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The Sacrament of Confirmation
Confirmation at Corpus Christi is part of
Religious Education. We work to bring teens closer to Christ through the Sacraments of the Church.
The Catholic Church considers Confirmation the second of the three Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism being the first and Communion the third). Confirmation is regarded as the perfection of Baptism, because, as the introduction to the Rite of Confirmation states:
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.
Many people think of the laying on of hands, which signifies the descent of the Holy Spirit, as the central act in the Sacrament of Confirmation. The essential element, however, is the anointing of the confirm and (the person being confirmed) with chrism (an aromatic oil that has been consecrated by a bishop). The anointing is accompanied by the words "Be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit". This seal is a consecration, representing the safeguarding by the Holy Spirit of the graces conferred on the Christian at Baptism. -
Requirements for Confirmation
The CANDIDATE may request to receive the Sacrament if s/he...- Is baptized and is able to renew baptismal promises unless a grave reason suggests otherwise.
- Has received the most Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist and leads a life of faith consistent with the teachings of the Catholic Church.
- Attended formal religious education (i.e. CCE classes or Catholic School) the year prior to the sacramental year.)
- Exhibits an active faith life and knowledge of the Church.
- Participates in the sacramental life of the church, especially Eucharistic liturgies- Mass.
- Commits to active involvement in the parish Confirmation catechesis.
- Responds to the call of active ministry.
- Continues to learn and grow in faith following Confirmation and throughout his/her lifetime.
“To receive Confirmation one must be in a state of grace. One should receive the sacrament of penance in order to be cleansed for the gift of the Holy Spirit. More intense prayer should prepare one to receive the strength and graces of the Holy Spirit with docility and readiness to act.” (CCC 1310).
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Choosing A Sponsor
Every candidate must choose a sponsor to walk with them through the Confirmation process, as well as to pray for them and support them in living the faith for the rest of their lives. A sponsor should be an important person in their lives who is a witness to them of authentically living the Catholic faith.From the Catholic Church’s Code of Canon Law:#893:1 To perform the role of sponsor [at Confirmation] it is necessary that a person fulfill the conditions mentioned in canon #874 [which outlines the requirements to serve as a Godparent at a baptism].
#874:1 to be admitted to the role of sponsor, a person must:A. [if the person to be baptized is a minor] be designated by...the parents or the one who takes their place or, in their absence, by the pastor or minister[for persons over 18 years of age, the person to be confirmed may designate the person to be their sponsor] and have the qualifications and intention of performing this role;
B. have completed their sixteenth year;
C. be a Catholic who has been confirmed and has already received the sacrament of the Most Holy Eucharist and leads a life in harmony with the faith and the role to be undertaken;
[This means that the Catholic person is a fully initiated Catholic (having celebrated Baptism, Confirmation and First Eucharist) and actively practices their Christian faith in their way of life and in their participation in their Catholic parish, fulfills their Sunday obligation and the sacraments of the Church.]
D. not be bound by any canonical penalty legitimately imposed or declared;[This means that if the intended sponsor is married, this marriage must be a recognized valid marriage in the Catholic Church. Catholics who are either civilly married, married by common law, living together are not in a valid Church marriage, or engaging in the marital act outside of marriage, and thus, by law, have a canonical penalty imposed upon them. The penalty is that the person may not participate in the full sacramental life of the Church. Specifically, they may not receive communion, nor may they act as a godparent at Baptism or as a sponsor at Confirmation. Therefore, if you are married outside of the Catholic Church, you do not meet the requirements for being admitted to the role of Confirmation Sponsor.]
E. not be the father or the mother of the one to be baptized / confirmed. -
Requisitos de Confirmación
- El CANDIDATO (su hijo/a) puede pedir el sacramento si él o ella
- Es bautizado y es capaz de renovar sus promesas bautismales al menos que alguna razón grave se lo impida.
- Haya tenido educación religiosa (i.e. Catecismo, Escuela Católica) al menos un año antes de la preparación sacramental.
- Exhiba una vida de fe activa y conocimiento de la Iglesia.
- Participe en la vida sacramental de la iglesia, especialmente las Liturgias Eucarísticas – Misa.
- Se comprometa a estar involucrado/a activamente en la catequesis de Confirmación.
- Responda al llamado de ministerio activamente.
- Continúe aprendiendo y creciendo en su fe aun después de Confirmarse a través de su vida.
Haya recibido el sacramento de la Eucaristía y siga una vida de fe consistente con las enseñanzas de la Iglesia. “Para recibir la Confirmación es preciso hallarse en estado de gracia. Conviene recurrir al sacramento de la Penitencia para ser purificado en atención al don del Espíritu Santo. Hay que prepararse con una oración más intensa para recibir con docilidad y disponibilidad la fuerza y las gracias del Espíritu Santo” (CIC 1311)
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Connie Rodriguezreligiousedccparishhouston.orgCoordinator, Religious Education/Coordinadora de Educacion Religiosa
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