Confirmation decision

[lisa238]

I had the opportunity to be confirmed in the 8th grade, but at the time I chose not to be because I did not feel that I was ready for it and I was falling away from the Church at that time. Also, my family nearly started a war over who should be my sponsor, while I didn’t feel like I could be comfortable being open enough with my faith with any of the people they chose for me. Only recently have I begun to return to catholocism, and now I am wanting to be confirmed, but I feel like I waited too long.

Back in the 7th and 8th grade the whole class prepared for the sacrement and the teachers made sure that we knew what we needed to know about the catholic faith. I’m wondering whether I would have to go through all the preparation a second time?

Also I’m going away to college next year and I will be too far from home to get to my parish regularly.

What options do I have at this point? If i do have to do RCIA or something like that to prepare, should i do that at my home parish, or find a parish near my campus? Or can i prepare while i’m away at school and then return to my parish to be confirmed? Right now, I feel like my only option is to wait until after i finish college.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

[Jeanne_dArc]

Many colleges have Catholic Newman centers or just plain Catholic centers. Oftentimes there are programs for Catholics to prepare for Comfirmation. Now, not all schools have this but it wouldn’t hurt to look into this. If not, the Catholic parish closest to your College will be able get you confirmed (often times you’ll go to RCIA classes in preparation to Confirmation.)

Just talk to your parish priest, he probably can help advise you on what steps to take.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

I had the opportunity to be confirmed in the 8th grade, but at the time I chose not to be because I did not feel that I was ready for it and I was falling away from the Church at that time. Also, my family nearly started a war over who should be my sponsor, while I didn’t feel like I could be comfortable being open enough with my faith with any of the people they chose for me. Only recently have I begun to return to catholocism, and now I am wanting to be confirmed, but I feel like I waited too long.

Back in the 7th and 8th grade the whole class prepared for the sacrement and the teachers made sure that we knew what we needed to know about the catholic faith. I’m wondering whether I would have to go through all the preparation a second time?

Also I’m going away to college next year and I will be too far from home to get to my parish regularly.

What options do I have at this point? If i do have to do RCIA or something like that to prepare, should i do that at my home parish, or find a parish near my campus? Or can i prepare while i’m away at school and then return to my parish to be confirmed? Right now, I feel like my only option is to wait until after i finish college.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

You will receive some adult preparation for Confirmation. When you get to school find the parish you will attend and register there. Speak with the pastor abour receiving Confirmation. You could also speak with the Catholic campus minister about it. There may be others who would also like to do the same. Believe me you are not the only one, There were a few when I was involved in campus ministry.

 

[IrishAm]

It is very common on college campuses for young adults to be in need of Confirmation, especially with more and more diocese having high school rather than 8th grade confirmations. It’s a lot easier to “make” a 12-year-old be confirmed than it is to make a 16-year-old.

You will not be alone.

 

[SeekerJen]

I had the opportunity to be confirmed in the 8th grade, but at the time I chose not to be because I did not feel that I was ready for it and I was falling away from the Church at that time. Also, my family nearly started a war over who should be my sponsor, while I didn’t feel like I could be comfortable being open enough with my faith with any of the people they chose for me. Only recently have I begun to return to catholocism, and now I am wanting to be confirmed, but I feel like I waited too long.

Back in the 7th and 8th grade the whole class prepared for the sacrement and the teachers made sure that we knew what we needed to know about the catholic faith. I’m wondering whether I would have to go through all the preparation a second time?

Also I’m going away to college next year and I will be too far from home to get to my parish regularly.

What options do I have at this point? If i do have to do RCIA or something like that to prepare, should i do that at my home parish, or find a parish near my campus? Or can i prepare while i’m away at school and then return to my parish to be confirmed? Right now, I feel like my only option is to wait until after i finish college.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

I was in nearly the same situation, and as a result ended up being confirmed at 17 by my own choice. Check with your parish about adult confirmation prep. If they don’t have a class, they will know which parishes do and whom you should contact. My parish offers a 6-week course during the Easter season, open to Catholics from all local parishes who have received the sacraments of Baptism and Eucharist (and Reconciliation, of course) but have not been confirmed. After completion of instruction, we were confirmed by the Cardinal at the archdiocesan cathedral on Pentecost with hundreds of others from all over the archdiocese. It was an amazing and holy experience.

 

[puzzleannie]

I h. Only recently have I begun to return to catholocism, and now I am wanting to be confirmed, but I feel like I waited too long.
.

not in the least we have 24 Catholic adults who will be confirmed this year, and that is about standard. Some are like you, young adults who “missed” the standard time during HS for whatever reason, but the oldest is 69, and never had the chance for sacramental prep in her youth because they were migrant workers. Bishop made a special effort to reach such older adults and bring the to full initiation, over 600 were confirmed last year, in addtion to 800 adults from “regular” parish confirmation programs, and several hundred more this year.

Every parish has a plan in place to meet needs of adults completing Christian initation. So do most Catholic campus ministries, and that may be the most convenient way to take the “class” to get a good coverage of Catholic doctrine and practice, and then do immediate preparation and reception of the sacrament in your home parish and diocese.