Confirmation

[NM505StKate]

So I haven’t been confirmed yet. Just haven’t really had the time. My folks know a priest who will give me books to read and he will test me on what I read. Is there anything I should be prepared for or expect? Thanks. Oh and I am 34 if anyone wishes to know.

 

[tweedlealice]

So I haven’t been confirmed yet. Just haven’t really had the time. My folks know a priest who will give me books to read and he will test me on what I read. Is there anything I should be prepared for or expect? Thanks. Oh and I am 34 if anyone wishes to know.

Go to RCIA meetings w the books. These are individuals becoming Catholics. Someone will volunteer to be your sponsor. It will helpful to keep you focus on your books. If your parish has a Charismatic prayer group-go to it. We receive our gifts at Confirmation but they are retained in our spirits. The Charismatic renewal helps you learn to bring your gifts out in the open. Read Mark 16: It will start “THESE SIGNS SHALL FOLLOW BELIEVERS. tHEY WILL PRAY IN OTHER TONGUES. THEY WILL CAST OUT DEMONS IN HIS NAME. THEY CAN HANDLE POISON AND NOT BE HARMED. THEY CAN PICK UP SNAKES AND NOT BE HARMED AND THEY SHALL LAY HANDS ON THE SICK AND THEY SHALL BE HEALED. NOT EXACT QUOTE.” So these gifts should manifest after Confirmation but it is for one who looks for more maturity w the Renewal. It is joyful to be having Jesus as your best friend and the Holy Spirit as your center core.
in Christ Jesus
tweedlealice.
Onward Christian Soldiers.
Joyful, Joyful we adore Thee. All in heaven and earth rejoice.

 

[pianistclare]

Look around for an adult Confirmation class. MUCH more beneficial than self-teaching.
I can’t believe they even recommended that.
Ask around. Many pastors off this for people in your position.
Good luck.

Clare
(My family is from Albuquerque…like since the 1500’s, LOL)

 

[808Catholic]

So I haven’t been confirmed yet. Just haven’t really had the time. My folks know a priest who will give me books to read and he will test me on what I read. Is there anything I should be prepared for or expect? Thanks. Oh and I am 34 if anyone wishes to know.

As you know, Catholic sacraments are community based: we’re Baptized before the parish with all our family present; we receive First Communion during the Mass with the rest of the parish; we marry in front of the parish with all our family present; we celebrate our funeral with the parish. The point is, the Catholic Church is a communal church. We do everything Catholic together.

I suggest you enroll in your parish’s RCIA program and develop the understanding of what Confirmation truly is instead of “reading books.” This would be like participating in Bible study as a group vice reading the Bible. You will get so much more out of it and it’s the way God intended we learn.

 

[NM505StKate]

Honestly I never thought nor heard that they are community based. I believe the reason for having said friend priest give me books to read was because it is easier. I don’t know what church I belong to as the one my mother and I go to is at the local hospital.

 

[pianistclare]

Honestly I never thought nor heard that they are community based. I believe the reason for having said friend priest give me books to read was because it is easier. I don’t know what church I belong to as the one my mother and I go to is at the local hospital.

It’s easy enough to find out.
Find out which is the parish in your neighborhood.

If you find a parish that offers adult Confirmation, then register there and start classes.
All Sacraments are given and lived out in community. That’s what he’s talking about.

The parish community welcomes a child being Baptized, or converts or older folks at the Easter Vigil.
Eucharist is offered at Mass, a communal event.
All of these things take place to reaffirm that your are part of the Body of Christ.
Good luck. If you need help locating a class, speak to someone at the Chancery (Archdiocesan offices).

 

[808Catholic]

Honestly I never thought nor heard that they are community based. I believe the reason for having said friend priest give me books to read was because it is easier. I don’t know what church I belong to as the one my mother and I go to is at the local hospital.

You may be visiting the hospital chapel; pretty common situation and all the sacraments are just as valid there as in a traditional church. However, the road to Christ is not an “easy” one. If someone should ever tell you, “here’s a sure fire way to get to heaven and it’s easy!”, you can probably have confidence that’s NOT the way. As Catholic Christians, we are called to follow Christ so we look to His life as an example of what to expect. Hardship, friends turning against Him, periods of isolated prayer, and death on the cross for the sake of others. Nothing about Jesus’ life on earth was easy nor will our’s be if we truly follow His Way.

This is not to say it’s all doom and gloom! Following Him will give us the greatest sense of peace, fill us with love, and inspire us with hope. This is the only way for us if we are to be truly Christian.

 

[NM505StKate]

808: No it is in the cafeteria of the hospital. The chapel is too small for the crowd that the priest pulls in.

 

[808Catholic]

808: No it is in the cafeteria of the hospital. The chapel is too small for the crowd that the priest pulls in.

Not doubting you but are you sure this is a Catholic priest? I’m a little surprised the faithful don’t go to Mass at the nearest parish. Are all the participants employees or patients at that hospital?

 

[pianistclare]

Yes.
Find a parish and become an active member of it.
You won’t regret it.
Peace.

 

[NM505StKate]

@808: I am very sure he is Catholic as were the other priests who held Mass there. The Mass gets a wide variety of people from a mix of parishes. Mostly older folk who like a mass on Saturday around 3:30 in the afternoon. Mass takes about 45 minutes with little to no singing, depending on who is giving the mass the current priest loves to sing a little especially for his homily. I think my family is registered to the main church here in town but I am not 100% certain.

 

[808Catholic]

@808: I am very sure he is Catholic as were the other priests who held Mass there. The Mass gets a wide variety of people from a mix of parishes. Mostly older folk who like a mass on Saturday around 3:30 in the afternoon. Mass takes about 45 minutes with little to no singing, depending on who is giving the mass the current priest loves to sing a little especially for his homily. I think my family is registered to the main church here in town but I am not 100% certain.

That’s great! I would still recommend enrolling in RCIA. I’m an RCIA instructor and learn so much as we present to the confirmands. God Bless you.

 

[JimR-OCDS]

Seek Jesus Christ first.

Confirmation is confirming your faith and commitment to follow Him.

Catholicism is a religion which helps feed that faith, but without faith, you’ll just have religion, which will either become boring, or you’ll try to hang on by becoming a religious zealot.

Prayer is the path to Jesus Christ. Want to know Him, pray to Him and ask Him to come into your life.

However, be willing to surrender yourself to Him, in whatever way He desires.

Jim