Archdiocesan Policy & Guidelines for Confirmation Preparation
Confirmation preparation and reception is intended to take place during the freshman and sophomore years of high school with primary emphasis on the sophomore year. Youth should have the opportunity for preparation and reception of the sacrament by the end of their 16″* year of age.
A person who is to be confirmed should be prepared through suitable instruction, proper personal disposition, and the ability and willingness to renew baptismal promises. See canon 889, paragraph 2 Candidates must have participated in a Confirmation Preparation Program in order to be confirmed. The preparation program should be at least six months in length allowing for some programs to be up to two years in length.
It is recommended by the Archdiocese of Portland that parishes require a candidate be involved in their home parish through Religious Education, Youth Ministry, or other parish experiences such as liturgical ministry or parish outreach ministries outside of and including regular weekend Mass attendance for one year prior to beginning the year long preparation program.
Preparation programs should contain the following six components:
Because of the intrinsic connection between Baptism and Confirmation, candidates may choose to use their Baptismal names for Confirmation. However, if a candidate wishes to choose a Confirmation name the following considerations should be encouraged: The name reflects a Christian ideal, goal or value that they wish to strive for or the name is chosen in honor of a particular saint whose holiness or charitable works inspire them.
Since Confirmation is conferred during “the age of reason” it implies that the candidates are making an informed decision/choice to complete their full-initiation into the Church. Thus it is recommended that Confirmation be available on an annual basis. Smaller parishes may consider sharing resources with neighboring parishes and within their vicariate, or consider offering the opportunity every two years.
It is expected that the parish assume responsibility for providing on-going comprehensive youth ministry and other formational experiences and opportunities in addition to and beyond Confirmation. The conferring of the Sacrament of Confirmation completes full initiation and implies a commitment to discipleship. Discipleship requires continuing and on-going formation and service opportunities that must be nurtured – especially after initiation.
Parishes are asked to develop and keep a written outline of their preparation program.
Please contact Eddie Caudel
Eddie@qpsalem.org
503-364-7202 ext. 205
For adult Catholics who have not yet received the Sacrament of Confirmaiton, please contact Eddie as soon as possible if you would like to prepare to receive the Holy Sacrament of Confirmation which is confirred by Archbishop Alexander Sample at the Cathedral in May.
For adults who are not Catholic, but desire full communion in the Catholic Church or just want to know more about the Catholic faith, please contact Eddie and check out Becoming Catholic/RCIA.