Should I get confirmed?

[jmcrae]

Hello all,

 I am a revert to the Catholic church and have been for the past 6 years. I'm 33 now and  I never made my confirmation when I was younger.

I often at times consider getting confirmed, but I really don’t want to sit through church classes that will interfere with my real classes from school.

If you are a practicing Catholic, a shorter process is available for you. If you have to start from scratch with “Who is this God person, anyway, and what does He have to do with me?” then you would be required to take the Catechism classes of the RCIA.

Plus I’ve seen other people get introduced into the church where everything is a big deal and done in front of the congregation. I don’t like a bunch of attention and show boating.
I don’t really believe in all that much of a personal God, because of life’s experiences; so why should I bother getting confirmed?

The Sacrament of Confirmation is done in public because it is about a change in your relationship to the Church as a whole; it isn’t just a “me and Jesus” thing.

But if you don’t even believe in Jesus, then there would be little point in doing it privately either.

I recommend that you take the complete set of RCIA classes to discern whether you really want to live out the Catholic life in all its fullness, and then decide after at least one year whether you would like to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation.

 

[geovet]

You can run, but you can’t hide. You may be surprised how He will be there, steering you back to where you belong. He loves you and gave you his bride here on earth.

 

[Annabelle_Marie]

Yeah, I know that most people need to get through RCIA for the baptism and to get the Eucharist, I figured since I already had those 2 done, and I know i will never marry in the church, I just wasn’t sure if I absolutely needed it, or if I was not a full Catholic yet because I did not have it.

Still checking with my priest on the adult confirmation classes. He is hard to reach sometimes.

So these classes for confirmation only, do they differ a lot from what is taught in RCIA? Or just a shorter version of it?

You know I thought confirmation was just a check off…I did go through RCIA because my husband had to go…and I found confirmation to be so much more. I also was blessed and learned a lot from the people around me during the process…just a thought…

 

[Vico]

Hello all,

 I am a revert to the Catholic church and have been for the past 6 years. I'm 33 now and  I never made my confirmation when I was younger.

I often at times consider getting confirmed, but I really don’t want to sit through church classes that will interfere with my real classes from school. Plus I’ve seen other people get introduced into the church where everything is a big deal and done in front of the congregation. I don’t like a bunch of attention and show boating.
I don’t really believe in all that much of a personal God, because of life’s experiences; so why should I bother getting confirmed?

Yes, you should receive the seal of the gift of the Holy Spirit, and as soon as possible. It is *necessary *to complete our Christian initiation. Also called Chrismation (from the chrism oil).

The Baltimore Catechism No. 3 has this:

Q. 670. What is Confirmation?
A. Confirmation is a Sacrament through which we receive the Holy Ghost to make us strong and perfect Christians and soldiers of Jesus Christ.
Q. 671. When was Confirmation instituted?
A. The exact time at which Confirmation was instituted is not known. But as this Sacrament was administered by the Apostles and numbered with the other Sacraments instituted by Our Lord, it is certain that He instituted this Sacrament also and instructed His Apostles in its use, at some time before His ascension into heaven.
Q. 672. Why is Confirmation so called?
A. Confirmation is so called from its chief effect, which is to strengthen or render us more firm in whatever belongs to our faith and religious duties.
Q. 673. Why are we called soldiers of Jesus Christ?
A. We are called soldiers of Jesus Christ to indicate how we must resist the attacks of our spiritual enemies and secure our victory over them by following and obeying Our Lord.
…
Q. 679. What is holy chrism?
A. Holy chrism is a mixture of olive-oil and balm, consecrated by the bishop.
Q. 680. What do the oil and balm in Holy Chrism signify?
A. In Holy Chrism, the oil signifies strength, and the balm signifies the freedom from corruption and the sweetness which virtue must give to our lives.
Q. 681. How many holy oils are used in the Church?
A. Three holy oils are used in the Church, namely, the oil of the sick, the oil of catechumens, and holy chrism.
**Q. 682. What constitutes the difference between these oils?
**A. The form of prayer or blessing alone constitutes the difference between these oils; for they are all olive oil, but in the Holy Chrism, balm is mixed with the oil.

 

[Angelsflight]

You know I thought confirmation was just a check off…I did go through RCIA because my husband had to go…and I found confirmation to be so much more. I also was blessed and learned a lot from the people around me during the process…just a thought…

Yeah, i wondered too, if it I shouldn’t just go through the whole RCIA process. I am a revert and there is so much I forget from the CCD classes I had as a kid. Maybe the whole RCIA class would be a good idea.

 

[ChurchSoldier]

Hello all,

 I am a revert to the Catholic church and have been for the past 6 years. I'm 33 now and  I never made my confirmation when I was younger.

I often at times consider getting confirmed, **but I really don’t want to sit through church classes that will interfere with my real classes from school.Plus I’ve seen other people get introduced into the church where everything is a big deal and done in front of the congregation. I don’t like a bunch of attention and show boating. **
I don’t really believe in all that much of a personal God, because of life’s experiences; so why should I bother getting confirmed?

I’ve been thinking about this post since last night because something just kept coming back to me. I couldn’t figure out what it was until I re-read the post. I read many threads here with themes similar to yours which I highlighted above. I am writing this in the light of this being the next stage of your reverting.

The recurring thought I had is you (and MANY others) seem to view your spiritual life as a component of “the rest of your life”.

In essence, seeing yourself as a human or physical being with a spiritual component rather than a spiritual being with a physical component. It makes all the difference in the world. This is shown by the conflict between “real classes” and just those “religious classes”.

Apart from having no fear (respect) of the Lord or perspective regarding our relationship to him, we see value in worldly things where we see none in Godly. What we need to realize is WE DON’T ENGAGE WITH GOD TO GET SOMETHING FROM HIM. We engage in a religious life focused on Christ because of who He is, not who we are. God is the creator of everything and the only reason any of us are here is at His pleasure. We go to Mass to worship God because He is God, regardless if we “get anything” out of it. As a result we are given the gift of the opportunity to receive Christ in the form of the Eucharist and have the only thing of true value.

The reason we see empty churches and empty lives is because many have lost knowledge of God and so many make Him in their image rather than conforming themselves to His.

That’s why I listed the information on communion. If your view of Christ is such that you have a real conflict between your relationship with Him and worldly things, you should consider the exhortation before deciding to receive.

The question is not “should I get confirmed”. The question (for all of us) is, “how can I, a lost sinner, learn to thirst for Christ so tomorrow I am closer to Him than I was today.” Once you ingrain that concept, and start on that journey, the answer to your initial question will be patently clear.

We profess our faith publicly because 1) it serves as a witness to the community and 2) most times and places in history publicly proclaiming your faith could get you in a lot of trouble (read loss of life, liberty or property), and in many places it still can. Making a public profession ensures people are serious about deciding to join the church.

I am glad you are back to the Church and want to encourage you to delve deeper into your spiritual walk. I know what I wrote was hard, but our life with Christ is the ONLY truly important thing. On that day you take your last breath, the “real classes” will be long forgotten and Christ, who you will be in front of will be the only thing. I want you to hear those wonderful words “well done good and faithful servant”.

Good luck in your walk.

 

[Annabelle_Marie]

Yeah, i wondered too, if it I shouldn’t just go through the whole RCIA process. I am a revert and there is so much I forget from the CCD classes I had as a kid. Maybe the whole RCIA class would be a good idea.

I figured it was…and ya…some of it was a little boring…but it was an opportunity to help others in the class. It had been a long time since CCD…and it was a good experience. Plus I didn’t have to do early dismissal…

 

[Angelsflight]

I figured it was…and ya…some of it was a little boring…but it was an opportunity to help others in the class. It had been a long time since CCD…and it was a good experience. Plus I didn’t have to do early dismissal…

About how long did it take to go through the whole process?

 

[Annabelle_Marie]

About how long did it take to go through the whole process?

In my parish, it ran from September through Easter Vigil…which was really late that year. But, it kind of can give you more knowledge then the average cradle Catholic. You should talk to your priest or DRE.

I so appreciate confirmation…it was a sweet…sweet moment. Quite a change from thinking it was just a check off that i thought in September.

 

[thistle]

I admit, I did actually wonder this myself. I have already been baptized, and had first communion at the age of 10. I left the church before confirmation. Does it make me less of a Catholic because I am not confirmed yet?

I probably will go through RCIA eventually, illness has kept me from starting yet, but i have wondered often too, if it was a true necessity, since i have the baptism and communion parts done already.

On a separate issue a Catholic must be confirmed in order to get married.

 

[Annabelle_Marie]

On a separate issue a Catholic must be confirmed in order to get married.

Well…I wasn’t confirmed at the time I got my marriage blessed…

 

[Angelsflight]

On a separate issue a Catholic must be confirmed in order to get married.

Oh, I dont ever plan on getting married.

 

[CB_Catholic]

Well…I wasn’t confirmed at the time I got my marriage blessed…

And my husband was not confirmed when we got married.

However, they do need to be Confirmed if it can be done without grave inconvenience. I looked up the Canon–1065.

 

[Jessup]

I’ve been thinking about this post since last night because something just kept coming back to me. I couldn’t figure out what it was until I re-read the post. I read many threads here with themes similar to yours which I highlighted above. I am writing this in the light of this being the next stage of your reverting.

The recurring thought I had is you (and MANY others) seem to view your spiritual life as a component of “the rest of your life”.

In essence, seeing yourself as a human or physical being with a spiritual component rather than a spiritual being with a physical component. It makes all the difference in the world. This is shown by the conflict between “real classes” and just those “religious classes”.

Apart from having no fear (respect) of the Lord or perspective regarding our relationship to him, we see value in worldly things where we see none in Godly. What we need to realize is WE DON’T ENGAGE WITH GOD TO GET SOMETHING FROM HIM. We engage in a religious life focused on Christ because of who He is, not who we are. God is the creator of everything and the only reason any of us are here is at His pleasure. We go to Mass to worship God because He is God, regardless if we “get anything” out of it. As a result we are given the gift of the opportunity to receive Christ in the form of the Eucharist and have the only thing of true value.

The reason we see empty churches and empty lives is because many have lost knowledge of God and so many make Him in their image rather than conforming themselves to His.

That’s why I listed the information on communion. If your view of Christ is such that you have a real conflict between your relationship with Him and worldly things, you should consider the exhortation before deciding to receive.

The question is not “should I get confirmed”. The question (for all of us) is, “how can I, a lost sinner, learn to thirst for Christ so tomorrow I am closer to Him than I was today.” Once you ingrain that concept, and start on that journey, the answer to your initial question will be patently clear.

We profess our faith publicly because 1) it serves as a witness to the community and 2) most times and places in history publicly proclaiming your faith could get you in a lot of trouble (read loss of life, liberty or property), and in many places it still can. Making a public profession ensures people are serious about deciding to join the church.

I am glad you are back to the Church and want to encourage you to delve deeper into your spiritual walk. I know what I wrote was hard, but our life with Christ is the ONLY truly important thing. On that day you take your last breath, the “real classes” will be long forgotten and Christ, who you will be in front of will be the only thing. I want you to hear those wonderful words “well done good and faithful servant”.

Good luck in your walk.

I have a hard time going through and accepting a lot of these sacrements and conforming. Because I dont’ have one of those out standing conversion happy after stories like I see so many people propagate after going to Christ. I feel like I’m waiting for things in my life to change before I can really conform completely to Christ and accept all things.
I was almost protestant before, but so much talk during sermons that went off on tangents about other churches had steared me clear back into catholism.
Anyway, I hope that’s some insite about inside my mind and why I’m debating much of this.
Cheers! to all

 

[jmcrae]

I have a hard time going through and accepting a lot of these sacrements and conforming. Because I dont’ have one of those out standing conversion happy after stories like I see so many people propagate after going to Christ.

You don’t need one. If you wait until you have an exciting story to tell, you might be dead from the excitement of it all.

I know that it’s “cool” to hear of drug addicts and murderers who have converted from their life of extraordinary sin, but the best conversion stories are the quiet ones that happen without fanfare in the hearts of good people.

 

[poche]

Yes you should get confirmed - it is one of the sacraments of initiation.