Sacramental Preparation for Confirmation is a process that involves both youth and their parents and is distinct from ongoing faith formation and youth ministry. Its purpose is to prepare families for the celebration of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at the Rite of Confirmation and for fuller participation in the Body of Christ. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (1212) teaches us that, “The faithful are born anew by Baptism, strengthened by the sacrament of Confirmation, and receive in the Eucharist the food of eternal life.”
This process serves as immediate preparation for Confirmation. It breaks open the “Word” and the “symbol” of the rite through a study of the scripture, symbols, gestures, music, and ritual text that is associated with the sacrament.
“Receive the Holy Spirit.” -John 20:22
Each year, our parish offers sacramental catechesis for these sacraments. Diocesan policy states that these sacraments are to be received in the parish of which the candidate is a member. The catechesis must take place in the parish community and not at a local Catholic school; hence our sacramental catechesis is separate and distinct from our faith formation program.