult
or child of catechetical age
▫ Follow the RCIA/RCIA adapted for
children
• Celebration II: A baptized but
previously uncatechized adult or
child baptized in a separated
ecclesial community
 Prepare for profession of faith,
Confirmation and Holy Communion
 Celebrate the Rite of Reception
within Mass from the RCIA

10. The Five Celebrations
of Confirmation in the
Roman Rite
• Celebration III: A baptized but
previously uncatechized Roman
Catholic adult or child of catechetical
age
▫ Prepare for Confirmation and Holy
Communion with age-appropriate
formation
• Celebration V: A Roman Catholic
adult who has been baptized in
infancy and has received Holy
Communion
▫ Prepare for Confirmation with
appropriate formation of flexible
duration
▫ The minister of Confirmation is the
Bishop

11. Celebrations in Other
Circumstances
• Confirmations celebrated in the
Eastern Rite Catholic and Eastern
Orthodox Churches are valid
• Special needs—formation as to the
capability of the candidate
• Danger of death requires no formal
formation

12. The Five Celebrations
of Confirmation in the
Roman Rite
• Celebration IV: A child of
catechetical age who has been
baptized in infancy as a Roman
Catholic and has previously
received Holy Eucharist
▫ the one on which we are focusing
▫ 13 is the minimum age for those
preparing only for this sacrament
▫ As the ordinary norm for this
Diocese, reception of this group is
between the ages of 14-16

13. Responsibility for
Formation
• Responsibility for formation
follows the Rite of Christian
Initiation of Adults
▫ The Community of Faith
▫ Sponsor
▫ Parents/Grandparents
▫ Bishop
▫ Pastors
▫ Catechists
▫ Candidate

14. Sponsors
• Not a parent
• 16 years of age
• Fully initiated (all sacraments of
initiation)
• Vocation:
▫ Single, living in compliance with the
teachings of the Church
▫ Married, in a valid Catholic
marriage

15. Formation for
Confirmation
• Structure of the Rite of Christian
Initiation of Adults serves as a
guide
• Initial foci
▫ Evangelization
▫ Conversion
▫ Personal relationship with the Holy
Trinity and a church community
▫ Personal and communal spiritual
life
▫ Discipleship
• Challenges of contemporary life
• Liturgical catechesis

16. Formation for
Confirmation
• Evangelization
• Metanoia: Conversion
• Kerygma: The Essentials of the
Faith
• Koinonia: Community
• Leitourgia: Liturgy and Prayer
• Diakonia: Discipleship

17. Adolescent Formation
• Time Frame
▫ Process is two years, with an
appropriate period of
formation in relation to the
actual date of the
sacramental celebration
 fall/spring
▫ Two separated periods of
formation
Year 2Year 1 Mystagogy

18. Remote Formation
Remote formation/the first
year
 Academic year model
 Focus on the kerygma
 In parish, home, Catholic school, or
home school setting using
approved materials
 “20 questions”—basic truths of
faith
 Retreat—to develop relationship
with God and community
Year 1

19. Interview
• Between the end of the remote and
start of the proximate phase
• With the pastor/pastoral
administrator to determine readiness
and desire for Confirmation
Postponement of the
Sacrament
• No one should be forced to receive a
sacrament
• Candidates should understand
Confirmation and its effects on their
life of the Church
• Confirmation is required to be a
godparent/sponsor and for marriage

20. Proximate Formation
▫ Proximate Formation—second
year
 Models can vary (see 6.3.3b) with a
minimum of eight to ten weeks prior
to the celebration of the sacrament
 Focus on liturgical catechesis and the
rights and responsibilities connected
to Confirmation
 All candidates meet together for
formation except for extenuating
circumstances
 Day of Reflection—with opportunity
for Reconciliation
Year 2

21. Mystagogy
• Begins with the celebration of
Confirmation
• Involvement in the life of the
Church (participation in liturgical
ministries, parish activities, social
outreach, and faith formation)
• On-going formation in discipleship
• Prayer and personal relationship
with Jesus Christ
Mystagogy

22. The Confirmation Name
• Retaining the baptismal name
underscores the relationship
between Baptism and Confirmation
▫ If the candidate’s name is not
Christian in origin, a saint’s name is
ordinarily chosen
• An additional Confirmation name
(of a saint) is an approved custom
even if the baptismal name is
Christian
• Of particular importance is
familiarity with the life and
witness of the saint

23. Record Keeping
• Church where Confirmation is
celebrated is responsible to record
and notify Church of Baptism
• Parish of candidate should also
record information for the yearly
status animarum report

26. Additional
Components
• Discussion on
“20 Questions”
• Retreat models

27. Questions
and Answers
Conclusion
The Holy Spirit
came down upon the disciples
and set their hearts on fire with
love:
May he bless you,
keep you one in faith and love
and bring you to the joy of
God’s kingdom…
Rite of Confirmation 58