Confirmation Question

[JuliaT]

My son is preparing for his confirmation and must write a letter to the bishop explaining why he wants to be confirmed. He asked me if he should “lay it all out there”. He said he doesn’t understand why he must be confirmed; that Jesus never mentioned. It. I explained it best I could. Please feel free to help me explain on a fairly level-headed, questioning 16 year old level. TIA!

 

[pianistclare]

Get him some material on the early Christians and how Confirmation even began.
I can’t believe his teachers have not gone over this.

We’re just coming into our last session with 42 teens for Confirmation and we are planning on their interviews next week.
The question really is: are you ready to take hold of your spiritual life apart from your parents? Are you mature enough in your faith to be responsible for your soul?
Are you going to make your faith and your relationship with Jesus a priority without your parents dragging you by the collar to Mass?
Jesus expected a lot of His followers. He expected their lives to be transformed.
Ask him: How does he plan to transform himself into a person that seeks to live a Christian life in every situation he may find himself in?

Best wishes!

 

[ChurchSoldier]

catholic.com/tracts/confirmation

 

[Vico]

My son is preparing for his confirmation and must write a letter to the bishop explaining why he wants to be confirmed. He asked me if he should “lay it all out there”. He said he doesn’t understand why he must be confirmed; that Jesus never mentioned. It. I explained it best I could. Please feel free to help me explain on a fairly level-headed, questioning 16 year old level. TIA!

Why he wants to be confirmed and why he must be confirmed are two different issues.

In Confirmation the gift is the Holy Spirit who ratifies the election made by God at baptism and reaffirms it. It roots us more deeply as children of God, and in unity with Christ and the Church, and in the mission of living a Christlike life through which we spread and defend the faith.

 

[thistle]

My son is preparing for his confirmation and must write a letter to the bishop explaining why he wants to be confirmed. He asked me if he should “lay it all out there”. He said he doesn’t understand why he must be confirmed; that Jesus never mentioned. It. I explained it best I could. Please feel free to help me explain on a fairly level-headed, questioning 16 year old level. TIA!

I’m curious. Why must he write a letter to the Bishop? I’ve never heard of such a thing.

 

[pianistclare]

I’m curious. Why must he write a letter to the Bishop? I’ve never heard of such a thing.

Many places do this.
Here, the kids have an interview with the pastor, and then they meet with the Bishop in the hour prior to the Sacrament.
While so many people think it’s a card that needs to be punched, they want to know that the kids have been properly prepared.
I’m glad they do.

 

[JuliaT]

Thanks for the great answers. The bishop asks for the letter, he upped the requirement this year. They also need to read the gospel that will read at the mass and write about how it applies to their confirmation. (Love our bishop!).
My son isn’t against confirmation, I think he is just struggling with traditions. He goes to
Public school now after going to Catholic pre-8th grade. History in pub school isn’t exactly favorable to the Church so he is questioning a lot. So far I have been able to keep up with his questions.
We have over 200 kids being confirmed, I think it is an overwhelming task to make sure that they all get it. My husband is one of the catechists, but our son is not in his group. They have changed the approach of ‘this is your decision’ to it is your parents responsibility to make sure your your receive the Holy Spirit; like baptism. The Grace will be with you to make the right choices. ( they don’t tell the kids that, just the parents)

 

[thistle]

Many places do this.
Here, the kids have an interview with the pastor, and then they meet with the Bishop in the hour prior to the Sacrament.
While so many people think it’s a card that needs to be punched, **they want to know that the kids have been properly prepared. **
I’m glad they do.

Does this mean the Bishop does not trust the people who are in charge of the Confirmation classes to prepare the children properly?

 

[pianistclare]

Does this mean the Bishop does not trust the people who are in charge of the Confirmation classes to prepare the children properly?

No, it means that many parents view Confirmation as something they have to get done and over with. He wants to insure that the kids are not just going through the motions, and are prepared to be responsible for their own spiritual lives. American kids tend to want to hurry up and get catechesis over with. Soccer beckons. Among other things.
It’s a real problem. People come for class until they “get something” and then they drop out again until they are slated to “get something else”.
Great catechesis is hard work, but necessary. The 2 Auxiliary Bishops and the Archbishop don’t want to rubber stamp anybody. If a person seems like they don’t care…well then get out of the line until you’re serious about your faith.

The kids range from a minimum of 15 years old to 18. They require 2 full years of catechesis, and 20 hours od dedicated, specifically Confirmation instruction, 20 hours of community service, and research on their patron saint.
THEN, they have their interviews.

 

[Nixbits]

I wish they had had this system when I was confirmed. Back then we were confirmed at age 10 or 11, I think, when I had no proper understanding of Catholic teaching. I certainly don’t remember meeting a bishop. It would have been much more meaningful if I had been 15 or 16 and been able to understand the commitment I was supposed to make.

 

[thistle]

No, it means that many parents view Confirmation as something they have to get done and over with. He wants to insure that the kids are not just going through the motions, and are prepared to be responsible for their own spiritual lives. American kids tend to want to hurry up and get catechesis over with. Soccer beckons. Among other things.
It’s a real problem. People come for class until they “get something” and then they drop out again until they are slated to “get something else”.
Great catechesis is hard work, but necessary. The 2 Auxiliary Bishops and the Archbishop don’t want to rubber stamp anybody. If a person seems like they don’t care…well then get out of the line until you’re serious about your faith.

The kids range from a minimum of 15 years old to 18. They require 2 full years of catechesis, and 20 hours od dedicated, specifically Confirmation instruction, 20 hours of community service, and research on their patron saint.
THEN, they have their interviews.

Thanks.

 

[Hoosier_Daddy]

My son is preparing for his confirmation and must write a letter to the bishop explaining why he wants to be confirmed. He asked me if he should “lay it all out there”. He said he doesn’t understand why he must be confirmed; that Jesus never mentioned. It. I explained it best I could. Please feel free to help me explain on a fairly level-headed, questioning 16 year old level. TIA!

He should include his doubts and questions in his letter to the Bishop. Most Bishops physically read the letters of confirmation candidates, And Bishops need to hear the questions that are like this. Why has this not been covered in the confirmation classes? Have you discussed this with the religious ed teacher?

Some rites within the Catholic Church include confirmation with baptism. I wish we would go back to that…

 

[pianistclare]

He should include his doubts and questions in his letter to the Bishop. Most Bishops physically read the letters of confirmation candidates, And Bishops need to hear the questions that are like this. Why has this not been covered in the confirmation classes? Have you discussed this with the religious ed teacher?

Some rites within the Catholic Church include confirmation with baptism. I wish we would go back to that…

There’s a big reason why the Bishops “went back”.
If we did that, there would be no one in formation past First Communion.
Not kidding. The priorities in the US right now are “do the bare minimum to stay within range” and forego religious ed because " you can just be a good person, and besides I want my kid to get a soccer scholarship".
I could tell you stories of what parents have said regarding sacramental prep, but you’d get incredibly depressed.
Kids face a lot of blowback from their peers and the media regarding their beliefs. Parents need all the help they can get. Even if they (the parents) think they’re only punching their membership card. I’ve seen Confirmandi fully catechize their parents after instruction. People returning to Mass after years. People going/returning to Confession for the first time in 25 years.
I’d much rather teach a young person while they struggle than try to pick up the pieces after they fall. And it happens to all of them in some form or another.

But I agree, the boy should say what he means. If he’s not ready, he’s not ready.
We don’t need any more people just going through the motions and saying their are practicing Catholics if they have no intention of doing so. There is some effort of the part of the person receiving the Sacrament. If not, they just have a shiny forehead.
Peace.