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. - Lumen Gentium 11
At St. Joseph and St. Paul we typically confirm juniors and sophomores. The preparation for this sacrament is a two year program, which is required. The date of confirmation changes each time depending on what works for the parish and the bishop of the Diocese of Salina.
REQUIREMENTS and DOCUMENTS
- Baptismal certificate if baptized outside of the four parishes
- Confirmation Sponsor
- Must be a Catholic who has been confirmed and has already received the most holy sacrament of the Eucharist and who leads a life of faith in keeping with the function to be taken on (Code of Canon Law - canon 871 para 1 article 3)
- Can not be a parent, and is encouraged to be the Godparent from baptism if possible. - Confirmation Saint
- It is a tradition to choose a Saint or Blessed to become a patron or patroness of the one to be confirmed. Choosing this holy person or angel can come about in a variety of ways: current devotion to, named after them, the holy person's patronage is something one has dealt with in ones life or might be considering a career of which they are the patron. The confirmandee will present their choice to class, teacher(s) and pastor using the following layout: Saint Presentation Sheet - The confirmandee will be required to attend a retreat. The date and time will be made known months beforehand barring unforeseen circumstances.
- The confirmandee will write a hand-written letter to the bishop of the Diocese of Salina. An outline will be provided by the pastor when that time comes.
- If one can not attend the Confirmation Mass at the four parishes when it is scheduled, please let the pastor know ASAP. The pastor can then contact surrounding parishes and get the confirmandee into that celebration.
