What is the Sacrament of Confirmation?

The Catechism of the Catholic Church states:

1285 Baptism, the Eucharist, and the sacrament of Confirmation together constitute the "sacraments of Christian initiation," whose unity must be safeguarded. It must be explained to the faithful that the reception of the sacrament of Confirmation is necessary for the completion of baptismal grace. For "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."

Youth Confirmation

Who may receive the Sacrament of Confirmation?

This November 2024, at St. Francis, students in the 6th grade will receive the Sacrament of Confirmation.

Please Note: Students who attend Bishop Carroll or who plan on attending Bishop Carroll and who do not get confirmed are choosing not to attend or return to Bishop Carroll next year, as this shows a lack of commitment to their Catholic education.

What is involved in the preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation?

Students in the 6th grade who attend St. Francis of Assisi School will receive Confirmation formation within their religion classes during the school day. All our students who attend PSR will receive formation during their PSR instruction time. For families with a student in 7th or 8th grade going through confirmation prep, we ask that you join our PSR Confirmation program on Wednesday nights. Please sign up for PSR to ensure a spot in our Confirmation preparation class. PSR registration can be found on our website under the youth tab.

Confirmation Mass Dates and Times

Confirmation Mass will take place Saturday, November 9, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. Bishop Kemme will be the celebrant.

Confirmation Retreat

We will have a Confirmation retreat for all our students this fall. For our 6th grade SFA students, the retreat will be Friday, November 8, 2024, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and for our PSR students, the retreat will be Wednesday, October 30, 2024, from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m.

Confirmation Practice for Confirmandi and Sponsors

Confirmation practice for both the confirmandi and their sponsor will take place Monday, November 4, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. Both the sponsors and the confirmandi are required to attend. Please be in the Church by 6:30 p.m.

Confirmation Confessions

We will have confessions and a confirmation walk through for all our students this fall. For our 6th grade SFA students, Thursday, November 7, 2024, from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. and for our PSR students, Wednesday, October 30, 2024, during their retreat..

Attire for Confirmation Mass

Men – Dress slacks, dress shoes, dress shirt and tie. No jeans or tennis shoes (jackets and suits are optional).

Ladies – Appropriate dresses and shoes (no flip-flops or tennis shoes). Dresses must be knee length and no sleeveless dresses or spaghetti straps without a jacket.

Requirements to be a Confirmation Sponsor

The student getting confirmed CANNOT choose one of their parents.

The sponsor must be a practicing Catholic who has received the Sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist, Reconciliation, and Confirmation.

The sponsor must be at least 16 years old.

If students wish to pick one of their Godparents that is appropriate because of the close connection between the Sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation.

Sponsor Information

During the Anointing with Chrism each candidate approaches the bishop and stands close enough for the anointing; the sponsor stands slightly behind. The sponsor places his or her right hand on the shoulder of the candidate.

Photography

To preserve the reverent atmosphere of the Mass and sacrament, we ask that you do not take your own photos during Mass. Iseman Photography will be photographing during the ceremony. After Mass, each student will take two pictures with Bishop Kemme in the Church Sanctuary. You will be able to view images and order prints through Iseman. After pictures, the newly confirmed and their sponsor are free to leave. The newly confirmed, sponsors, and their families are invited to Cana Hall for a light reception following pictures if you wish to attend.

Adult Confirmation

Adults seeking to be confirmed in the Catholic Faith who have been baptized and received First Communion are encouraged to contact the church office and schedule an appointment with a parish priest. The process of formation will vary according to various circumstances. The specific steps will be arrived at with the priest and Confirmation itself will be scheduled accordingly.

Adults who have not been baptized or have not received First Communion, receive Confirmation by attending the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA). Contact the church office for more details.

Don’t wait to learn more about your faith. Go to FORMED and begin watching the Symbolon program. This will begin your formation for confirmation.

Confirmation Director

Emily Savage
316-722-4404 ext 109
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