Confirmation

[Nutmeger]

Yesterday our parish held two Confirmation services for almost 200 teens. They did not process in, but were instructed to be seated in pre-assigned pews with their sponsors and families, and then the Bishop and pastor processed in. There were no programs and the collection basket was circulated. The music (words only) were on a screen, but very few sang since no one but the choir knew the music. No postlude music, everyone just dispersed after the Bishop walked out. It did not seem like a very special mass. Do other churches pass the basket during sacraments; are the days of processions and rituals gone?? Even the altar seemed dank, adorned with only two bouquets of red tropical flowers.

 

[Stylites]

Glad to hear about the Sacrament being conferred, and the Mass celebrated. Which in your mind was the worst: That a collection basket went around? That there was no procession of the confirmands or no programs printed? That the music was as strange and hard-to-follow-along as Gregorian chants? That the altar was blandly decorated with red tropical flowers? Or that anyone would be so easily distracted and detracted by these things?

 

[TheMc]

At my confirmation:

the choir sang many awesome pieces
the parish brass quintet came (which is a professional level ensemble)
the bishop wore spectacular vestments
lots of servers and incence and solmenity

But besides the sacrament and the brass quintet, nothing was really out of the ordinary, because the rest of the things I listed are what we have for a “normal” Sunday. We processed in, but we didn’t have 200 confirmandi. If I were MC or pastor, I wouldn’t recommend having 200 people process in! It takes a long time for the 50 priests of the diocese to process at diocesan Masses, having 200 people would be outrageous!

 

[quiet52]

You had nearly 200 teens confirmed in your parish in one year? Do you know how special that is in itself?

Each and every Mass is special. Mass with the Confirmation rite makes it even more special! But the focus is on Jesus, not on the people. The confirmation candidates do not process in at my parish either.

As for the altar, the table of sacrifice, only candles, a Crucifix, the Missal, corporal, and sacred vessels are allowed to be placed on it. No flowers. Not dank, but a cause for giving thanks.