Catholic liturgical calendar? Confirmation?

Question

What is the form of the liturgical rite of confirmation in Catholicism?
Also, how many days do Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter, and ordinary time last?

Answer 1

+ Confirmation +

Confirmation is one of the seven sacraments, namely Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick, Matrimony, and Holy Orders.

Confirmation is one of the three sacraments of initiation, namely Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist. A person who has received all three of these sacraments is considered a fully initiated Catholic.

The priest or bishop lays their hands upon the person receiving Confirmation, the priest or bishop says, "Be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit," the person says, "Amen," and then they are anointed with holy oil (just like King David).

Confirmation:
+ Brings an increase and deepening of baptismal grace:
+ Roots us more deeply in the divine childhood which makes us cry, "Abba! Father!"
+ Unites us more firmly to Christ;
+ Increases the gifts of the Holy Spirit in us;
+ Renders our bond with the Church more perfect
+ Gives us a special strength of the Holy Spirit to spread and defend the faith by word and action as true witnesses of Christ, to confess the name of Christ boldly, and never to be ashamed of the Cross

A fully initiated Catholic can be:
+ A godparent
+ A Confirmation sponsor
+ A lector who reads scripture at Mass
+ An extraordinary minister of the Eucharist
. + At Mass
. + To the sick
+ A Sacristan
+ A Cantor
+ And many other ministries

For more information, see the Catechism of the Catholic Church, sections 1285 and following: http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/pt2sect2chpt1art2.htm

+ Liturgical Calendar +

The season of Advent starts four Sundays before Christmas and ends on Christmas eve. Depending on the day of the week that Christmas falls on Advent can be as short as 22 days of as long as 28 days. In 2007, Advent will start on December 2.

The season of Christmas starts on December 25 and lasts 12 days (yes, the 12 days of Christmas) until Epiphany on January 6.

The season of Lent lasts for 40 days (not counting Sundays), starting on Ash Wednesday and ending on Holy Saturday.

The season of Easter lasts for 50 days (counting Sundays), starting on Easter Sunday and ending on Pentecost.

The season of Ordinary Time is in two parts. One from January 7 until the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday (Mardi Gras) and the other part from the Monday after Pentecost Sunday until the Saturday before the first Sunday of Advent. The length of Advent, the date of Easter, and even leap year will effect the length of the two parts of Ordinary Time.

+ With love in Christ.

Answer 2

There's no "liturgical time". They can be done at any time, really.

They tend to be done in spring, though. Thats when kids in religious education prepping for confirmation would be about done and ready for it, and that's around Easter Vigil, when adults are usually confirmed.

Advent is from Christ the King to Christmas. It varies just how long that is - up to four full weeks and down to three full weeks. It a touch more than three this year.

Lent is 40 days - Ash Wednesday to Holy Thursday. These dates fluctuate from year to year.

Easter is from Easter to Pentecost, 50 days. Again, these dates fluctuate.

Ordinary time is basically whenever there's nothing else special going on. It can be anywhere from 40 weeks total(Epiphany to Easter and then {Pentecost to Christ the King) to 49 weeks. This is because the date of Easter fluctuates, which throws everything else off with it.