I need help in answering: Catholic Confirmation of ther Elderly and re-Confirmation?

Question

Hello, My mother is a Catholic as am I. She has been all her life but being a child of Presbyterian parents she has never had Confirmation. She is 50 and would like to get Confirmed. I was wondering if anyone can help me in finding out where we can go for Confirmation for her. I know we can go to our Church but she wants to be Confirmed not just by herself in front of a crowd and not with just the little children and her. She is a shy women. We are from Sydney. Also I was wondering if a person can get reconfirmed? I was Confirmed many years ago but would like to be reconfirmed with my mother if I once again can. And do I have to chose a Saints name or can I choose a Holy place as my name? Thank you all for your help. Very much appreciated. Merry Christmas and bless you all.

Answer 1

I don't know what it's called in Australia, but your mom would need to take adult catechism classes (RCIA in the U.S.) to prepare for her confirmation. Most churches have classes that go from fall to Easter and confirm a group of adults all at one time.

You do not need to be reconfirmed, but if you have been away from the Church, you could possibly be asked to make another Profession of Faith when you come back.

However, if you are actively Catholic, what would probably be best is for you to be your mother's sponsor as she prepares for Confirmation. Go to classes with her and learn all she learns. Then when she makes her Profession of Faith, you'll be standing by her and making the same Profession at the same time. That's the closest thing to a "reconfirmation" that there is.

I think the rule on confirmation names is that they are saints, not places. But most holy places have a saint attached to them somehow, so maybe you can compromise that way?

Have a lovely Christmas!

Answer 2

Well, many people are Confirmed during the Easter Vigil. It's a very nice Mass. I went a couple years ago for the first time, and have been going for the last couple years. Many people (depending on how many want to) of all diff. ages, etc. recieve Confirmation (as well as Baptism) there. Talk to your Priest to get more info., and about the "Name of a Holy Place" thing.

Actually, once you have been Confirmed yourself, you can't be Confirmed again, BUT a great thing for you to do would be her "SPONSOR". All Confirmation candidates (like your mom) should be required to have a sponsor. Basically, it is someone to guide/share in the Catholic faith. You know? It would be cool if you offered to do that for her. I bet she would love it!

Alot of people don't even choose Confirmation names, I believe you should, but it is a fairly recent custom. I think it's nice, but I'm not sure about place names. That is all on your Priest, or maybe the Church denies it... I really don't know.

Hope I could help!
I'll pray for your mom.
God bless! Peace.

P.S. If she needs to take a Saint's name this would be a great website you could show her:
http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/indexsnt.htm

Answer 3

Your mother can be confirmed. Talk to your parish priest about her circumstances and ask him if something can be done to accomodate her.

No, you cannot be reconfirmed, like Baptism, Confirmation is a once in a lifetime thing. But you might think about being your mother's Confirmation sponsor.

With love in Christ.

Answer 4

If you go through RCIA you can ask for the Priest to confirm you in a private setting. It should take no longer than 30 minutes.

I don't know if you can choose not to take a Saint as a name.

Perhaps you can choose a Saint who herald from the location.

With love in Christ.

Answer 5

She should talk to her priest. Confirmation, like Baptism, is a one time sacrament. You could be her sponsor though. Talk to the priest. This is not all that unusual.