Read an Excerpt
CONFIRMATION
Anointed and Sealed with the Spirit
By Thomas H. Morris, Kathy Coffey Church Publishing Incorporated
Copyright © 2010 Thomas H. Morris and Kathy Coffey
All rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-60674-163-4
CHAPTER 1
How to Use This Resource
Confirmation: Anointed and Sealed with the Spirit is a confirmation preparation resource that a parish can use for children (approximately ages 7-12), youth (approximately ages 13-17) and adults who are baptized in the Roman Catholic Church and have already received a foundational catechesis in their Catholic faith.
Determining the appropriate preparedness of the candidates is essential before enrolling them in this sacramental preparation. Be sure to review your diocesan policies and norms regarding confirmation. This is especially important with regard to adults. Some adults should be enrolled in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) for confirmation, while other adults should be prepared through a separate process such as the one in this resource.
Adults who are unbaptized, adults baptized in another Christian tradition, and adults baptized in the Catholic tradition who are uncatechized are to be enrolled in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (see RCIA, nos. 400-410) rather than in a process as outlined in this resource.
Conversely, adults baptized in the Catholic Church who have received some training in their faith through catechetical formation but are not yet confirmed are not to be enrolled in the catechumenal process (RCIA) but in a separate and appropriate confirmation preparation similar to this. Different components help the parish community in its responsibility to provide an appropriate environment for sacramental preparation. Each component complements the others; a full preparation presumes all the components. These components include:
• the Leader's Guide
• a Rituals and Retreat book
• A Journal for Younger Candidates (ages 7-12)
• A Journal for Older Candidates (ages 13-17)
• A Journal for Adults
The parish gives each candidate one of the journals to assure personal involvement in and ownership of the process.
To help the catechist use this resource most productively, we divide this first chapter into four parts:
• Foundational Notes
• Resource Notes
• Methodological Notes
• Getting Started
We also include two charts (pp. 4-5) that offer models for using this resource in two different formats.
Foundational Notes
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults makes an important statement about the catechesis appropriate for initiation: "This catechesis leads the catechumens not only to an appropriate acquaintance with dogmas and precepts but also to a profound sense of the mystery of salvation in which they desire to participate" (RCIA, n. 75.1). Catholics do this primarily through word and sacrament: scripture and the primary liturgical symbols.
We can apply that same insight, nuanced appropriately, to any sacramental catechesis: the candidate is led to an appropriate knowledge of the intention of the sacrament, i.e., to a "profound sense of the mystery of salvation in which they desire to participate."
The scripture texts and the liturgical symbols of the sacrament are a primary source for catechesis and merit a thorough reflection by both catechist and candidate.
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults extends and broadens the catechesis: the rite presumes the candidate is just coming to faith and needs a substantial amount of time to mature in faith. Thus, in addition to the specific scripture texts assigned for the various rites during the initiation process, the rite also prescribes the entire liturgical year (and the corresponding scriptures) as a source for catechesis (see RCIA, n. 75).
The Rite of Confirmation does not have the same starting point as the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. The Rite of Confirmation presumes the candidate was baptized as an infant and raised within the Christian household of faith.
In the years between baptism and confirmation, the rite presumes ample opportunities for catechesis according to the age and ability of the individual.
Preparation for confirmation, therefore, is not considered a time to review a summary of all Christian teaching. If the candidate has not already been immersed in catechesis and worship on a regular basis, then the parish should attend to that before beginning preparation for the sacrament of confirmation.
Rather, the preparation for the celebration of the sacrament relies on the scriptures and ritual text for the Rite of Confirmation as the foundation for catechesis.
Therefore, each catechist will need to read and keep handy a copy of the Rite of Confirmation. Because this resource relies on the rite itself, being familiar with the ritual text is necessary for the catechist.
We recommend that catechists read the rite together well before the first catechetical gathering with the candidates. While a catechist may not directly explain the ritual text itself during the sacramental preparation, knowing the rite provides an important background.
We strongly encourage catechists to review the key documents of the church regarding confirmation. A review orients their understanding of the sacrament within the larger framework of the church's teaching.
To help catechists in this task, we have included in the Leader's Guide an appendix of "References to the Sacrament of Confirmation in Recent Documents of the Roman Catholic Church" (pp. 100-103).
We believe that sacramental preparation should focus on understanding the sacrament itself. Thus it occurs best within the total religious education offered by the parish. This general religious education provides the fundamental knowledge and faith formation that candidates need before enrolling in the confirmation process.
Thus we have designed this confirmation resource to supplement the normal parish religious education, not to replace it. That is why it does not take a whole year of preparation, nor does it confuse preparation for this sacrament with the on-going religious education and formation of candidates that is carried on by the various parish religious education programs.
We recognize, however, that many candidates for confirmation will, in fact, not have had this extended formation and essential catechesis.
Hence, we strongly encourage you to persuade any candidate who is not appropriately catechized to enter into the appropriate religious education program prior to beginning this sacramental preparation process.
We cannot emphasize enough that preparation for the sacrament of confirmation cannot be confused with the ongoing catechesis of the candidates provided by the parish or the diocese.
Resource Notes
Chapters Two and Three of the Leader's Guide provide a theological overview of the lectionary texts and the primary symbols of the Rite of Confirmation. These theological notes are essential for the catechist's understanding of each catechetical section. Catechists need to review them thoroughly. Reference will be made in other sections of the Leader's Guide to these theological considerations.
Chapters Four to Eight provide specific resources for the catechetical gatherings. Four of these gatherings occur before the celebration of the sacrament of confirmation, and one follows up on the experience of the candidates after they have celebrated the sacrament.
There are many possible formats for arranging the catechetical gatherings. The chart on page 4 offers two basic models. The condensed (1 to 1-1/2 hour) model covers one-half chapter in each gathering and provides some time for an opening or closing ritual. This model stretches the preparation time over a period of approximately 12 weeks.
The extended (full day) model organizes the preparation time over seven weeks. This format would include three hours of catechetical session (covering one full chapter), time for rituals and retreat material (see the Rituals and Retreats book for practical suggestions), and social time (breakfast, lunch or dinner potluck). The chart on page 5 suggests how the seven week extended model can be planned in connection with the weeks of the Easter season.
In addition, you may want to have a preparatory gathering in the week prior to celebrating confirmation. Suggestions for preparation for the Rite of Confirmation can be found in the Rituals and Retreat book on page 60.
The Rituals and Retreats book also contains a variety of supplemental retreat plans that could be used at any time in the process of preparing for or reflecting on the celebration.
We divide each chapter of resources for the catechetical gatherings in the Leader's Guide in the following way:
• Theological Summary: This offers a general overview of the chapter to give the catechist a focus.
• Catechetical Summary: This lists the key points covered in the catechetical activities.
• Adult Reflection: This gives the catechist an adult life experience model to engage in conversation with the theology of the rite. (Note: The parish can also use this reflection piece with parents, sponsors and adult candidates. We provide a reproducible copy at the end of the Leader's Guide on pages 95-99.)
• Theological Background: Building on the previous theological reflection (Chapters Two and Three, on the lectionary texts and symbols), this section focuses the theological content for the catechetical gathering. This serves as a background for the catechist; it is presumed the catechist will not read this section to the candidates.
Confirmation Preparation Time Line
The condensed (1 to 1-1/2 hour) model covers one half chapter and provides some time for an opening or closing ritual.
The extended full day model could include three hours of catechetical session (one full chapter), time for rituals and retreat material, and social time (breakfast, lunch or dinner potluck).
The Extended Gathering Model: Suggested Schedule for the Easter Season
Fill in the blank spaces below with the calendar dates for the catechetical gatherings and sacramental celebration of Confirmation in your parish
• Catechetical Activities: The activities are divided according to ages: children (7-12), youth (13-17) and adult.
Methodological Notes
The sections on the lectionary, primary symbols and theological foundations contain many rich teachings on confirmation. The challenge is "breaking open" this material. How can catechists, sponsors and parents encourage candidates for confirmation to take ownership of their heritage and make their sacramental preparation more meaningful?
If the task seems daunting, two thoughts may bring reassurance. First, the candidate approaches the sacrament freely, of his or her own volition. (Some parents may need a gentle reminder that canon law respects the autonomy of the candidate in the decision to be confirmed.)
Much as the well-meaning catechist wants to help, if the candidates are to find meaning in this process, their initiative and involvement are crucial. Unlike the "quick fixes" touted by our culture, this preparation requires the serious investment of the candidate's time in discussion, reflection, journaling, apprenticeship and prayer. Without it, the world's finest catechist would be hampered.
Second, anxious overachievers in the catechetical department may need to remind themselves that all is grace. We can neither earn nor merit God's gifts that fall on us freely as sunshine or snow. We respond to this gracious divine presence, but we never deserve such abundance.
With those qualifications in mind, we turn to the task of translating the theological foundations for younger candidates (ages 7-12), older candidates (ages 13-17) or adults. What follows does not fit the traditional "lesson plan" style where we instruct the catechist to follow a certain sequence of activities. Many people have found such an approach ineffective, a straitjacket that rarely fits their participants. Even if a certain style does work once, it is likely to change the following year, when the candidates are completely different!
Instead, we provide many options. The choices catechists make depend on several factors:
• group size
• maturity level
• relationships
• skills
• trust level based on previous experiences together, background and interests
Within Chapters Five, Six and Seven are activities marked:
• Theology
• Scripture
• Symbol
Choose at least one activity from each section, so that candidates fully cover all aspects. There are no explicit links among the three headings. Rather, they are presented more as a mosaic. Over time, the various parts will be pieced together, but they are not necessarily connected to each other. By the time candidates celebrate the sacrament, they will have been catechized on its underlying theology, all the scripture readings given in the lectionary as options for the celebration, and the symbols used in the ritual actions. In the gatherings after the celebration, they break open the meaning of the sacrament by reflecting on its impact on their lives.
Catechists will need to gather for catechist formation a number of times before the first gathering with the candidates. (For a suggested schedule see chart on page 5.) During initial meetings, catechists review the issues noted above in the "Foundational Notes" and each section of the resource. The latter gatherings can be focused on preparing for the catechetical gatherings.
Catechists should consider what works best with their particular groups: individual reflection or journaling, discussion with a partner, small group or large group participation. Catechists who know the need for variety will mix activities that appeal to both extroverts and introverts, auditory and visual learners. They will alternate quieter activities with more vocal ones, movement with stillness, and individual reflection with group interaction. If adults are present for gatherings, catechists should not allow them to dominate the discussion.
While sponsors represent the larger church community, they are not the candidates' only community. Sample bulletin announcements are provided to help the larger community stay in touch with the candidates process (see Chapter 9).
After each gathering, consider these questions, either alone, with the candidates or with the team.
• What worked well in this gathering? less well?
• What might be done differently next time?
• What issues surfaced in this gathering that we will want to address or follow up next gathering?
• What planning needs to be done now for the next gathering?
• What shall we think about and pray about before we meet again?
The Confirmation Candidate's Journal is a critical component in preparing candidates for the sacrament of confirmation. Journals are available for younger candidate (ages 7-12), older candidates (13-17) and adults. The Journal is not optional; it is integral to a holistic approach to preparing candidates for confirmation in a manner that honors the individual and the Catholic sacramental tradition:
• First, it echoes the theology of confirmation that undergirds the series, exploring theological concepts, scriptural foundations, ritual symbols and actions proper to the sacrament.
• Second, it reinforces the catechetical gatherings.
• Third, it facilitates relationship building.
The suggested activities provide concrete examples of abstract concepts in an interactive context. These activities are designed to help a candidate understand confirmation as one of three sacraments of initiation at a level appropriate to the individual's age and stage of development.
Getting Started
Now it is time to begin the preparation for confirmation. Here are a few ideas to get you started: (Check the appropriate box as each is S=scheduled or C=completed.)
(Continues...)
Excerpted from CONFIRMATION by Thomas H. Morris, Kathy Coffey. Copyright © 2010 Thomas H. Morris and Kathy Coffey. Excerpted by permission of Church Publishing Incorporated.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.
