PREPARATION FOR AND CELEBRATION OF CONFIRMATION THE CATHOLIC CHURCH TEACHES:
“In the sacrament of confirmation, the apostles and the bishops, who are their successors, hand on to the baptized the special gift of the Holy Spirit, promised by Christ the Lord and poured out upon the apostles at Pentecost. Thus, the initiation in the Christian life is completed so that believers are strengthened by power from heaven, made true witnesses of Christ in word and deed, and bound more closely to the Church” (The Rite of Confirmation Decree Prot. N. 800/71)

“As with Baptism, catechesis for this sacrament takes place within the parish community, which has an obligation to participate in the catechetical preparation of those to be confirmed. The parish is the faith community into whose life of prayer and worship they will be more fully initiated. It also embodies the message to which they are to respond and gives witness, in service, to the faith they profess. The parish should strive to catechize on behalf of ‘obedience to Christ’ and ‘loyal testimony to him’ through the power of the Holy Spirit” (The National Catechetical Directory #119).

“As primary educators of their children, parents, along with sponsors, are to be intimately involved in catechesis for Confirmation. This will help them renew and strengthen their own faith, besides enabling them to set a better example for their children or godchildren” (National Catechetical Directory #119).
“The National Conference of Catholic Bishops, in accord with the prescriptions of canon 891, hereby decrees that the Sacrament of Confirmation in the Latin Rite shall be conferred between the age of discretion and about sixteen years of age, within the limits determined by the diocesan bishop and with regard for the legitimate exceptions given in canon 891.”… The effective date of this decree for all the Latin Rite dioceses in the United States will be July 1, 2002. (NCCB Letter from the President 08.21.2001)

“To receive Confirmation, one must be in the state of grace. One should receive the sacrament of Penance in order to be cleansed for the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Catechism of the Catholic Church #1310).

For more information about the sacrament of Confirmation, please contact Karen Masters at kmasters@youngstowndiocese.org.