What do I need to know before I'm baptized and confirmed?

[ChuckWilson]

I have been through RCIA about 2 and a half times. I could never come into full communion until hopefully this Easter. [ The impediment to my full communion with the Church was that both I and my wife had been previously married. For a while my current wife was not willing to go through the Petition for Nullity process so that I could be confirmed. Thankfully, she agreed to join me in journey! We have both received letters indicating that the Tribunal will issue a final Decree in her case soon (they already issued one in mine). SOOOO… what traditions might I NOT know about. I don’t really know much about choosing a saint/name, etc. I love Padre Pio, St. Therese of Lisieux, and St. Jude. ] I don’t have a sponsor per se, and we just moved to another city. I’ve made some acquaintances but no close Catholic friends here yet. Any info on the next step from fellow Catholics is greatly appreciated!

 

[ChuckWilson]

Thanks, will do.

 

[Dan_Defender]

At confirmation, the Sacrament is conferred through the anointing with chrism on the forehead, administered by the Bishop by the imposition of his hand and with the words: ‘Be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit’. The Holy Spirit is the invisible gift that is bestowed and the chrism is its visible seal .
In receiving on the forehead the sign of the cross with fragrant oil, confirmands thus receive an indelible spiritual imprint, the ‘character’, which confirms them more perfectly to Christ and gives them the grace to spread the ‘good aroma’ among men.

 

[Brian_K]

There are usually a team of people in the RCIA program who help the instructor facilitate discussion, answer questions, etc. One of them will likely know some people willing to sponsor someone, or be a sponsor themselves. As far as a confirmation saint, I’d suggest calling some potential names to mind throughout the day here and there over the course of a few weeks and see if anyone keeps coming back or feels right.

 

[Joe_5859]

Yes, as CajunJoy said, your first step is to talk to the priest at whichever parish you plan on attending. Since you have been through RCIA before, it seems possible the priest would not have you go through it again, but it’s also possible he may ask you to do so.

As for choosing a Confirmation name, there are no rigid rules about what that looks like. It looks like you already have your “short list.” Just pray about it and choose accordingly. Even if you choose one, it doesn’t mean you can’t still be friends with the other two.

For a sponsor, I know it can be a challenge when you have just moved to a new area. There is no need to wait until you have a sufficiently close Catholic friend before entering the Church. You might choose a Catholic friend you know from where you used to live and invite them to come to your Baptism and Confirmation. Or you might ask the priest at your parish if he has anyone to recommend.

Of course, it’s also good to pray about it. I had one woman going through RCIA who was praying about a sponsor and then ran into another lady outside of the Adoration chapel, and ended up asking her to be her sponsor. Now they are really close. It’s not necessary that you be best friends with your sponsor, though.

It’s exciting that you are at the end of the tunnel with the annulment process. I know that can be a difficult and trying process. Praise God for that!

God bless!