Confirmation.

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Maddalena

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I don’t see anyhting about Confirmation in this catagory, but seeing as how it’s one of the sacraments, I decided to put this question here. I am 17 years old and should be attending Confirmation class but I’m not. I took some Confirmation classes when I was 15, and I didn’t really see what the classes had to do with Confirmation. The classes obviously were related to God but they stressed more “togetherness” than the reason why we needed to get Confirmed. We mostly played games relating to Christianity or whatever and had “Retreats” to bring the classes together. One day that brought in this huge rock saying that it was Jesus, and we all got our own “special rock to accompany you on your journey through Confirmation.” I found the classes rather silly and a waste of time.

Me and my family to a new state when, I started Confirmation classes again, and again we were given rocks. I decided to quit Confirmation classes and wait 'til I’m 18 to do RCIA and get confirmed as an adult because I’d get to be in a serious class where we wouldn’t have to play a bunch of silly games. Is this ok? Or should I be attending the Confirmation classes for teens?
 
I am an RCIA director. This year I had a student who knew probably more about the Catholic Faith than I did. When I asked him, “why are you taking this class, you could easily be received into the church without it”

He replied “What a great opportunity for pennance!”

Didn’t do much for my ego (a good thing, keeps me humble) but it did give me some insight into your quesion. Go to the rock class, if nothing else, “What a great opportunity for pennance” or as my grandmother always said “Offer it up”

God Bless,
RP
 
The real preparation for Confirmation is in what you do for yourself. It is in your prayer life, your study and understanding of the Catholic Faith. The “class” is their (your faith community) best attempt to help you. Maybe this is Christ giving you an opportunity for you to share your faith and help your fellow classmates along their spiritual journey. In may instances it is not so much what we get as what we give that is important!
 
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rjmporter:
I am an RCIA director. This year I had a student who knew probably more about the Catholic Faith than I did. When I asked him, “why are you taking this class, you could easily be received into the church without it”

He replied “What a great opportunity for pennance!”

Didn’t do much for my ego (a good thing, keeps me humble) but it did give me some insight into your quesion. Go to the rock class, if nothing else, “What a great opportunity for pennance” or as my grandmother always said “Offer it up”

God Bless,
RP
RP, would it be wise to bring a Protestant (Born Again Christian) to the RCIA to learn, whether she wants to convert or not? Can she do that?
 
Easter has come and gone, and you are likely to be 18 before next Easter. I am inclined to think you might as well start RCIA in the fall. But how do your parents feel about it! You really should honor their opinion.
 
go Leafs go:
RP, would it be wise to bring a Protestant (Born Again Christian) to the RCIA to learn, whether she wants to convert or not? Can she do that?
ABSOLUTELY! That is what the first several weeks focus on (the Pre Catecumenant) Althought, I would generally request that such a person be at least marginally interested in the catholic faith in the first place. But I have seen many true conversions happen durning the RCIA process.

God Bless
 
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rjmporter:
ABSOLUTELY! That is what the first several weeks focus on (the Pre Catecumenant) Althought, I would generally request that such a person be at least marginally interested in the catholic faith in the first place. But I have seen many true conversions happen durning the RCIA process.

God Bless
I don’t think she is interested in converting as she feels she has the true faith, however given that I’m dating her, she is starting to understand much more and she appears to be more interested. Thanks for the advice.
 
This is off topic, but. . . Even if her interest in simply in understanding your faith and what you beleive, but hearing it from a quasi-official teacher, I would recommend RCIA instruction. Some times we “hear” better when the speaker is not someone close to us. A prophet in his own house and all
 
It is the Holy Spirit Himself who prepares you for Confirmation, not the catechist, pastor, DRE or the candidate. Our job as catechists is to teach you Catholic doctrine so you know what you are accepting and why, and our job as sponsors is to mentor you in living life in and with Christ. The adults you encounter in your parish confirmation program are trying to the best of their ability (however misguided they may be) to create an environment that welcomes, instructs, and forms you in the faith. By the way confirmation is not You confirming your choice to “stay” catholic after your parents baptized you–it is the Church, in the person of the bishop, its local leader, confirming your election and invoking the Holy Spirit on your behalf. You can either take advantage of the gifts being offered to you, or you can reject them. If your disposition at the time the sacrament is conferred is less than optimal, the sacrament still “takes”, the efficacious sign of the sacrament always works, so sometime, maybe years later (as in my case) when you let down the defenses you may have erected against the Holy Spirit, He will come to you with all His power and shower you with His charisms.
 
to Maddelena: The gift of the Holy Spirit is 1) a promise of Christ and 2) a very great gift. Whatever it takes, immerse yourself in the spirituality of the study.

A rock? I give up, too. I’d get some glitter and paint and spruce it up. Maybe some paint that glows in ultraviolet light.

Read Ezekiel 36. Read God’s promise to YOU.
 
Hey y’all,

Thanks for answering me. My family and I have recently joined a wonderful, orthodox church (It’s very old and very beautiful!). I will be taking Confirmation classes in September, and since I’ve already had a year of Confirmation, I might be able to get confirmed sooner than all the others. ^-^
 
The Holy Spirit was definitely working in me. I reverted to the Catholic Church and was confirmed at age 21. Alot of people at my church were shocked when they found out that I was not confirmed, even the Priests.
 
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