 Sacrament of Confirmation
Confirmation is a sacrament through which we receive
the Holy Spirit to make us stronger and more perfect Christians and true
witnesses of Jesus Christ. It is a sacrament of our initiation which began
in Baptism and continues in the Eucharist. As the candidates come forward
to be confirmed they profess their faith in the Catholic Church and personally
take on the responsibility for continuing their own religious journey by
regularly participating in Sunday Mass, by continuing their spiritual formation
within the Church community, by serving others' needs, and by spreading
and defending the faith in word and deed.
In the Boston Archdiocese, Confirmation is usually
celebrated in the high school years for those who were baptized as infants.
Most parishes, including Saint Malachy's, require two years of preparation
which, for many, coincide with the first two years of high school. Since
the Church respects people's freedom to choose and since God's grace works
differently in different individuals, we do not presume that all ninth graders
will begin our Confirmation process nor do we expect that all will be confirmed
at the end of their sophomore year. Indeed, candidates may commence their
formation process later and conclude it in the latter years of high school
or even later. For this reason, the outline of our Confirmation process
is deliberately put in terms of Year I and Year II instead of the more usual
Grade 9 or Grade 10 categories.
 Expectations / Requirements
The expectations of our Confirmation process are fairly straightforward
and simple: they are liturgical, ministerial, spiritual and educational.
Liturgical: Since Confirmation is meant to coincide
with a time in our life when we take more personal responsibility for our
own lives, we expect that candidates for this sacrament will be regular
communicants at the Sunday Eucharist. This is so fundamental to our understanding
of Confirmation as Catholics that one who does not regularly assist at Sunday
Eucharist should seriously question whether he or she is ready for this
sacrament. The bedrock of our Confirmation catechesis is Sunday Mass and
we expect our candidates to attend Mass every Sunday [viz. Saturday vigil]
during their formation period. On certain of these Sundays candidates, parents
and sponsors will be expected to attend a particular Mass at Saint Malachy
and attendance will be ascertained by means of a sign in sheet in the sacristy.
It is the responsibility of the candidate to sign in for these liturgies
up to five minutes before the liturgy or afterwards. These liturgies as
well as other required gatherings are outlined on a schedule each year which
is given to those who have signed and returned in full the Confirmation
Covenant.
 Ministerial: Since the Eucharist propels us weekly
to Christian service and ministry, it is expected that candidates for Confirmation
involve themselves in ongoing service to the Church and the world. We would
expect candidates to serve in a ministry that would require, on the average,
fifteen hours per year. Such ministry or service is perhaps best construed
as a kind of apprenticeship in the Christian life. Ideally, it should be
performed in the company of others and, wherever possible, with the collaboration
of the candidate's sponsor and other older parishioners. Our Confirmation
team and parish staff will be happy to discuss various ministerial options
with you. Concretely, we will expect that candidates give a one page written
report on their ministry to the Confirmation Coordinator, Anna Molettieri,
by March 1 each year. The report should basically describe what the candidate
has been doing for a ministry and what he/she has learned from that experience.
Spiritual: Candidates for Confirmation are expected
to grow in prayer as they deepen their sense of God and spirituality. Some
consistent form of prayer each day is strongly recommended whether that
be reading from the Bible for fifteen minutes, centering prayer exercises
or prayer in the morning and/or evening. In addition, candidates in Year
II are required to participate in an extended retreat experience. The parish
offers a retreat whose dates are noted on the schedule. We are open to other
retreats [TEC, Catholic HS, etc.] being substituted for the parish retreat
with the approval of the Confirmation Coordinator. Sponsors are expected
to attend part of the parish retreat with their candidate. If the sponsor
is out of town at least one parent is expected to attend the retreat with
his/her child. For those participating in the retreat offered by the parish
a $30 retreat fee is due by February 1. It should be noted that all candidates
for Confirmation, no matter what their educational option [see below] are
expected to fulfill the above liturgical, ministerial and spiritual requirements.
Educational: Since Confirmation initiates us into
a lifelong process of Christian living, learning and maturation, candidates
are required to complete at least two years of high school level religious
studies prior to receiving the sacrament. We offer five options from which
candidates may choose.
Catholic School - Students enrolled in a Catholic high school
who successfully complete two years of religious studies will have fulfilled
their educational requirements for Confirmation. Thus, they will not be
required to attend class at Saint Malachy's on Wednesday evenings though
they will be required to participate in all other dimensions of Confirmation
preparation as noted above and in the accompanying schedule. Evidence of
grades from the Catholic high school and/or an appropriate note from the
instructor is required by April 1 of each year.
Home Study - Given the complexity of daily schedules and the variety
of learning needs among our young people, we are open to candidates' working
at home with their parents and/or sponsor to fulfill the educational requirement.
Candidates interested in this option and their parents will need to be interviewed
by the Confirmation Coordinator. They will be asked to follow a high school
level text and to report in writing twice a year [January 1 and May 1] as
to their progress and understanding. Home study candidates will still need
to participate in the liturgical, ministerial and spiritual activities as
noted in the year's schedule and on this web page.
Liturgy Based Catechesis - Since the Sunday Eucharist is the church's
primary and most influential mode of catechesis and religious understanding
we would encourage motivated candidates who attend Mass regularly to explore
this option instead of the Wednesday evening classes. Candidates will reflect
on the readings, the preaching and the music of each Sunday's liturgy keeping
a journal of their deepening religious understanding. Candidates interested
in this option will need to be interviewed by Ken Meltz or Mary Driscoll,
the group facilitators. Participants will meet four to five times during
the year in an extended format which will allow time for prayer, reflection
and meal sharing. The schedule will be worked out with the participants
when the group first convenes.
Stained Glass Workshop- Participants in this option are expected
to attend Mass each week [preferably the 12 noon on Sunday] and will meet
weekly either on Thursday afternoon [Year I] or Thursday evening [Year II].
Candidates interested in this option need to be interviewed by its facilitator,
Ms. Lee Norris and, because of space limitations, participation is limited
to six candidates in each year. This option is unique in that the catechetical
and ministerial requirements are met through working in a more artistic,
interpersonal and expressive educational milieu. On occasion sponsors and/or
parents will be asked to join the candidates for a joint reflection, project
or dinner.
Wednesday Classes - We will still offer our Wednesday classes
at Saint Malachy's for Year I and Year II students as still another option.
Year I will follow a liturgy based program called Spirit while Year II students
will meet with guest speakers and other presenters as they prepare for the
celebration of the sacrament at the end of Year II. Class periods will run
from 7:30 -8:45 PM and we expect to both start and stop on time. Students
need to be accompanied tothe Wednesday class by either their sponsor or
one of their parents if the sponsor lives far away. Some time will be allotted
in every class session for sharing between the candidate and his/her sponsor.
Students missing a class or a scheduled liturgy because of illness or other
good reason are asked to inform Anna Molettieri in advance.
Absences: Students who miss two or more sessions
[classes, Sunday Liturgies, other services] or who fail to fulfill all the
requirements [e.g. the service component, the Year II retreat, etc.] will
need to meet with the Confirmation Coordinator and, depending on how much
is missed, may be asked to repeat the entire year. In a two year program
with a limited number of gatherings we consider attendance at mass and all
scheduled events extremely important. If other commitments [sports, family,
school] do not allow faithful attendance to our program at this time we
recommend waiting until you have the time and space needed to prepare well
for Confirmation.
The Sponsor: All candidates for Confirmation must
select a sponsor. While it is preferable that the sponsor for Confirmation
be the same as the baptismal sponsor it is allowed to select another person.
In general, the sponsor should be the kind of person with whom the candidate
is willing to share the faith journey. The criteria for a sponsor are included
below and we urge you to read these carefully and think seriously about
your choice before asking someone to be your sponsor. Since sponsors are
expected to attend class and other functions with the candidates they will
need to be asked to participate early on in the Confirmation process. Should
the sponsor live far away or should you be undecided for a while as to whom
to ask one of the parents is expected to attend the various sessions with
the candidate. At the latest you should have your sponsor selected by December
1 of Year I so that the sponsor can be a constant companion on the faith
journey and a mentor for mature Catholic life and Church membership.
Criteria for Sponsors:
1. A person who is a practicing faith-filled Roman Catholic adult.
2. A person who is able to relate in friendship to a teenager and is
a good listener.
3. A person who is willing to participate in the Confirmation process
during the year by attending class and other sessions, including Sunday
Mass, with his/her candidate.
4. A person who is willing to share his or her own experience of faith.
5. Sponsors must be fully initiated Catholics, that is, they must have
received the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and the Eucharist. Preferably,
the baptismal sponsor should be the Confirmation sponsor whenever possible.
6. A sponsor must be at least sixteen years old.
7. Parents may not be sponsors for their sons and daughters.
8. The name of your sponsor should be included at the time you fill out
the Confirmation Covenant.
The Confirmation Covenant: Incoming candidates are
asked to fill out and sign a Confirmation Covenant, a kind of contract between
the candidate, his/her family and the parish community of Saint Malachy.
Students are expected to fill out and return the Covenant by September 2
of each year at the latest. At that time the schedule for the year will
be sent to the candidate so that he/she can mark their calendar for upcoming
gatherings, masses and classes. Until such time as we receive the Confirmation
Covenant completely filled out we will not consider you an Continued on
back cover active candidate for Confirmation preparation at Saint Malachy.
A Final Word: We can only reiterate what we have
said above that Confirmation is an extremely important event in the life
of the church and in the life of the individual. We, for our part, will
try to provide a program that is spiritually enriching and personally challenging.
We hope that you will give this time of preparation the time, energy, cooperation
and sense of priority which preparing for a sacrament in the church demands.
We look forward to sharing this journey of faith with you and your family.
Should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to call
Anna Molettieri, our Confirmation Coordinator, at 272-5111.
REQUIREMENTS IN A NUTSHELL
Liturgical
- Attendance at Mass every Sunday during the course of preparing for
Confirmation. Masses at Saint Malachy are 4:00 PM [Sat.] 8:00, 10:00 AM
& 12 noon on Sunday.
- Some Sundays [roughly one a month] candidates, sponsors and parents
are to attend our 12 noon Liturgy as noted in the yearly schedule.
- Other liturgies as noted in the yearly schedule.
Ministerial
- At least fifteen hours of ministry/service during the course of the
year. Report due by March 1.
Spiritual
- Growing in prayer and deepening awareness of God.
- For Year II Candidates: Participation in a Retreat. The parish sponsored
retreat will be in the spring. Retreat fee $30 due by February 1.
Educational
- Participation in and successful completion of one of the five options
outlined in our Confirmation brochure: Catholic HS, Liturgy Based, Stained
Glass Workshop, Home Study or Weekday program. NB Sponsor [or a parent]
must accompany candidate to Wednesday evening sessions.
Absences
- No more than two including liturgies and other sessions as noted in
the yearly schedule.
Confirmation Covenant
- Signed in full and returned with Confirmation fee before beginning
Confirmation preparation.
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