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This time of preparation is designed to help the candidate to reach the decision that they want to be confirmed; it does not begin with that assumption.  The decision to be confirmed  should, as far as possible, be taken by the candidates (in consultation, of course, with the parents and with the catechists). 

Sponsors should be chosen on the basis of example, good qualities and friendship; they should be the kind of people the candidates can go to and discuss spiritual and moral issues in their lives.  Sponsors must be practicing Catholics; they are often the candidates Godparents.  They will stand as witnesses to the candidates’ faith, intention and moral character.

The themes covered in most programmes include:

• an explanation of the Rite of Confirmation, its signs and symbols
• the Gifts of the Spirit
• the Sacraments
• the Creed
• the Commandments and the Beatitudes

Parents’ sessions offer an opportunity of catechesis to the parents, support them in their role as the first educators of their children in their faith and can be an opportunity of inviting them to be more involved in the parish.

Diocesan courses to prepare catechists to prepare teenagers for Confirmation

Use this link to find out more about courses offered by the diocese.

Resources and links

• The Rite of Confirmation, Sacred Congregation for Divine Worship, 1971
• Celebrating our Faith – Confirmation, Margaret Manrahan, Brown-Roa, Dubuque, 1999
• Power Through His Spirit, Kathy Hunnybun, Matthew James Publishing Limited, Chelmsford, Essex, 1998
• Preparing for Confirmation — a series of sessions to prepare or the Sacrament of Confirmation, Diana Klein, McCrimmons Publishers, London, 1999
• The Spirit Sets Us Free – Confirmation Preparation for Youth, Linda Gaupin, Sadlier Sacrament Program, New York, 2002
• Survival Guide to Confirmation, Catechist’s Guide, Stephen Gomez, St. Paul’s Publications, Trowbridge, 1993.
• Welcome the Spirit, A Catechist’s Confirmation Handbook, Sister Mary Bernard Potter, SP and Nigel Bavidge, Geoffrey Chapman, London, 1996.

Articles:

• Diana Klein: “For enquiring minds and hearts”, The Tablet, October 14, 2006
• Fr. John Deehan: “Brightness for young things”, The Tablet, June 3, 2006
• Diana Klein: “More than a rite of passage”, The Tablet, 21 May 2005

More details will be posted shortly. If you have any questions about confirmation preparation, contact one of the catechetical advisers: Anthony Curran, Mary Crowley or Diana Klein.