Catholic Confirmation?

Question

What do I need to know for Confirmation? I'm going to take a class for it, but what do I need to know? Do I need to memorize anything? What happens during the Confirmation? Any good websites? Thanks!

Answer 1

Geez, I'm an atheist, but I'm not going to attack you.
Ok, confirmation-you take a class and truthfully it is rather boring. They will explain what confirmation means and what it means to your life in the church.
As far as I can recall you do not need to memorize anything at all.
The confirmation is basically you responding yes to all the questions "do you devote your life to our lord" etc...
It's basically just promising yourself to the catholic church.
your advocate...there might be a different name for him/her...will answer the same questions and is basically your witness.
It's easy, not a big deal, and you get to pick your own saint name.
(I was raised catholic, did all the rites and was already an atheist at the time...)

Answer 2

Confirmation is the completion of your Baptism, in the process of initiation. Of course you don't yet comprehend what being a Christian involves. The point of the classes is to help you understand what it's all about. When baptized as an infant, you could not comprehend what is involved. Your parents are correct, that you'll continue to grow, if you make the effort. They should not be forcing you, but they have your best interests in mind. Don't be afraid to talk to a priest or teacher, they've heard all the excuses. If you just go through the motions, the sacrament will have no effect. But if you refuse to even try, you're guaranteed to learn nothing. Stop being the stubborn juvenile, & give GOD a chance to touch you.

Answer 3

A few good sources:

For a technical, theological understand of this sacrament go to http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04215b.htm

Also http://www.catholic.com/library/Confirmation.asp

During the Sacrament of Confirmation, you will receive the Holy Spirit. It is not something to be taken lightly at all. You must prepare for it and realize that you are taking a serious oath before God. You are receiving a gift of God in Christ and will be held accountable for it. Prepare for it. Learn about the sacrament. Pray. Read the Catechism where it speaks on the Sacrament of Confirmation. But you will receive the power of the Holy Spirit from the Bishops as he lays hands upon you because of Apostolic Succession - the passing on of the gift and authority of the Apostles by the laying on of hands up until the current time.

Answer 4

Preparation for confirmation is the same type of prayerful study that many Catholics pursue throughout life.

Read the great encyclicals of the Popes.. http://www.vatican.va

Read sections of the Catechism over time - but the Catechism is not a cover to cover read, read sections like any reference book.. http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/

Read about the Saints.. Like many Catholics, you could sign up for the Saint of the day email service on http://www.americancatholic.org/ The Observant Franciscans run this publishing company. http://www.ofm.org

Think about your prayer life.. Plan for prayer time during the day. Whether you pray a few psalms each day like the Benedictines. Liturgy of the Hours.. A great resource site http://www.osb.org or adopt another prayer regimen.

Maybe you will pursue personal Marian consecration in the future? http://www.consecration.com

As you read and pray in preparation for confirmation, you will find momentum for more reading and study to last a lifetime as a Catholic.

Answer 5

I doubt that you'll have to memorize anything. Usually the class will have a book for reference. They will cover things like the ritual. Normally, it is done by a Bishop, but can be done by a priest, which is common in RCIA when everyone is entering the Church on Holy Saturday evening Mass. Comfirmation involves the laying on of hands and the annointing with chrism and prayers. It is a deeper reception of the Holy Spirit into ones life. (That's a very good thing). Be expectant, God is the giver of good gifts!

Answer 6

The classes actually teach you more than just "how to go through Confirmation". They also teach you about some of the church's stances on issues so that you have no doubts about whether you want to be Confirmed or not.

Answer 7

In order to be confirmed into the catholic faith you must believe in the tenets of the faith, be willing to uphold the faith and its teachings, be a disciple of christ and do your part to bring people into the church and spread the word, know the prayers and the creeds, etc.. Its pretty simple in the actual ceremony the bishop says do you reject satan and all evil and a bunch of other stuff and you just have to say that you do, they tell you all this before the end of the teaching program. Dont worry if your meant to follow the catholic faith then no one can stop you. I used to be catholic, born and raised, but when i came to my confirmation time i backed away, i knew it wasnt for me and just told the priest and walked away, the priest also told me later that i was meant to and he knew i was the one that was to leave that year he said the holy spirit told him but i dont know if thats true but he is a nice guy and what happened between the holy spirit and him is between them. Good luck to you on your path of spiritual fulfillment and enlightenment, but do me the one favor of looking at everything the religion has done throughout its history and comparing it to the beliefs of the religion and examine every aspect of it so that when you walk up there and say yes your ready to become catholic that you dont later on decide to leave the catholic church, since you made an oath to the divine itself saying you would become catholic and then are turning your back which isnt good, so make sure by the time you get confirmed your totally sure that its what your soul is telling you and not just your mind, the mind plays tricks on you and the heart can be mislead but the soul knows all. Good Luck.

Answer 8

The Catholic Church teaches:

Preparation for Confirmation should aim at leading the Christian toward a more intimate union with Christ and a more lively familiarity with the Holy Spirit—his actions, his gifts, and his biddings—in order to be more capable of assuming the apostolic responsibilities of Christian life.

To this end catechesis (teaching) for Confirmation should strive to awaken a sense of belonging to the Church of Jesus Christ, the universal Church as well as the parish community.

For more information, see the Catechism of the Catholic Church, section 1309: http://www.nccbuscc.org/catechism/text/pt2sect2chpt1art2.htm#1309

With love in Christ.

Answer 9

Just go along with the classes. They're more of a formality than anything. Along the way there's usually a 1-on-1 session with the priest, to see how seriously you take all of this (even though they'll go through with it anyway). You'll also have to pick your confirmation name (just pick a first name from anywhere in the Bible) and a sponsor (somebody to go up there with you, who has been confirmed, and isn't one of your parents).

When the ceremony comes, it will be pretty easy. Wear your robe, stand in line, give the Bishop your new name, and he'll annoint your forehead.

Answer 10

no need to worry. You will be taught everything you need to know, and you have a rehearsal of the ceremony.

You do not need to memorize anything.

During the ceremony, you will be anointed with oil.

Congratulations.

Peace be with you.