"The person who is confirmed receives a deepening of God's friendship..."
St. Joseph Confirmation Book, Part 1
2008-2009 school year information:
Within
the Archdiocese of Baltimore, Confirmation Preparation is, minimally, a
two-year process. Religious Education Programs in parishes and schools
include a basic understanding of all the sacraments and are understood
as remote preparation for the sacraments in accord with Signs of
God's Love, regulations published by the Division of Religious
Education. This remote preparation enables the young person to
have sufficient knowledge of the Catholic faith so that they can decide
whether to join the process for immediate preparation for Confirmation,
when an invitation is extended to them. A minimum of one year's
consistent participation in these programs or a process approved by the
parish is required prior to entrance in to immediate preparation.
The immediate preparation for, and first celebration of, the sacraments
of initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist) are a
responsibility of the parish. Parishes provide a program for
immediate preparation for Confirmation distinct from the ordinary parish
or school catechetical program. This is done in accord with the
Archdiocesan regulations, Signs of God's Love and The Seal of
the Spirit. The immediate preparation is brief in duration,
focused on the sacrament's meaning and ritual. Since the
candidates have exercised a degree of free choice in entering this
phase, they are expected to fulfill certain expectations.
In accordance with Archdiocesan Regulations, each parish is to include the following eight required components of this phase of preparation:
V the resourcing of families with opportunities for formation and materials for faith sharing,
V faith sharing opportunities between candidate and sponsor,
V celebration with the parish community,
V 9-12 hours of catechesis,
V involvement in service and a continued sharing of the church's social mission,
V a retreat experience,
V opportunities for prayer and worship,
V an interview with a member of the pastoral staff.
(Source: The Seal of the Spirit, third edition, as published by the Division of Religious Education and Division of Youth & Young Adult Ministry, Archdiocese of Baltimore)
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