Confirmation Question

[Mattjolley]

My brother who is now 19 was never confirmed when his school year were. He simply chose not to. However, he is thinking of being confirmed now. He has received baptism and first holy communion at the right ages, so it is fair to say he is actually well grounded in his faith. Does he have to take the whole course of rcia to be confirmed at easter? Seems a long time for somebody who is an otherwise cradle catholic.

matt

 

[Tietjen]

My brother who is now 19 was never confirmed when his school year were. He simply chose not to. However, he is thinking of being confirmed now. He has received baptism and first holy communion at the right ages, so it is fair to say he is actually well grounded in his faith. Does he have to take the whole course of rcia to be confirmed at easter? Seems a long time for somebody who is an otherwise cradle catholic.

matt

What’s measured is not the amount of time (as a Catholic) but the amount of knowledge. Your brother should speak to the priest concerning whether or not he will have to go through RCIA. Normally, this is the usual way an adult becomes confirmed. HOWEVER, it is NOT an absolute. Many have been confirmed with little or no RCIA. The parish priest will be able to help your brother in this regard.

 

[Joannm]

Your brother’s situation is fairly common. We have an adult confirmation class during Lent and Easter with confirmation done at Pentecost. It is not a full blown RCIA and in fact we deal with things a lot differently than in RCIA. We find out what the candidates know and missed and work from there. Usually we find we have young people in the class who are preparing for marriage. The classes are small and usually run 8-10 weeks depending on the needs of the candidates.

 

[1ke]

Adult confirmation for Catholics should actually be a separate process from RCIA. BUT, not all parishes can run two programs due to resources. So, in many places adult Catholics seeking confirmation do go through RCIA.

 

[puzzleannie]

he needs what he needs, and that can only be determined in an interview with the candidate and the priest or whoever he delegates to oversee adult confirmation preparation. Having received 1st communion in second grade does not equate a solid grounding in the faith for an adult, if he received no religious instruction after that time. Classes for adults cover the same topics as those for teens, but geared for their level and learning styles. In this diocese it is a minimum of 2 yrs for teens, and one year for adults, but that is because adults go year-round and teen during the school year only.

On the other hand, a young adult who attended RE all through high school, but did not receive confirmation for whatever reason, may have a good background and only need a review of the doctrine, and actual preparation for the sacrament itself.

But the candidate, not the parent or other relative, has to seek out the priest and inquire, and evidence a desire for the sacrament.

Congratulations for being a good influence on your brother, that is real evangelization.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

My brother who is now 19 was never confirmed when his school year were. He simply chose not to. However, he is thinking of being confirmed now. He has received baptism and first holy communion at the right ages, so it is fair to say he is actually well grounded in his faith. Does he have to take the whole course of rcia to be confirmed at easter? Seems a long time for somebody who is an otherwise cradle catholic.

matt

No, he does not attend RCIA. Practicing Catholics who only seek Confirmation should not be anywhere near RCIA. Catholics seeking only the Sacrament of Confirmation would attend a few weeks of Adult Sacramental Preparation to be Confirmed when the Bishop visits the parish or a neighboring parish. Your brother could also choose to travel to the Bishop to be Confirmed.

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

My brother who is now 19 was never confirmed when his school year were. He simply chose not to. However, he is thinking of being confirmed now. He has received baptism and first holy communion at the right ages, so it is fair to say he is actually well grounded in his faith. Does he have to take the whole course of rcia to be confirmed at easter? Seems a long time for somebody who is an otherwise cradle catholic.

matt

He should check with his parish to see what options he has. My parish offers adult confirmation classes that are separate from RCIA. In other places they may not have enough catechists to do this so may lump everyone together.

If he’s 19, is he in college? If so he should check with his Newman Center. They’re used to offering classes for students who weren’t confirmed at a younger age.

 

[bpbasilphx]

However, he is thinking of being confirmed now. He has received baptism and first holy communion at the right ages, so it is fair to say he is actually well grounded in his faith.

Being baptized and receiving first Communion does NOT mean you are well grounded in the faith. I’ve met many such–mostly dropouts from the Church–who have weird ideas about what Christianity is.