Permission to be Confirmed?

[epower]

Me and my wife were at two parishes (one in CT; one in PA) where there was a ceremony during the mass to give permission to the Confirmation candidates. Basically the sponsors state that their candidates are worthy to receive confirmation; the candidates agree to be confirmed; and the congregation agrees to support and pray for the candidates. I do not remember doing this with my confirmation in 1979. Is this a new practice?

 

[puzzleannie]

Me and my wife were at two parishes (one in CT; one in PA) where there was a ceremony during the mass to give permission to the Confirmation candidates. Basically the sponsors state that their candidates are worthy to receive confirmation; the candidates agree to be confirmed; and the congregation agrees to support and pray for the candidates. I do not remember doing this with my confirmation in 1979. Is this a new practice?

there is a rite for candidates for reception into full communion with the Catholic Church that does indeed call for the candidates to attest their intentions, for the sponsors to affirm they are properly disposed, and for the assembly to pledge their support for the candidates.

This rite can also be adapted to baptized Catholic candidates for Confirmation. No it is not a ceremony where anyone “gives permission” for the candidates to be confirmed. It is as stated. The pastor must publicly attest to the bishop or his delegate, as part of the confirmation rite, that the candidates are prepared and worthily disposed and that they are requesting the sacrament, and he askes their sponsors and catechists (and parents if they are minors) to give that assurance. I have never seen the older rite so I can’t answer.