Baptism, the Eucharist, and the Sacrament of Confirmation together constitute the sacraments of Christian initiation. The reception of the sacrament of Confirmation is necessary for the completion of baptismal grace. By the sacrament of Confirmation, the baptized are more perfectly bound to the Church and are enriched with a special strength of the Holy Spirit. The sacrament of Confirmation is the way for a Catholic to attain full membership in the Catholic Church. It is a beautiful sacrament that instills God's grace in those who receive it to strengthen, sustain and empower them for the remainder of their faith journey.
GUIDELINES FOR CANDIDATES FOR THE SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION
1. According to Diocesan guidelines, any baptized Christian, not yet Confirmed, who has completed an appropriate period of formation, is able to receive the sacrament.
2. In the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, the age for the reception of the sacrament of Confirmation is the 11th grade.
3. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that it is the "parish community...that bears the special responsibility for the preparation of confirmands". Therefore, the ordinary place where an individual will be prepared and receive the sacrament of Confirmation will be the parish of registration of the candidate's parents or legal guardian or the parish in whose territory they live (if unregistered).
4.Confirmation preparation is a two-year program which begins when a student is in 10th grade. In our diocese Confirmation takes place in the 11th grade of high school.
THE SELECTION OF A SPONSOR
The Confirmation sponsor "brings the candidate to receive the sacrament, presents them to the bishop for anointing, and will later help them fulfill their baptismal promises faithfully under the influence of the Holy Spirit whom they have received" (Rite of Confirmation, 5).
These are the requirements to be a Confirmation sponsor:
1. Sufficient maturity (at least 16 years of age) to fill the role and function of sponsor.
2. Membership in the Catholic Church and received all the sacraments of initiation (baptism, confirmation, and eucharist).
3. A practicing Catholic in good standing with the Church (living according to church teachings) and, if married, then married in the Roman Catholic Church.
4. Living example of faith, one whose actions reflect the actions of Jesus.
5. Offers support and encouragement during the time of confirmation preparation and supports them throughout their lives.
Confirmation sponsors need not be of the same gender as the candidate nor do they need to be from the same family. The child's father or mother, step-parent or foster parent may not serve as sponsor.
HOW TO REGISTER FOR CONFIRMATION
Registration is usually held in the spring. Registration forms are available in the sidebar. In addition to the registration form, the following are also necessary to receive the sacrament of Confirmation:
1. Completed Sponsor Form (found in the sidebar).
2. Copy of Baptism Certificate.
CONFIRMATION SESSIONS
Sessions for the first year of Confirmation preparation (10th grade) are held on designated Sundays from 1:30 to 3:00 p.m. with Mass following at 6 p.m. Personal interviews with all Confirmation candidates are held in early August and learning sessions begin in August.
Sessions for the second year of Confirmation preparation (11th grade) are held on designated Sundays from 4 to 5:30 p.m. with Mass following at 6 p.m. Sessions are held beginning in mid-August.