Year 1 Confirmation Formation
CONFIRMATION:
As many of you know, Confirmation requires two years of preparation. This preparation typically begins in the 7th grade year so that students receive their Confirmation in their 8th grade year. 7th grade focuses on the roots of our faith and their own faith formation and 8th graders focus even more intently on the Sacrament of Confirmation.
Over the next year, our goal as a faith community (pastor, pastoral staff, parishioners, parents, and family) is to spiritually prepare the young people who present themselves for Confirmation.
FORMATION
The 7th grade year is primarily focused on their faith formation. The presumption is that candidates who present themselves for Confirmation have received prior appropriate catechetical formation (religious education). Our expectation is that the candidate will be participating in two consecutive years of Religious Education classes (the 2022-2023 year and the 2023-2024 year). The formation required is not to make the youth jump through hoops to get things done, but to encourage a way of life.
There are no forms or events required for 7th graders. Although, if they choose, they can get a head start on their 8th grade requirements.
SPONSOR
Each candidate must have an individual sponsor. The sponsor accompanies the candidate on his or her journey of preparation, presents the candidate to the Bishop, and helps the candidate to understand the fullness of life in Christ. The sponsor should be someone who is significant in the Catholic lifestyle of the candidate. The Baptismal godparent can be the sponsor for Confirmation, but the sponsor cannot be the Candidate’s mother or father. Students do not have to declare who their sponsor is until their 8th grade year.
SERVICE AND SPIRITUAL EVENT REFLECTIONS
Each candidate will attend two service OR spiritual events with their families. This is to encourage spiritual growth in the family and especially to help enhance the candidate's own spiritual journey. Service and Spiritual events are included on both the 7th and 8th grade RE calendars. However, they can also attend any other event our parish or local community offers. For each event, the students will write a reflection on their experience. Guiding questions will be provided. The reflections are not due until their 8th grade year.
CONFIRMATION RETREAT
Each candidate will participate in a Confirmation Retreat here at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel. They are typically offered in February or March in their 8th grade year. More information will come closer to that time.
CONFIRMATION SAINT NAMES
Candidates are asked to choose a Confirmation name so start thinking about this now. The Confirmation name can either be the Candidate’s own baptismal name (if it is the name of a Saint) or the name of a saint whose life he or she greatly admires. Each Candidate will do research on their chosen Confirmation name and write a report on that saint. Students do not need to declare their Saint name until their 8th grade year.
INTERVIEW
Each candidate will participate in an interview prior to receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation. These sessions are typically scheduled for mid-late March of their 8th grade year. A parish staff member will conduct the interview, which we anticipate will last 15 minutes. This is an opportunity for individual discussion and continuing formation. More information to come.
