By signing with the gift of the Spirit, Confirmation enriches the baptized with the Holy Spirit, binding them more perfectly to the Church, and strengthening them in their witness to Christ by word and deed and in their work to bring to its .fullness the Body of Christ. (C879) The age for Confirmation has changed throughout history to more adequately meet the needs of the Christian community.  

The revised Rite of Confirmation permits the Conference of Bishops to designate the age when Confirmation will be celebrated.  The USCCB has determined that each Bishop shall establish the age for Confirmation in his diocese. 

The official policy for the Diocese of Orange states that Confirmation should not be celebrated before the candidate has reached 15 years of age. Confirmation celebrates an individual's personal response to faith. Because it is a Sacrament of Initiation, an individual's readiness is determined by their dialogue and instruction with members of the faith community. While parents may desire that their child receive instruction for the Sacrament, the actual reception of the Sacrament of Confirmation rests with the individual. Confirmation is not necessary for the Sacrament of Marriage; however, once married the couple should work together towards the preparation and reception of the Sacrament at the earliest possible time. Adults who have not yet been confirmed must seek instruction through the R.C.I.A. Program. (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults, 714-522-2193) Young people who have not been confirmed seek instruction through the Office for Faith Formation. (714-522-3971)
Common Questons:

1. Can parents be sponsors? 
No. Parents may not act as sponsors (c. 874). While parents are not to serve as sponsors, their role in the faith development of their children is not to be underplayed or minimized. 

2. Can someone who cannot be at the actual Confirmation be a sponsor and someone else fill in as proxy? 
Yes.however, it is recommended that someone nearby be chosen as the sponsor so that she or he can become more intimately involved in the candidate's preparation. 

3. May a priest or a professed religious be a sponsor? 
Yes, a priest may act as either a baptismal or confirmation sponsor . Religious as well, are also free to undertake this role. 

4. What are the qualifications for a sponsor?  A person must:
+ be designated by the one to be confirmed;
+ be ]6 years old; 
+ be a practicing Catholic in good standing...one who has been confirmed, who has received the sacrament of Eucharist and leads a life in harmony with the faith and role to undertaken, and if married, be married in the Catholic Church,
+ not be bound by any canonical penalty legitimately imposed or declared;
+ not be the father or mother of the one to be confirmed(c. 874). 

4.  Can a male be a Confirmation Sponsor for a female candidate and vice versa?
Yes. 

5. Do candidates need a confirmation name? 
As greater emphasis is placed on intimate connection between confirmation and baptism, the baptismal name is seen as having greater significance, Candidates may choose a confirmation name ...a recognized saint (not "blessed") and at the time of Confirmation they will be required to give the bishop the full name of the saint, ie, "Joseph, the carpenter"...."John Bosco". 

8. What should be included in a bishop's letter of intent?
They can include: 
+ the confirmand's desire to be confirmed; 
+ a statement or two about their faith growth--past, present, future;
+ a description of their volunteer service and the effect it had on their life. 
+ information as to why they chose their saints' name and how the saint will be a role model in their own life.

9. Is a confirmation retreat required? 
Yes, the retreat is integral to the candidate's preparation.    

10. How many hours of service are recommended? 
The following are examples of the servce activities. Once enrolled in the Confirmation instruction, you will receive the current requiremments.
---Group Activity + Group Activity = Fulfilled requirements
---Group Activity + 3 hours of individual service + fulfilled requirements
---6 hours of individual sercice = fulfilled requirements.

11. Can parents demand that their children be confirmed? 
No. Confirmation must be the free choice of the individual. Parents may, however, require children to attend the confirmation preparation sessions.

12. If young people were confirmed at birth, as is the Hispanic tradition, or were confirmed through the RCIC process, may they be confirmed again in adolescence? 
No. confirmation may not be repeated. If young people have already been confirmed and wish to participate in a parish's confirmation preparation and celebration, they may do so. However, at the time of confirmation, they would simply be greeted and blessed rather than anointed. 

13. What is the age for confirmation? 
15 years.

14. Why isn't confirmation celebrated at the Catholic high schools instead of at the parish? 
The parish is the center for initiation and is the place where adult faith is lived out. 

15. How long is the confirmation program? Our Faith Formation program is two-years.

 

CONFIRMATION