Preparing for Confirmation while away from town, requirements?

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ChrisCA

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As a returning Catholic, I have been on a journey identifying and enriching my Catholic faith! I discovered that I have yet to receive the third Sacrament of Initiation and it was too late for me to join the Confirmation class this past Easter, so I have planned for next year!

The parish I attend while at university has an Adult Confirmation program that is for Catholics who never received the Sacrament of Confirmation, but have been baptized and received First Communion.

The program begins in August and goes through until Easter where we receive the Sacrament of Confirmation at the Easter Vigil.

However, my problem is that I will most likely be out of town for the Fall (August - December) and will be temporarily living somewhere else in the country and returning back in January 2012. Since I would be back in town for the second half of the program, could I still receive the Sacrament of Confirmation that Easter? I understand that it is a pastoral decision, but that the bishop is the only one who can confect it, or in certain circumstances a priest can? Not sure if I have this right, however…:confused:

Would I be able to perform any of the program requirements while away, remotely, or in conjunction with another parish there, and then complete it when I return? I guess, I just don’t know really who to see for advice since I’m a very mobile person who really doesn’t have a permanent parish at the time being due to being a college student.

Pax Christi!
 
Hi,

First of all, I would talk to the priest in whose parish that you are wanting to have the Sacrament of Confirmation done. I would tell him of your situation and your desire to be confirmed. He should work with you. If not then I would ask who he would reccomend in contacting and working with in obtaining this Sacrament.

Perhaps the other towns you are at, you could somehow work with their RCIA program and then when you move back resume the second half of the RCIA program of the parish where you want to get the Sacrament.

If all fails through the parish, then I would call the diocesan office of the parish you want to receive the Sacrament and talk with someone who can help you, if it was me, I would talk to the Bishop’s secretary and see if I could not contact the Bishop somehow. [Just make sure you have exhuasted all possibilities as the Bishop can sometimes send you back to the Church if you forgot something.]

The Bishop is the only one who can confirm, however he can delegate this to another priest.

I hope this helps.

God Bless.
 
ChrisCA said:
As

However, my problem is that I will most likely be out of town for the Fall (August - December) and will be temporarily living somewhere else in the country and returning back in January 2012. Since I would be back in town for the second half of the program, could I still receive the Sacrament of Confirmation that Easter? I u
Pax Christi!
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you need to talk to the director of the preparation program and see what arrangement he can make for your self-study while you are gone. It is possible, and I do it all the time, but in honesty I have to say maybe one out of 5, if that, actually follow through, do the assignments, respond to my emails for discussion, and come back for the mandatory retreat and actual Confirmation. If you find them uncooperative, that may be the reason. And talk to the pastor of the parish where you will be confirmed, maybe he has some ideas. If Confirmation of Catholic adults in your diocese takes place at the Easter Vigil, it is doubtful the bishop will confirm, but rather that he will give the faculty to the pastor.
 
Thanks everyone for your responses! 🙂

I will be contacting the parish at my university and see if they will allow it to be done remotely for the first part. There are only 4 monthly meetings during the fall and some readings and reports. The retreats and remaining meetings are the following year, when I will be back in town.

I don’t see why I couldn’t do it remotely, the only thing I’d miss are the discussion meetings, but I have read on here that some have been confirmed in situations where they have done self-study preperation in lieu of RCIA or another process.

The parish at my university has a special program just for those who are in need of Confirmation but have already received Baptism and First Eucharist. What a blessing! From what I read on here everyone has to go through RCIA; although I’ve also read some just go through RCIA to get a refresher on Church education.
 
ChrisCA said:
Thanks everyone for your responses! 🙂

I will be contacting the parish at my university and see if they will allow it to be done remotely for the first part. There are only 4 monthly meetings during the fall and some readings and reports. The retreats and remaining meetings are the following year, when I will be back in town.

I don’t see why I couldn’t do it remotely, the only thing I’d miss are the discussion meetings, but I have read on here that some have been confirmed in situations where they have done self-study preperation in lieu of RCIA or another process.

The parish at my university has a special program just for those who are in need of Confirmation but have already received Baptism and First Eucharist. What a blessing! From what I read on here everyone has to go through RCIA; although I’ve also read some just go through RCIA to get a refresher on Church education.
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Chris,

Well good luck. Please by all means let us know how it is going to turn out. I will be praying for you.

God Bless.
 
Little_One0307 said:
Chris,

Well good luck. Please by all means let us know how it is going to turn out. I will be praying for you.

God Bless.
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Well… Good news! I talked with the faith formation director at the parish by my school and we’ve worked out a plan for the first half this fall until I return in January!

I’ll be starting the readings soon and reporting over e-mail and Skype while I’m gone. I still have to choose a confirmation sponsor though. Hmm… 😃

Thanks for your prayers and help!
 
ChrisCA said:
Well… Good news! I talked with the faith formation director at the parish by my school and we’ve worked out a plan for the first half this fall until I return in January!

I’ll be starting the readings soon and reporting over e-mail and Skype while I’m gone. I still have to choose a confirmation sponsor though. Hmm… 😃

Thanks for your prayers and help!
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ChrisCA,

That’s good news. I have been wondering how things were going. It was quite a pleasure to see this thread updated.

I’ll pray that you are led to the sponsor that God would have you have.

God bless you.
 
ChrisCA said:
Well… Good news! I talked with the faith formation director at the parish by my school and we’ve worked out a plan for the first half this fall until I return in January!

I’ll be starting the readings soon and reporting over e-mail and Skype while I’m gone. I still have to choose a confirmation sponsor though. Hmm… 😃

Thanks for your prayers and help!
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Awesome!
 
I am glad things are working out for you with the preparation.

You and all candidates for the initiation sacraments are in my prayers.
 
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