Confirmation

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Danes

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Hi,

My name is Justin and I was born and brought up a Roman Catholic. I pretty much done everything except for one thing which is confirmation. The reason I missed it was I got expelled from school just before I could get confirmation and name chosen. Years after I sorta was lost. Now I met someone in my life that brought my faith back I wanted to do right. My question; is it possible for me to get confirmation now? I am 24 and missed my opportunity at 16. Will anyone care to shed information would very much appericate it.
 
Welcome home! Contact your parish priest. Typically, Catholics who have not completed their rites of initiation (Confirmation is the final one) join an RCIA-type instruction for 6 weeks or several months and are then confirmed.

We are Catholic; we have a procedure for every situation!! 😃
 
Danes said:
Hi,

My name is Justin and I was born and brought up a Roman Catholic. I pretty much done everything except for one thing which is confirmation. The reason I missed it was I got expelled from school just before I could get confirmation and name chosen. Years after I sorta was lost. Now I met someone in my life that brought my faith back I wanted to do right. My question; is it possible for me to get confirmation now? I am 24 and missed my opportunity at 16. Will anyone care to shed information would very much appericate it.
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Of course as a Catholic you have a right to the Saraments, if properly prepared and disposed. Speak with your parish pastor about attending an adult Confirmation program. I’ll bet you are not the only person to ask him about this.
 
RCIA is the way to go!

When I went through RCIA preparing for Baptism, etc. we had a mom and son team with us who were both preparing for Confirmation together. It was really nice seeing them. Dad had recently had a re-version experience and it was spreading through the family.

Grab ahold of the Catechism of the Catholic Church and start reading. If things work out right with the gal, you might have another Sacrament to prepare for - Matrimony! I might suggest taking her to a “date” to the local Adoration Chapel and pray the Rosary together. I know of one gal who made up her mind right then and there to marry a guy who suggested they pray a Rosary together. It was actually a year before he actually asked her, but she knew the minute she saw his Rosary beads come out of his pocket! I think it is sweet. I’m older, sigh, and wish I was Catholic when I was dating those centuries ago…:rolleyes:

Good luck and God bless!

Peace,

Gail
 
NOTE: RCIA is not for people who are already Catholic and making their confirmation; in fact, RCIA is not really for people who are already baptized and being accepted into the Church through Confirmation. “RCIA-like” and RCIA are two different things. Some parishes dump them all together for a variety of reasons, mostly having to do with volunteer leadership. However, those preparing for Confirmation are not to be dismissed at the Liturgy of the Word. Still, parishes do it, but it’s wrong.

That said, Justin, aside from talking to your priest, call the diocese. There might be a program for adults who are Catholic and have not been confirmed that takes less time than dragging it through nine months. You can also check your bishop’s schedule and see where he will be confirming in the near future.
 
Hello there Out In Chicago Burbs! Thank you for chiming in on this thread. I think there needs to be some clarification.

RCIA stands for Rites Christian Of Initiation for Adults. These include Confirmation. There are three Sacraments of Initiation - that is Church teaching - Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist. The place that most frequently prepares anyone over the age of 16 for any of these three Sacraments is the RCIA program. I think where you are confused is in not seeing the difference between the actual classes given to prepare for the Rites, and the Rites themselves.

I don’t know what programs are in the parishes out there in the Chicago Burbs, but around here, (I live near Philly) most persons who lack any of the three Sacraments mentioned are sent to attend the RCIA program. This is not to say that some are withdrawn before Easter Vigil to receive Confirmation. Some actually come back afterwards to share about their experience. I do know of another program, though I don’t think it is as successful as RCIA, that is called Landings and is meant for adults who are in the process of returning to the Church after some time away. They may only need Reconciliation or may go from Landings to RCIA. And to add to this there is always the ability to do all of this privately with a single priest. He would still give the person a period of instruction culminating in reception of a single Sacrament or a few. This is the Church’s way of ensuring that a person is well prepared for reception of the Sacraments. She is a wise mother and loves her children very much.

I think the OP has no knowlege of any of these ways of returning to the Church and to discourage his asking about RCIA is an error. Around here the Bishops have used RCIA for years. Those involved know their faith and are eager to help those struggling. It is a place where the Spirit is very active and working on a day to day basis. In fact, in many of the parishes around here, everyone is encouraged to come and see for themselves and participate in the classes simply because there is such a wealth of knowlege and wisdom given through these RCIA classes. Whatever the case may be, I’m sure you’ll agree there are plenty of Catholics who don’t know all they are supposed to know about our shared faith and could benefit from an instructional program.

Peace,

Gail
 
GailMac said:
RCIA is the way to go!

When I went through RCIA preparing for Baptism, etc. we had a mom and son team with us who were both preparing for Confirmation together. It was really nice seeing them. Dad had recently had a re-version experience and it was spreading through the family.

Grab ahold of the Catechism of the Catholic Church and start reading. If things work out right with the gal, you might have another Sacrament to prepare for - Matrimony! I might suggest taking her to a “date” to the local Adoration Chapel and pray the Rosary together. I know of one gal who made up her mind right then and there to marry a guy who suggested they pray a Rosary together. It was actually a year before he actually asked her, but she knew the minute she saw his Rosary beads come out of his pocket! I think it is sweet. I’m older, sigh, and wish I was Catholic when I was dating those centuries ago…:rolleyes:

Good luck and God bless!

Peace,

Gail
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RCIA is NOT the proper place for an adult Catholic seeking Confirmation!
 
OP: Welcome back! Ask at your local parish if there is an available adult Confirmation prep class. I attended one of these at my parish. It was once per week for 6 weeks during the Easter season, and all of us were confirmed at the archdiocesan cathedral with other adult confirmandi from across the archdiocese on Pentecost Sunday. If your parish doesn’t have a class, they should be able to direct you to one that does.

I took a lot of flak from my Catholic elem school for not joining the rest of my 8th grade class in confirmation, but I didn’t know if I believed what the Church taught and didn’t want to mock the sacrament. I’m so glad that I waited a few years, studied, and made the decision on my own. That Pentecost when I was confirmed- and actually believed in the sacrament- was one of the most amazing days of my life.
 
GailMac said:
Hello there Out In Chicago Burbs! Thank you for chiming in on this thread. I think there needs to be some clarification.

RCIA stands for Rites Christian Of Initiation for Adults. No, it stands for Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. I know. I have been a sponsor, and have been a catechist most of my adult life. Bro. Rich also has many years of experience, and puzzleannie is a Director of Religious Education. These include Confirmation. There are three Sacraments of Initiation - that is Church teaching - Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist. Yes. I am quite aware of it. The place that most frequently prepares anyone over the age of 16 for any of these three Sacraments is the RCIA program. No. That’s wrong. RCIA is not the place for an adult Catholic to prepare for Confirmation. Some parishes try to dump people into RCIA for convenience sake. It’s still wrong. I think where you are confused is in not seeing the difference between the actual classes given to prepare for the Rites, and the Rites themselves. No. I’m not confused.
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Br.Rich_SFO said:
RCIA is NOT the proper place for an adult Catholic seeking Confirmation!
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I realize that it’s not necessarily the intent of RCIA, but every parish in my diocese handles it this way…well, everyone that I know.
 
nicolep said:
I realize that it’s not necessarily the intent of RCIA, but every parish in my diocese handles it this way…well, everyone that I know.
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That might be, but it isn’t supposed to be that way. A Catholic who is an adult who happens to need to be confirmed only needs to be instructed and approved by his or her pastor for Confirmation. He or she does not need to run a whole nine months or more through a series of hoops to be prepared- any more than Confirmation needs to be limited to high-school aged teens who have attended a two year program and have 500 service hours.
 
Well tie me up and slap me silly! I had no idea that half the parishes around here were doing everything soooooooo wrong! I guess the folks who think its the wrong place to prepare for Confirmation should just jet out here and correct the Cardinal! I don’t know what’s up in Chicago, but Cardinal Justin Rigali is a fine and holy example and it is his approval that keeps all this happening. Maybe next time I see him I’ll ask him or perhaps you guys can fix it all and open a special class for Confimation for Adults.

Peace,

Gail

P.S. Oh since RCIA class isn’t the place for an adult to obtain instruction for Confirmation, where might a person interested in receiving the Sacrament go? It was my understanding that prior to the opening of RCIA classes in each parish, most folks were simply missing out and gave up seeking Confirmation if they’d not received it as teens. Sending them to the classes was the answer and I’ve only heard wonderful things about RCIA from most of the folks (including myself) who’ve been through the experience. But I’m sure you have some other things to explain to me.
 
Ooops! I forgot - Out In Chicago, you wrote " However, those preparing for Confirmation are not to be dismissed at the Liturgy of the Word. Still, parishes do it, **but it’s wrong." **The folks you see getting sent aren’t those seeking Confirmation, that dismissal is for those who will be Baptised at Easter Vigil. It is the actual Roman Rite and goes back to the early Church when only those who were received could be around the Eucharist. While it is true that those who will be Baptised at Easter Vigil will also receive Confirmation as well as First Communion, those people you’ve seen leaving after the Liturgy of the Word will be receiving multiple Sacraments at the Easter Vigil.

Perhaps it is me, but I get a sense of arrogance in the comments that have been made and also it is as if my two cents isn’t as good as someone else? Perhaps I’m just reading too much into the feedback over a simple request. God bless you guys and gals.

Peace,

Gail
 
GailMac said:
Perhaps it is me, but I get a sense of arrogance in the comments that have been made and also it is as if my two cents isn’t as good as someone else? Perhaps I’m just reading too much into the feedback over a simple request. God bless you guys and gals.

Peace,

Gail
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Look- Nobody was trying to put you down.

But you came on like gangbusters to Rich and me, explaining what I already knew, what Bro. Rich already knew, and when we tried to tell you that RCIA is not supposed to be for adult Catholics, that there are other avenues, you claimed to be correct.

There ARE parishes where the wrong format is used! There ARE parishes where people are shoved together for the sake of whatever!

How your bishop chooses to do it- if indeed that’s the way he does it, and not just your pastor and DRE- does not make the sacrament any less valid. However, it is not supposed to be that way, and I can prove it if you are willing to listen, and not jump my case explaining what I already know.

Justin does NOT have to go through RCIA. Period. Trust us.

usccb.org/comm/rcia/faq.shtml
**13. Is there a ceremony or preparation for baptized Catholics who never or seldom have practiced the faith?

**For Catholics who have been baptized, confirmed and made First Communion but then drifted from the faith, the way they return is through the Sacrament of Penance. Catholics who were baptized but never received confirmation and Eucharist can return to the church through a process called continuing conversion that is completed with the reception of the sacraments of confirmation and Holy Communion at the Easter Vigil or during the Easter Season.
 
OutinChgoburbs said:
Look- Nobody was trying to put you down.

But you came on like gangbusters to Rich and me, explaining what I already knew, what Bro. Rich already knew, and when we tried to tell you that RCIA is not supposed to be for adult Catholics, that there are other avenues, you claimed to be correct.

There ARE parishes where the wrong format is used! There ARE parishes where people are shoved together for the sake of whatever!

How your bishop chooses to do it- if indeed that’s the way he does it, and not just your pastor and DRE- does not make the sacrament any less valid. However, it is not supposed to be that way, and I can prove it if you are willing to listen, and not jump my case explaining what I already know.

Justin does NOT have to go through RCIA. Period. Trust us.

usccb.org/comm/rcia/faq.shtml
13. Is there a ceremony or preparation for baptized Catholics who never or seldom have practiced the faith?

For Catholics who have been baptized, confirmed and made First Communion but then drifted from the faith, the way they return is through the Sacrament of Penance. Catholics who were baptized but never received confirmation and Eucharist can return to the church through a process called continuing conversion that is completed with the reception of the sacraments of confirmation and Holy Communion at the Easter Vigil or during the Easter Season.
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vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cclergy/documents/rc_con_ccatheduc_doc_17041998_directory-for-catechesis_en.html
 
GailMac said:
Well tie me up and slap me silly! I had no idea that half the parishes around here were doing everything soooooooo wrong! I guess the folks who think its the wrong place to prepare for Confirmation should just jet out here and correct the Cardinal! I don’t know what’s up in Chicago, but Cardinal Justin Rigali is a fine and holy example and it is his approval that keeps all this happening. Maybe next time I see him I’ll ask him or perhaps you guys can fix it all and open a special class for Confimation for Adults.

Peace,

Gail

P.S. Oh since RCIA class isn’t the place for an adult to obtain instruction for Confirmation, where might a person interested in receiving the Sacrament go? It was my understanding that prior to the opening of RCIA classes in each parish, most folks were simply missing out and gave up seeking Confirmation if they’d not received it as teens. Sending them to the classes was the answer and I’ve only heard wonderful things about RCIA from most of the folks (including myself) who’ve been through the experience. But I’m sure you have some other things to explain to me.
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Where are they supposed to go. First would be to the Adult Catechetical coordinator which each parish is supposed to have since the Bishops came out with the Adult Catechesis document in 1999. The person who coordinates all Adult catechetical programs at the parish. They should ask about the Adult Sacramental preparation process at the parish. RCIA is the full liturgical year process that a person who is seeking to become Christian through the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Communion) goes through. There should also be a shorter process modeled after RCIA for those Christians who wish to enter into full union with the Catholic Church can attend for 6 to 12 months.
For more information on this see:

The General Directory for Catechesis and the National Directory for Catechesis.
 
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