Theology of Confirmation

What is the Sacrament of Confirmation?
Confirmation completes baptismal grace by strengthening the individual with power of the Holy Spirit, and enlivens the graces of the other sacraments (cf. Catechism, no. 1285).
www.cuf.org/faithfacts/details_view.asp?ffID=189

What is the biblical basis of the Sacrament of Confirmation?
What graces does it confer?
At what age should it be administered?
When can the faithful receive this sacrament?
Confirmation is a sacrament of Christian initiation with a strong biblical basis; it completes baptismal grace and strengthens the individual with the power of the Holy Spirit. For children in the Latin Rite dioceses of the United States, Confirmation is administered between the ages of seven and sixteen and should not be denied to those who are suitably disposed.
www.cuf.org/faithfacts/details_view.asp?ffID=231
www.cuf.org/LayWitness/online_view.asp?lwID=189

Thoughts from Bishop Morlino
As our young people are prepared for Confirmation, the point should be made repeatedly that those who are already baptized are in fact called by Christ to receive the Holy Spirit unto strength in Confirmation. This call from Christ through Baptism is irrevocable. It would seem clear that the students should not be allowed to believe that this is a moment in fact to say no to the call of Christ. It is quite possible that this or that student may not believe that he or she is ready for this particular sacrament so that it would be postponed. This should always be done in pastoral discussion with the parish priest himself. But the call of Christ to be confirmed that comes with Baptism, that is Christ's choice of them through Baptism for the full life of the Church, is the choice that should be strongly emphasized as the choice far more important than their own particular choice. "It is not you who have chosen me - I have chosen you." (more...)

Confirmation Sponsors

What are the requirements for being a confirmation sponsor?
The norms are identical to those for a godparent in a Catholic baptism.
According to the Code of Canon Law:

Can. 872 Insofar as possible, a person to be baptized is to be given a sponsor who assists an adult in Christian initiation or together with the parents presents an infant for baptism. A sponsor also helps the baptized person to lead a Christian life in keeping with baptism and to fulfill faithfully the obligations inherent in it.

Can. 873 There is to be only one male sponsor or one female sponsor or one of each.

Can. 874 §1. To be permitted to take on the function of sponsor a person must:

1. be designated by the one to be baptized, by the parents or the person who takes their place, or in their absence by the pastor or minister and have the aptitude and intention of fulfilling this function;
2. have completed the sixteenth year of age, unless the diocesan bishop has established another age, or the pastor or minister has granted an exception for a just cause;
3. be a Catholic who has been confirmed and has already received the most holy sacrament of the Eucharist and who leads a life of faith in keeping with the function to be taken on;
4. not be bound by any canonical penalty legitimately imposed or declared;
5. not be the father or mother of the one to be baptized.

§2. A baptized person who belongs to a non-Catholic ecclesial community is not to participate except together with a Catholic sponsor and then only as a witness of the baptism.

Canon 893 also adds that "It is desirable to choose as sponsor the one who undertook the same function in baptism" —i.e., has served as godparent. This is not a requirement, but expresses more clearly the link between Baptism and Confirmation and also makes the function and responsibility of the sponsor more effective.

Should I be a Confirmation sponsor?
www.cuf.org/faithfacts/details_view.asp?ffID=271

Godparents and Sponsors - What Is Expected of Them Today?
Have you ever wondered why some people have very involved godparents and sponsors, while others don't even know theirs? Perhaps part of the problem is that many godparents and sponsors were chosen for the wrong reasons, or because those same people don't really know what they're supposed to do! Do you?
www.americancatholic.org/Newsletters/CU/ac0497.asp

Can a step parent serve as a Confirmation sponsor?
An opinion concerning Canon Law

Confirmation Retreats

If you have candidates who are unable to attend the confirmation retreat opportunities that you provided, several parishes have graciously offered to open their retreat offerings to non-parishioners. Those parishes include:

None scheduled at this time. 

If you would like to open your own parish's confirmation retreat in this fashion, please notify the OEC at 608-821-3160 or OEC@straphael.org.